Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, located east of Madagascar (map). Everyone has visions of what paradise is like, most of which involve tropical islands with white sandy beaches, palms swaying in the soft breeze and crystal-clear water. Mauritius ticks all these boxes with ease. With its blinding white beaches and breathtaking lagoons, Mauritius would match most people’s definition of paradise. Add to that a great selection of gorgeous hotels and you get a destination that’s perfect for those seeking a luxurious island getaway. Here are my five recommended luxury hotels in Mauritius which I checked out personally:
St. Regis Resort Mauritius
The St. Regis Resort Mauritius (top left to bottom left: clusters of villas, my room and bathroom; top right to bottom right: the beach and main pool).
The St. Regis Mauritius is a sprawling luxury resort at the foot of the World Heritage listed Le Morne mountain in the southwestern corner of the island. This colonial-style resort has 172 rooms and suites which are located in double-storey villas scattered along the beach, many with breathtaking views of the lagoon and the ocean. My room was very spacious, with a large bathroom (separate shower and bath-tub), a bar, working table and a cosy terrace outside. Each cluster of villas has its own pool and butler service. The jaw-droppingly beautiful beach is never more than a few steps away, and because the property is so spread out, it always feel tranquil. In addition, the Iridium Spa offers a huge variety of treatments in a separate building. The St. Regis Mauritius has six restaurants/bars offering cuisine ranging from French-inspired and traditional Mauritian cuisine, to the exotic dishes of India, Southeast Asia and Japan. The calm lagoon is perfect for all sorts of water-sports, from kite-surfing (one of the best kite-surfing spots in the world is around the corner) to stand-up paddling, windsurfing and snorkelling. Check for rates.
Maradiva Villa Resort
Maradiva Villas Mauritius (top left to bottom left: my villa with private plunge pool, the main pool; top right to bottom right: living and bathroom in my villa, and the gorgeous sunset from the beach).
The Maradiva Villa Resort is located in Flic en Flac on the west coast of the island. This resort is the only five-star resort on the island that offers only villa accommodations. The 65 villas are fabulous, with a spacious patio and a private pool, a large bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and perhaps the biggest bathroom I’ve ever laid my eyes on – the bathroom has a bath-tub, indoor and outdoor showers! Of all the accommodations I stayed at in Mauritius, this villa definitely ranked high. The resort is spread out across a large area, with a Spa, several restaurants (I loved the modern Indian cuisine at Cilantro) and bars. Facing west, the long beach (protected by reefs) is the perfect spot for water-sport activities and to view the amazing sunsets. Check for rates.
Angsana Balaclava
Angsana Balaclava (top left to bottom left: the main resort building and pool and the smaller clusters of villas; top right to bottom right: my room, the pool and a gorgeous sunset from the beach).
The Angsana Balaclava is set in Turtle Bay on the northwestern coast of Mauritius. This is another stunning resort featuring typical Mauritian architecture, a gorgeous lagoon pool and a fabulous beach. The rooms are located in separate blocks that face the pool. There is also a selection of beautiful suites that overlook the pool, gardens or the beach. The beach is broad and shady and the sunsets from here are breathtaking. For a bit of indulgence, there’s the lovely Angsana Spa, and for those seeking a bit more action, the resort offers a variety of water-sports, adventure bike tours and cooking classes. The resort also has its own marine Conservation Centre and guests are invited to participate in coral-planting and snorkelling safaris. Check for rates.
The One & Only Le Saint Géran
The One & Only Le Saint Géran (top left to bottom left: view of the beach from my room, sushi lunch at the poolside; top right to bottom right: my room, the pool at the spa, and the overwater Indian Pavilion restaurant).
The One & Only Le Saint Géran is the grand dame of luxury resorts in Mauritius. Situated on a long expanse of beautiful white sand fringing a cove and surrounded by lush gardens, the One & Only Saint Géran oozes a sense of establishment and tranquility. The gardens, with their palms and flowering shrubs are absolutely gorgeous. The 166 spacious rooms, with private terraces, face either the beach or the cove. There were two highlights of my stay here: the Spa (the masseuse was top-notch!) and the terrific personnel who truly excelled in providing attentive service without being obtrusive. In addition to water-sports activities, there’s a beautiful golf course next door and the resort also organises a variety of great activities such as wine-tastings. Oh, and there’s a Kids-Only club as well! The resort serves excellent cuisine at the PRIME grill and my favourite, the Indian Pavilion, that’s built on stilts above the cove. Check for rates.
20 Degres Sud Boutique Hotel
20 Degres Sud (top left to bottom left: the pool, the stunning Ile Plat (Flat Island); top right to bottom right: room/bathroom, the guest lounge/library.
The 20 Degres Sud Boutique Hotel is a truly special place located in Grand Baie on the north coast of Mauritius. The entrance to the hotel is rather unassuming but inside, you’ll be greeted by friendly staff and an interior that oozes luxury and charm. The cosy interior, designed by a renowned Belgian interior decorator, will make you feel right at home in an instant. The hotel has 30 rooms and suites, each with a terrace overlooking the coconut grove and/or the ocean. 20 Degres Sud has three amazing dining options – at the hotel’s lovely restaurant, on the Lady Liesbeth vintage boat or in the Governor’s House, an old ruin on Île Plat (Flat Island).
Snorkeling in glassy water off Ile Plat (Flat island).
My highlight was spending the day on Île Plat. The journey itself on a sail boat was unforgettable – at a certain point, we were accompanied by whales and dolphins! – and the island, with its incredible beaches and crystalline water (in colours ranging from intense cobalt blue to aquamarine, turquoise and emerald green), was a sight to behold. Gosh, I dream of returning to this hotel one day! Check for rates.
Note: This post is the result of the #MyMauritius blog trip which was created and managed by iambassador and AHRIM in association with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and Air Mauritius. Velvet Escape maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site.