Stay in Paradise: The best hotels in Mauritius

Occupying its own private peninsula on the northernmost point of Mauritius, the Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel is a picturesque adults-only retreat with an abundance of luxurious facilities to make the most of the tropical climate. It boasts its own private beach with activities ranging from snorkelling to catamaran cruising, not to mention facilities such as a spa, four restaurants and bars that make for perfect evenings under the stars. All guest rooms are super stylish with luxuries such as balconies, modern gadgetry and workspaces. Despite being able to offer guests all the finer things in life, the Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel places focus on sustainability, with initiatives such as a recycling programme and ingredients sourced from local farmers.

The hotel’s palm-studded beach is lapped by the temperate waters of the Indian Ocean and features a three-tiered waterfall pool that’s fed with fresh seawater. On the peninsula, you can dip into an infinity pool that’s heated in winter and offers views stretching out across the ocean to the uninhabited islets of Mauritius. There’s also a main pool surrounded by loungers and a small lap pool closer to the suites. Head to the spa to dip in the plunge pool before being treated to a massage curated by Parisian brand Cinq Mōndes. When you want to escape the sun, you can look forward to a bathtub, double shower and a terrace at your suite. Opt for an upgraded room at the peninsula’s farthest end, and you’ll gain more seclusion and unobstructed views of the cove.

With four distinctive restaurants, Paradise Cove caters to the pallets of all guests. For a contemporary Mauritian breakfast or seafood dinner with Indian influences, grab a table at the Dining Room, which features a crisp interior with spacious balconies and cove views. At the XO restaurant, you can dig into sashimi and sushi, while you can enjoy tapas-style bites with sundowners by the pool at the Peninsula Restaurant. The Cove, however, is the hotel’s culinary showpiece, serving exquisite seafood concoctions like the vanilla-flavoured lobster on avocado tartar.

Situated within 60 acres of tropical gardens fringed by white sand on a secluded and sheltered peninsula, One&Only Le Saint Géran has been a style icon of Mauritius for over five decades, particularly since its USD 55 million-dollar makeover in 2017. This resort hotel draws inspiration from colonial-style architecture with contemporary touches, while new structural additions reimagine the original plantation houses and sugar cane factories of Mauritius. 142 accommodation options feature terraces or balconies with lagoon views, and the beachfront rooms are just steps from the resort’s private beach. There are also two infinity pools – not including the one at the spa – that provide panoramic lagoon views.

The spa at One&Only Le Saint Géran is home to 12 treatment rooms, an adults-only spa and a hammam. Traditional Mauritian treatments make use of coconut, honey and sugar body scrubs plus the likes of hot volcanic stones for chakra-balancing massages. After a rejuvenating spa experience or day on the private beach, indulge in exquisite food at one of five revered restaurants. The Tapasake restaurant showcases Japanese fusion cuisine while Le Badamier’s menu takes inspiration from southern France and Italy. La Terrasse is a top breakfast and dinner spot with stunning bay views, and you can feast on beachside grilled delights at La Pointe. End the night with a dance and a signature Coco Palms cocktail at Le Badamier, La Terrasse or La Pointe.

The Contance Prince Maurice is a 6-star hotel resort perched on the northeast coast of Mauritius. Besides private, white-sand beaches, the Prince Maurice boasts 89 suites and villas plus three restaurants, a luxurious spa, and a host of tropical gardens that occupy 60 hectares of unspoiled land that’s sheltered from the island’s prevailing winds. Almost all colonial-style accommodation options feature interiors of parquet floors and warm orange hues under thatched roofs. Some suites and villas are just a stone’s throw from the resort’s private beach, while others rest on stilts above scenic mangroves. The Princely Villa is one of Mauritius’s most exclusive places to stay, with two pools, three terraces, its own beach, and a round-the-clock butler.

Regardless of your accommodation choice, you can expect to feel pampered for the duration of your stay at Contance Prince Maurice, which employs nearly two members of staff for every guest. Besides sunbathing and swimming in the infinity pool, the resort’s activities include kitesurfing, water skiing and paddle boarding. There are also two championship golf courses plus a spa that offers manicures through to Sisley anti-ageing treatments. For food, you have three restaurant options, the most notable being the Le Barachois floating seafood restaurant and bar, accessible via a lantern-lit boardwalk that traverses the mangroves. The resort is also home to a wine cellar with room for up to 25,000 bottles as well as a candle-lit dining area on the beach.

The Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, which is one of three heritage hotels on the island of Mauritius, hosts an 18-hole golf course that has been named the best course in the Indian Ocean. It’s also home to an exclusive but narrow white sand beach that enjoys the current of the island’s southwest coast, making it a top choice for those who love water sports like water skiing and kitesurfing. Besides sporting activities, Heritage Le Telfair boasts its own whole-body wellness and healing spa, mountain and lagoon views, and a nature reserve that can be explored on foot or during an off-road adventure. Its 158 colonial/tropical suites feature ocean or garden views, and some extend out onto the beach. Nearby attractions include the UNESCO-listed Biosphere Bel Ombre and two other heritage hotels, which together provide guests with 12 fine-dining options.

Head to Heritage Le Château de Bel Ombre to order from the extensive wine menu, or grab a table a Gin’ja to enjoy a unique tepinyaki experience. La Plage is the place to go for picnic-style treats, while Boma at Heritage Awali specialises in African specialities with fresh game. There are also breakfast diners, Mauritian restaurants, Creole food houses and a beach club overlooking the ocean. Purchase the all-inclusive Gourmet Bliss package to feast on treats from all 12 diners during your stay at the Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort.

Nestled in the rolling hills of the southwest of Mauritius at an altitude of 400 metres, Lakaz Chamarel is a uniquely bohemian resort with 20 lodges that represent the island’s diverse cultures. Each lodge is decorated with reclaimed antique furniture and original artworks, surrounded by flower- and statue-filled tropical gardens with mango trees, hibiscus and frangipani. The more private sea view suites boast polished wooden floors, a decent-sized private pool, and a generous terrace. Splash out on the flagship Piton Canot Suite, and you can admire the ocean and surrounding Black River Gorge from the comfort of your own gazebo. Those staying in a lodge without a private pool can take a dip in the resort’s two public pools. Alternatively, jump on a shuttle bus to the beach at Le Morne. Bicycles are also available to rent for free, making it easy to reach the nearby village of Chamarel.

Besides tropical gardens and a total of 15 private and public pools, Lakaz Chamarel is home to a bamboo-walled spa that provides superbly relaxing massages. The indoor-outdoor restaurant features an open kitchen and a menu that changes daily, always showcasing the very best of Mauritian cuisine, with dishes such as fish wrapped in a banana leaf and shrimp and chicken curry. You can also enjoy a candlelit dinner just steps from a rustic bar as well as an alfresco western-style buffet.

Taking ‘glamping’ to a whole new level is the Bubble Lodge Bois Cheri, where semi-transparent, high-tech biodomes rest on a wooden deck next to a volcanic crater lake in the famous tea estate of Bois Cheri. After walking down a private gravel drive, you’ll reach the unique bubble lodges, which are accessible via an airlock tunnel that ensures the lodges remain inflated with filtered air. These open-plan lodges feature a transparent lounge and a master bedroom with teak bed frames, natural browns and beiges, and an en-suite bathroom (hidden behind opaque walls). You’ll also see decorations such as branch-made lamp sculptures and a faux suede sofa bed. It’s the perfect place to get closer to nature and admire the lush foliage of Mauritius as well as stargaze at night.

Popular activities at the Bubble Lodge Bois Cheri are centred on the neighbouring lake, where kayaking, pedalo rentals and tilapia fishing keep visitors entertained for hours. Also within the resort’s grounds are a tea museum, a quad biking course, and a delectable gastronomic restaurant that’s situated inside a terracotta-roofed colonial house with panoramic views of the wooded lake. Mauritian menu favourites include homegrown palm heart salad with smoked marlin, crème brulee with local vanilla, and house speciality green tea chicken. Breakfast on the veranda and a la carte lunch options are also available.