Starwood Resorts Mauritius, comprised of The St. Regis Mauritius Resort, The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa Mauritius, and Le Méridien Ile Maurice, held their inaugural Governor’s Ball on Saturday, September 26th at The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa Mauritius. This was the first time the three resorts have come together to combine their efforts for such an important cause. This occasion was to benefit UNICEF’s WASH Project
which brings clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities to children and families in the Middle East & Africa.
In 2015, Starwood Hotels & Resorts & UNICEF celebrate a 20 year partnership, and in that time, have raised USD 30 million globally, enough to improve the lives of 4.5 million children around the world. Just USD 1 (Rs 35), can help provide 9 children with safe drinking water for one month.
The fundraiser was held in the Banyan Tree Ballroom with 200 guests in attendance. Tickets included a cocktail hour, 5-course dinner with wine, a live auction, and entry into a grand prize raffle for two round trip tickets on Emirates to Dubai, and 4 nights at the Grosvenor House Dubai, a Starwood Luxury Collection property.
The evening began with a champagne cocktail hour in the Retreat Bar with the acoustic stylings of Eric Triton. Local radio personality Hassen Rajoa, held the Master of Ceremony duties, while also facilitating the live auction. There were a total of 9 auction items; including a Birthday Party for 20 children at the Le Meridien Ile Maurice, two round trip tickets to Reunion or Rodrigues sponsored by Air Mauritius, a Garmin VIRD Action Camera from Poseidon Water, a 2 nights’ stay in the St. Regis 4 Bedroom Villa and more. The total auction brought in over USD 9200 (Rs 300,000) for a total of Before drawing the grand prize raffle to Dubai, Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Area Director for the Indian Ocean, Damon Page, wished to thank all those who came out to support UNICEF, and announced that not having yet tallied additional beverage sales; “The inaugural Governor’s Ball has raised over USD 21,000 (Rs 735,000), which is enough to help 189,000 children for one month.”
The night continued with guests and sponsors making their way to Mystique, Westin’s contemporary beach lounge, or Retreat Bar, where beverage sales would further support UNICEF’s WASH Project. The final calculation for donations made during the Governor’s Ball is USD 25,022 (Rs 825,000).
Sponsors for the event included Impact Productions, Emirates Airlines, Grays, Poseidon Water, Oxenham, Air Mauritius & Air Mauritius Helicopters, Natureland Products, Orange Grey, and Poster Graphics.
