Imagine you've won big on the lottery. An amount so obscene that, after grafting for countless years, the word "hedonism" (pleasure-seeking, self-indulgence, high-living) can now come into play.
Visions of lifestyles of the rich and famous (champagne wishes and caviar dreams) dance before your eyes.
Okay, your conscience is probably ranting on about investing wisely, for the kids' education et al. But, go away, don't annoy us, we're on a roll here. We all need to go the outrageously extravagant route at least once in a lifetime. Read on to find out where you might want to spend some of those righteously-gotten gains.
Le Touessrok in Mauritius has picked up some splendid accolades over the years, including "The Best Hotel in the World" and "The World's Most Romantic Hotel".
Earlier this year the ultra- chic, exclusive resort won the top award for "Best Hotel in Mauritius", in the Europe and Africa Property Awards 2009. The news probably did not come as a great surprise to a slew of celebs, tycoons, sheikhs and other seriously moneyed types who have slipped into one of the three secluded private villas nestled within this flagship holiday resort.
At €12 000 (about R132 000) a day for six to eight luxury-seekers, this is high living with a capital H.
Situated on the east coast of Mauritius, 50 minutes from the airport, Le Touessrok is ensconced within the secluded, palm-fringed Trou d'eau Douce bay.
The reef keeps the waters safe, and the ocean plays ball by remaining azure and mirror flat much of the time.
The rich, famous and low-key multimillionaires all come here.
Picture it: Naomi, Whitney, Liv - sniffing the frangipani as they enter the resort, passing the lantern-lit ancient banyan tree and crossing over the feng shui bridge.
The list of those who have lived large at Le Touessrok includes wayward supermodel Naomi Campbell; Virgin mogul Richard Branson (yes, he has his own island, Nekker, but, he's also a fan and highly complimentary in the guest book); Liv Tyler, the face of Givenchy, who recently launched a perfume at the hotel; the fashion industry's hottest coupling, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (before the much mulled-over split); the ever youthful Joan Collins; a Spice Girl or two; Whitney Houston (de-stressing before she started on her comeback trail?); Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew (some time ago - they were on honeymoon); and that old glam rocker, Bryan Ferry (one of many celebs who partied at the 2002 relaunch).
Four-letter-word-flinging super-chef Gordon Ramsay and wife Tana were booked in for a "lavish break" last Christmas, but news of Ramsay's alleged extramarital fling put the kybosh on the trip.
Of late, singer Alesha Dixon (firm favourite to win the Strictly Come Dancing series currently showing on BBC Entertainment) was a guest and kept the bar booming for three nights, dancing and performing. Playing that cheesy "five points of separation from a celeb" game, I discovered that the masseur pummelling my back, at the Givenchy spa, had also pummelled US superstar Anastasia. Sadly, not Brad Pitt, but one can't have it all...
Of course, those making the villas their temporary luxury home aren't necessarily famous. Many are low profile, such as an incoming sheikh and his three wives.
I am keen to know about their bedroom arrangements... Each beautifully decorated, six-to-eight-person villa has two master bedrooms and a third double queen.
Sadly, villa manager Michael Wildmoser (who has worked in a similar field in the US and Caribbean) is the soul of discretion.
Like Fawlty Towers's Manuel, he knows "nothing". On call 24/7, his job is to anticipate the guests' every whim. Staff are vetted and re-vetted. Nothing will leak out about naked cavorting in pools or other such flagrant hedonism.
What happens at the villas stays in the villas. Here, the guest is king.
That 1,5kg tuna the excited guest caught... Wildmoser and the staff will know all about it (and be ready to congratulate and suggest culinary ideas) before the homeward-bound boat even hits the shore.
The rich kids upset that they weren't catching fish? The staff build a "fish cage" for perfect catch-and-release.
Satisfaction guaranteed? Let's just say that the villas have many impressed guests who constantly return.
What's not to like?
A private kitchen with a Michelin-star chef ensconced. Chef caters for everything, from fine dining to plain "comfort food", any time of day or night.
"You want breakfast at 4pm, a braai at 9am or a celebrator three-course dinner at 3am? No problem."
Ready to pander are four gorgeous butlers, working seven days a week. High-rolling guests like staff continuity.
Then there is the pristine, private beach, the perfectly manicured garden, all with discreet security - not even a voluptuous Bond girl, slinking out of the ocean, could get through this lot.
The beach, "lapped by the azure waters of the Indian ocean" (I can vouch for the lapping) is just beyond your heated infinity pool. Your jacuzzi bubbles away underneath your hammock.
After tanning, tennis, water sports, yachting, a shopping spree or golf at the Bernhard Langer-designed course (on the Ile aux Cerfs island - a story in itself), you can sashay through to one of three bathrooms and into the dino-egg-shaped bath, drawn by the butler, who has fluffed the bubbles.
Prefer a shower? Choose between indoor or an outdoor "waterfall shower". And you won't miss any TV - there's a flat screen in the bathroom.
As for your clothes, from those mountains of suitcases, Carrie and those Sex and the City girls would die for this huge walk-in closet.
If you must keep up with your stocks and shares or that rumoured nomination for your latest showbiz foray, there's a computer hook up and WiFi Internet.
Thinking of booking? With high season looming, the villas are, pretty much, full until Easter.
As for the rest of us, there is an affordable Le Touessrok experience.
Connected by two carved wooden bridges, there are 200 rooms and luxury suites, on Frangipani Island, Coral Beach and Hibiscus Beach.
Depending on high or low season, the rates range from R5 000 a day (a suite for two) to around R7 000 a day.
What are you paying for?
Well, you still get those luxury touches.
Everywhere I turned there was a charming chap proffering a neatly rolled cold towel, spraying rose water in my face or just dying to clean my sunglasses, (R5 from Clicks, not exactly Cartier).
Every time I returned to my room my loo roll was folded into a neat point. It's those little things.
That dino-egg-shaped bath, a bed with super-soft linen and a view of the ocean and clean beach (two Blue Flags).
Partied too hard the night before? Order in. Breakfast arrives borne by the delectable, super-efficient butler.
Technology-wise, like the villas, each room has a DVD player, wi-fi, and all the right plugs - so no adaptors are needed.
Then there's the food.
Six restaurants, all with superb views and run under the expertise of another dish - executive chef Barnaby Jones, who oversees all the outlets, plus those on the resort's islands.
As one UK guest told me, "the staff are absolutely amazing, they can't do enough for you - and the food! You can just come here for the food. I compare it with going to Harrods' food hall - with all these restaurants, they cater for every taste."
The choice is huge, and it's good to note that much effort is made to support local farmers, via sourcing products grown on the island, although, making sure of the best on offer, smoked salmon is flown in weekly from the UK, beef fillet from Australia.
To mention just two, fine dining at Barlens restaurant and bar offers an exotic tasting menu, whereas The Safran (a "jewel", according to the same guest) offers fabulous Indian food.
The Three Nine Eight dining room caters for more mainstream. The food at every venue is superb and beautifully presented.
Like it al fresco?
Take a five-minute boat ride and try lunch at one of two restaurants on Ilot Mangenie, the resort's private island.
The island is also one of many venues where PR manager Karen Joorun arranges weddings, specially tailored for each couple, many of whom are South Africans.
Mauritius plus Le Touessrok - that's one helluva combination.
This trip for the Daily News was sponsored by Air Mauritius, Sun Resorts, World Leisure Holidays and Avis Chauffeurs.
