The new hotel brand Salt will open its first property, the 59-room Salt of Palmar, in Mauritius on Nov. 1.
The hotel brand describes itself as having a "humanistic approach to hospitality" and to connect its guests to locals and their way of life, placing them "in the action, not just beside it."
Paul Jones, Salt's creator and CEO of the Lux Collective, said: "When deciding on the location for our very first Salt hotel, it had to be Mauritius. An exotic, volcanic beauty drenched in history and modern culture, Mauritius has much to offer beyond its picture-perfect beaches, and its people are some of the most welcoming and passionate I have ever met. It's a destination ripe for exploration too often overlooked by those who think it's just for lazing on a beach. Salt of Palmar will be a gateway for discovering the real Mauritius, designed to disrupt those preconceived notions and attract a different type of traveler to the island."
Salt guests will be immersed in the heart of Mauritian life, with the opportunity to connect directly with locals via Skill Swap. This means they exchange their time, talent and skills with the local people. Guests of Salt can also join local suppliers and see their work or passion. From pottery with Janine at her Pamplemousses studio or early morning fishing with Kishor, to coaching the local football team with Fabrice or basket weaving with Mrs. Bulleeram in Brisee Verdiere.
Every guest will receive a copy of "This is Mauritius," a new guidebook created by locals. Maps, local SIM cards and the Salt app unearth the local knowledge on hidden gems. The hotel's fleet of convertibles or bikes can be hired to explore nearby villages, temples and markets.
Salt adheres to slow food travel movement and will offer fresh, local, homemade, seasonal food with zero waste.
The team of all-Mauritian chefs will design the daily-changing menus around whatever the farmers, fishermen and growers bring in that day.
Rates start from $200 per double room, per night on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information, visit www.saltresorts.com.