We stayed at the residence for our honeymoon in november and had an amazing time.they welcome you with a cocktail! The room was a garden view one and was lovely though the bathroom was the biggest we have ever been in. the beach was beautiful and water was warm , although you do get a lot of beach sellers going up and down. The tours are easy to book from the hotel and the staff and locals were lovely and always there ready to help.
The best thing i think me and my husband would agree on would be the breakfast buffet and the watersport facilities. The hotel has two restaurants,we preferred the plantation restaurant as it was on the beach overlooking the ocean. Expect this hotel to be expensive as it is a 5 star but worth it we'd say.

My wife and I stayed here in November at the end of our honeymoon, after a hectic schedule we thought this would be the ideal place to unwind, we were also excited after reading the great reviews.

The journey on the way to the resort was something nightmares are made of, I know this is not the fault of the hotel, but part of our experience. Our driver decide to have occasional naps whilst driving! We tried to keep him talking so he could stay awake! On the times he was awake we did ascertain that the local Creole food was spicy and that the fish is a specialty on the island. (there is a point to that last statement!)

Upon arrival we where greeted by smiling pleasant staff, the room was lovely and they had laid on a small chicken salad which was ideal after the hour journey from the airport.

We supposedly had a full sea view room, it was never a full sea room, I'd have to hang over the balcony and crook my neck to the right for the full view.

We made our way to the dining hall for breakfast where we asked for our room number, but not only once but on every occasion we sat back down, or had a coffee or picked up the paper. Most probably at least 8 times! Again this is a minor niggle.

We were VIP so our lunch was included but the drinks where a rip off, approx £4 a coke. This is pretty basic bar food ,burgers, pizza etc

The clincher was the evening meal, we were half board, the menu is separated into the Chefs special, the set menu and a various list of other choices. Firstly you can not have the chefs special unless you have booked it 24hrs in advance (but they do not say anywhere what the Chef special is so you have to book it on good faith) The set menu was not that appetising so we decided to choose from the menu, to then be told we would charged as most of the things in the menu were not covered by our budget (there was me thinking we were half board and dinner would be included) The starters where priced around £40! The 'Budget basically did not cover anything other than Risotto or Gnocci. (We've eaten at the Burj al Arab and no starter there is £40! and the Burj al Arab they are not!) When the food was served it was bland, looking like some and vomited it onto the plate and had clearly been sitting in the pot for a couple of hours, the 'tiger prawns' where doing their best imitation of a shrimp! We then complained, all we got was a sorry and then they run for the hills!

We complained quite a few times, but nothing is ever done. This is the first time I have felt compelled to right a review. We live in Dubai and are slightly spoiled for service but seriously this place is a supposed 5 star fawlty towers, it became laughable in the end (otherwise we would have cried)

I feel sorry for couples that have saved up to stay here, booked half board, then to be completed robbed of cash as they have no other choice.

As I have mentioned I complained many times, to no avail, and I suppose this will not get their attention either.

Just returned from 8 nights at The Residence. Our experience reflects most of the previous reviewers. We travelled with 3 adult children (20,18,16) who were very well catered for by the excellent water sports(included) on offer at the yatch club. Our middle daughter has severe learning difficulties and we were overwhelmed by the kindness and thought shown to her by all the staff. They even fashioned a bed guard for her so that she could not fall out of bed. We changed her half board arrangement so that she, and her carer, could eat their evening meal at 6pm from an extensive menu at the poolside restaurant. The one flaw in this otherwise perfect setting is the eye watering prices of lunch (bowl of veggie pasta 790 MUR - £15plus)
Coke - £4 Coffee - £6. Whilst it is expected that imported goods will carry a premium these prices are exploitative! I would recommend The Residence - however do not go during high season as the extras can turn an otherwise lovely experience sour.

Stayed here with my new husband on our honeymoon. The staff are charming and common parts of the hotel are very attractive. Our room was nice, if a bit sparse, and I personally found the bed to be very hard and uncomfortable.

However, as we were only on half-board we were very disappointed to learn of the prices in the restaurants for lunch- burgers were nearly £20 and a magnum icecream cost nearly £6. I don't appreciate being taken advantage of in this way- so I would advise people to stay full board or go elsewhere! The prices were a real shame as the staff were some of the most attentive and hardworking that I have experienced.

Breakfast was excellent, as were the hotel buffets we went to. There were quite a number of families with small children there during our stay (we expected only honeymooners so were rather surprised) but there seemed to be staff on hand to amuse them for most of the day.

All in all, I personally wouldn't go back!