Photo: Anisha Shah
exhibiting art, rum, cigars, coffee and local
food produce. At the same time, it is international in flavour, pulling in tourists from
Europe and the Americas. Mukul has no
peers. It started from scratch in the luxury 5*
category, training local people in hospitality
by opening a dedicated school. Importing the
best from around the globe, I laugh at
the story of the architects and designers
being stopped at customs, having to explain
the purpose of the imported Vichy multispray showerheads.
The day I arrive, Nicaragua’s famous Esteli
cigars are being demonstrated by a roller and
cutter in the lobby. Few people know this but
Nicaraguan cigars are as highly regarded as
Cubans. In Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars in
the World 2014, 10 Nicaraguan Cigars placed
from No 2 onward. The range is made in the
Esteli region of Nicaragua and they have a
smoky and rich. The Placencia brand is the
largest, with it’s factory employing more than
100,000 people.
Mukul’s golf course is perfectly challenging
and beautifully manicured. On my morning
half-game, I choose the scenic segment,
ending by the beach. My instructor is fantastic
and has me perfecting my swing within
minutes. Considerately, it ends by the beach
bar for a refreshing post-game cooler.
‘Temples’ are the name allocated to Mukul’s
multiple award-winning spa and it’s six selfcontained sensory themes. Housed in separate
buildings, each the crowning glory of Mukul’s
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