With the decline in the sugar industry and the closing of the old Bel Ombre sugar processing factory being the main source of employment in the area, less than a decade ago things looked very bleak indeed for the future of the Bel Ombre region and the local population in this undeveloped area of Mauritius.

Bel Ombre Sugar Estate, the main land owners in the area, realised that something drastic had to be done to reinvent the area and to move it away from its dependence upon the declining sugar cane industry. A bold plan was hatched to move the national road away from the sea, thereby unlocking access to the sea frontage and converting land previously used to grow sugar cane into land suitable for the construction of major luxury hotels.

With the assistance of government the road was moved and the group kick started the development by the construction of two luxury hotels the, 180 room, 4* Heritage hotel and the magnificent 165 room 5* colonial Le Telfair Hotel. Two further luxury hotels have since been built, with a number more already under construction or planned for the immediate future.

In order to support the hotels, a spectacular 18 hole championship golf course was designed and built by Peter Matkovich, the renowned South African designer. This course, together with its own driving range, clubhouse and nine hole par three course was completed some two years ago to coincide with the opening of the hotels. At substantial cost, the dilapidated historic colonial Plantation Chateau was totally refurbished to its former glory, and this now forms the focal point of the estate as a fine dining experience, with the top floor presently used as the "Villas Valriche" sales centre. The golf course proudly bears its name - "Golf du Chateau Bel Ombre"

The walls and some of the machinery of the old Bel Ombre sugar processing factory have been retained and a local shopping and entertainment complex is being planned to cater for the needs of the Villas Valriche residents, the rapidly expanding hotel guests and the increasing number of tourists to the area.

Bel Ombre offers a unique development opportunity, as the vast majority of the facilities are already in place and operational. The latest step in the expansion of the region is the logical development of the Villas Valriche Residential Estate, consisting of 288 Mauritian style villas situated on the gentle slopes surrounding the golf course, with magnificent views to the beach and Indian Ocean beyond.

In terms of Mauritian laws and regulations, very few residential schemes have been granted the right to construct and sell freehold villas to overseas buyers. These schemes need to be approved as an Integrated Resort; Villas Valriche has all the necessary approvals in place to enable sales to commence and construction to start.

The Future for Bel Ombre

As Bel Ombre Sugar Estate owns the majority of the surrounding land, master planning is already underway to design a second golf course and, if and when Governmental approvals are forthcoming, more residential and tourist development, with the possibility of a small boat marina.