Interview: Aditya Vikram Pandey, General Manager, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius
The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius, is a luxurious 5-star hotel located on the northwest coast of the island. Set on 20 acres of lush subtropical gardens, it borders the pristine shores of Turtle Bay, a protected marine park. The resort features 600 metres of oceanfront and a clear, tranquil lagoon. It combines natural beauty, distinctive architecture, and exceptional hospitality.
At its helm is Aditya Vikram Pandey, a hotelier who exemplifies The Oberoi’s commitment to intuitive service and understated luxury. Aditya’s leadership focuses on craftsmanship and human connection, ensuring a seamless and personally cared-for experience for every guest.
In this conversation, he reflects on the essence of hospitality, the spirit of Mauritius, and what makes The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius so special.
If you could describe The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius in three words, what would they be?
It is difficult to summarise The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius in just three words, but if I must, I would say timeless, experiential, and welcoming. The resort embodies a sense of quiet luxury where time slows down, and every interaction feels personal and meaningful.
What does a typical day as General Manager of The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius, look like?
No two days are ever alike, and that is the beauty of working in hospitality. My day begins at 8.30AM with a review of guest feedback from the previous day, understanding what delighted our guests and what could be improved.
At 8.45AM, I meet with our Heads of Department for a morning briefing to align on priorities and ensure every department is coordinated in delivering seamless guest experiences.
Between 9AM and 10.30AM, I spend time in the restaurant engaging with guests over breakfast. This direct connection helps us understand their expectations and often opens the door to creating thoughtful, personalised moments during their stay.
Late morning is reserved for correspondence, and a property walk, not just to review maintenance or presentation but to experience the resort as a guest might. Around midday, I personally bid farewell to departing guests, gather feedback, and thank them for choosing to stay with us.
Lunch with the team is something I value deeply as it’s a moment of connection beyond work. The afternoon brings new arrivals, internal meetings, and planning for the next day’s operations.
Evenings are special. I make it a point to be present in the restaurant and bar, overseeing service and personally interacting with guests as the resort transitions into its most magical hours. The sound of the ocean, the laughter of guests, and the glow of candlelight are when the Oberoi spirit truly comes alive.
What makes this property special to you personally?
Overlooking the serene Turtle Bay, the resort holds a rare balance between luxury and tranquility. It’s one of the island’s most romantic escapes, yet it warmly welcomes families who return year after year, generation after generation.
What makes it special to me is the emotional connection guests build with the resort. They remember the people, not just the place, the team members who remembered their preferences, the gardener who greeted them every morning, the chef who recreated their favourite dish. That enduring bond is what makes this property truly exceptional.
Are there any hidden gems in the hotel that guests should explore?
There are many, but perhaps the most cherished is the sense of discovery that unfolds naturally as guests wander the resort. With over 20 acres of subtropical gardens and 600 metres of pristine white sand beach, each pathway reveals something new, a quiet sculpture, a hidden hammock, or a view framed perfectly by nature.
For those seeking adventure, our partnership with a local PADI dive centre allows guests to explore the island’s underwater treasures, from coral gardens to night dives and even shark safaris. The marine life around Mauritius is extraordinary, and we encourage guests to experience its beauty firsthand.
If you could recommend just one unforgettable experience for a guest staying at The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius, what would it be and why?
The Touching Senses programme. It embodies everything we stand for, connection, mindfulness, and immersion in local culture.
Guests can choose from a series of deeply enriching experiences, from stargazing sessions that weave in ancient Hindu mythology to temple visits, painting classes, and cooking demonstrations. It’s not about ticking boxes of activities, but about helping guests reconnect with nature, creativity, and themselves.
Families often tell us that it becomes the most meaningful part of their holiday, a shared memory that lingers long after they return home.
The Oberoi brand is renowned for its exceptional service. How do you ensure that every guest feels personally cared for during their stay?
At Oberoi, we believe that true luxury lies in sincerity. Every guest should feel that their experience has been created uniquely for them.
Our approach is not formulaic. We empower our teams to listen, observe, and act with intuition. Whether it’s arranging a last-minute private dinner under the stars or remembering how a guest takes their morning tea, these small gestures make a profound difference.
We also invest deeply in training, not just in skill but in mindset, nurturing attentiveness, humility, and a genuine sense of care. The result is service that feels effortless because it comes from the heart.
What first drew you to a career in hospitality, and what continues to inspire you each day in this industry?
My journey into hospitality began with curiosity. I was fascinated by the dynamic environment of hotels, the energy, the diversity of people, and the opportunity to make a difference in real time.
What continues to inspire me today is the balance between precision and emotion. Each day presents a new challenge, a new story, and a new connection. The satisfaction of seeing a guest smile because of something you and your team created is incredibly fulfilling.
Hospitality at its best is not a business; it’s a craft of care and human connection. That philosophy continues to guide me every single day.
Can you share a dish or dining moment at The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius that you feel best represents the island’s spirit?
The Caraille Creole Dinner Experience at The Gunpowder Room beautifully captures the essence of Mauritius. Set within a restored 18th-century French colonial structure, it’s a culinary journey through the island’s soul, intimate, vibrant, and full of character.
Our chefs reinterpret traditional Creole cuisine with refined artistry. The highlight is the Slow-Cooked Octopus Vindaye, tender Indian Ocean octopus infused with mustard, turmeric, and local spices. It’s served with braised taro leaves and a medley of homemade relishes that evoke the warmth and depth of Mauritian home cooking.
Dessert is a celebration of nostalgia, a trio of island favourites: banana tart, cassava cake, and sweet potato cake. Each dish tells a story of heritage, flavour, and pride.
What do you hope guests remember most when they leave The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius?
I hope they leave feeling truly cared for, relaxed, reconnected, and enriched. Whether they arrived seeking solitude, romance, or family time, we want them to take home a sense of peace and belonging.
Guests often tell us that the warmth of our people stays with them long after their holiday ends. That, more than anything else, is what we strive for, that emotional connection which defines The Oberoi experience.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a General Manager at a luxury hotel?
Be curious, be compassionate, and never lose sight of the guest. Success in hospitality isn’t about hierarchy; it’s about service, learning, and leadership through empathy.
Listen more than you speak. Observe everything, how people move through spaces, what makes them smile, what disrupts their comfort. Every detail matters.
And most importantly, inspire your team. Lead by example, with humility and grace. In luxury hospitality, your people will only care for guests as well as you care for them.
When you reflect on your time here, what makes you proudest about leading The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius?
When I look back, what makes me proudest is not a single moment or achievement, but the culture we have built together.
Our team exemplifies what The Oberoi brand stands for, intuitive service, quiet confidence, and a deep sense of pride in what we do. I have seen them go above and beyond countless times, not because it was expected, but because it felt right.
From organising a private screening of a rugby match by the beach to surprising a guest with a special anniversary dinner, every gesture comes from a place of sincerity. That is the Oberoi difference, service that is thoughtful, unscripted, and deeply human.
Our culinary excellence continues to shine, from degustation dinners in The Gunpowder Room to our ‘On the Rocks’ barbecue evenings under the stars. And when challenges arise, we handle them with grace, turning moments of inconvenience into opportunities for trust.
What makes me proudest is that our guests describe the resort as peaceful, refined, and civilised, words that perfectly capture the spirit of The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius. This is the result of consistency, care, and quiet leadership.
The big achievements matter, of course, but it is the small, everyday acts of kindness and excellence that make this place truly special. That is what makes me proud to lead it.
Read our full review of our stay at The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius, here.
For more information, visit https://www.oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-mauritius/.
