For a long time, Mauritius had always seemed like the kind of place you could only visit if you earned a six-figure salary or were a member of the royal family. Prince William famously loves the island - first heading there in his gap year in 2000 and then repeatedly returning with his wife Kate Middleton in tow, as their relationship progressed. But the Indian Ocean Island nation isn't just the preserve of those in line to the throne.
Located east of Madagascar, Mauritius is a volcanic paradise known for sugarcane as its most famous and important export crop and its melting pot culture of influences, from India and Africa to China and France (Creole, a French-based patois, is many of its inhabitant’s mother tongue, as is English). Situated on the Tropic of Capricorn, Mauritius is known as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean', famous for its coastal bounties, all-year round hot weather, white sand beaches and coral reefs that hug its mountain scenery.
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The only problem with Mauritius – yes, there is one – is the small dilemma of choosing where to stay on the island. From north to south and east to west, there’s a plethora of outstanding hotels to choose from that cater to all needs, ages and holiday desires. Fortunately for you, we’ve rounded up a list of the best places to stay, dine and enjoy the local treats the island have to offer, so all you have to do is decide whether you’d rather spend your afternoons on a beach or a boat. It's a hard life, right?
Here's ELLE UK’s ultimate guide to Mauritius:
The Best Places To Stay
There is such a variety of luxurious places to lay your head in Mauritius, with many of the uber-grand choices catering for weddings, engagements and more. Depending on what you’re on the search for, you’re first best considering which part of the island you want to spend your time. For example, the east of the island is where you’ll find the pristine white beaches (and most of your fellow tourists, as a result), whereas the north is quieter and more serene, likely as a result of its more rugged coastline.
LUX* Belle Mare – East
Situated on the east of the island, LUX* Belle Mare is categorically one of the best and most luxurious hotels you can find on the island. It was reopened in October 2023 after numerous renovations to bring the resort’s culinary offerings, experiences and interiors into the modern day with luxury at the forefront of its owners mind. The hotel is made up of 174 suites, 12 sea-facing villas, five restaurants, over a 1km white sand beach, a lengthy 2,000m swimming pool and much more.
Redesigned by Mauritian architect Jean-François Adam, the interiors of the hotel are the perfect mélange between earth and fauna-inspired hues (think sand-coloured soft furnishings, green and white tilings, and pops of sunshine yellow furniture) set on a palate of pristine white walls, with bursts of natural light throughout to invite the outside in. Carefully-curated spaces within the hotel include the Riyad-inspired lobby (think Moroccan-esque archways and hand-glazed tiling) as well as the Instagrammable candy pink-coloured Aperitivo bar. There’s also the Kids Club PLAY area, where children (aged three to 11) can take part in activities such as cooking classes, basket weaving and junior yoga.
Better yet, the staff at LUX* Belle Mare are keen to curate one-of-a-kind experiences for guests that help to keep their experience of Mauritius with them for a lifetime. We suggest hiring a vintage luxury car for the afternoon, complete with a private chauffeur and local expert, to visit the nearby temples on the island, the tranquil Bras d’Eau forest, and finish the day with a Champagne picnic on the beach as the sun sets. For thrill seekers, a catamaran on the waves is also on offer (with a dedicated chef and mixologist, of course), while self-declared foodies can take part in a private cooking class and learn Michelin-starred Chef Vineet Bhaia’s techniques and understandings of how to bring modern-day Indian cuisine to one’s tastebuds.
LUX* Belle Mare: rates start from approx. £300 on a B&B basis for 2 adults sharing a Junior Suite.
LUX* Grand Baie – North
In the words of Mean Girls, the limit officially does not exist when it comes to perfection at LUX* Grand Baie. The boutique-style resort is second to none with unparalleled interiors from the moment you arrive, step inside its vast lobby (we can’t get over the coffee bar, vaulted ceilings and six-metre sofas), and indulge in its multitude of luxury experiences.
The hotel comprises of 116 suites, pool villas and individual residences, which have been carefully designed by renowned British interior designer Kelly Hoppen and architect Jean-François Adam, inspired by the latter’s childhood growing up on the island and the marriage of indoor-outdoor living (note how the pair worked with raw materials, woody-textures and colours, and sophisticated modern shapes to create the peaceful and chid ambiance throughout the hotel's corridors).
For those with wellbeing at the forefront of their holiday, the hotel has its own fitness centre, group cycle studio, Niyama studio (for the likes of mat-based Pilates, yoga, aerial yoga and meditation), as well as a studio on the roof for private or small group sessions, whether it’s HIIT and boxing, strength and conditioning, or more specialised workouts including a running track and functional fitness frame for those who know their burpees from their barbells. There’s also the opportunity to flex your sea legs on the lagoon’s waters with windsurfing, kayaks, glass bottom boat trips and water skiing sessions, as well as a dolphin and turtle excursion, and much more.
LUX* Grand Baie: Rates at LUX* Grand Baie start from approx. £350 for 2 adults in a LUX* JUNIOR SUITE on a B&B basis.
SALT of Palmar – East
The SALT of Palmar hotel is the epitome of cool on the island and features as part of the Design Hotels group – and it’s not hard to see why. From your arrival you’ll notice the bold pop-art colours and peach-hued architecture (thanks to French designer Camille Walala and the local architecture studio JFA), complete with its very own bakery, pool bar and rooftop bar.
The adults-only property opened in 2018 and provides guests with a copy of the THIS IS MAURITIUS guidebook on arrival, which is full of information from locals about the people and places that make the island so unique. Made up of 59 rooms overlooking the eastern coast, garden or pool, the hotel prides itself on its sustainable practices. For example, guests are invited to use their own stainless-steel water bottles (which are placed in each room), and the hotel hosts regular beach clean ups and training sessions with local inhabitants of the island. There's also the opportunity to take part in a private cooking class at the The Good Kitchen restaurant, where you can learn how to make the hotel's signature chicken curry, guided by Executive Chef Shiva and his friendly team.
Rates start from approx. £174 per night on a B&B basis. Please visit saltresorts.com or email reservations@saltresorts.com.
Dinarobin - South
You’d also be well advised to take a look at the Beachcomber resorts. With a range of resort pools, tranquil spas, beachfront muscle stretch classes, hathi yoga and delicious sundowner cocktails, they are an extremely delightful escape from reality - a world away from laptops, busy commutes and rainy British drizzle.
There are two Beachcomber resorts in Mauritius which come highly recommended. The first is the Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa. Treat yourself to a junior suite beach room, with stunning views of the beach and tropical gardens.
The junior suites rooms have large wooden decks or terraces with sea views and a colonial design. Rooms have high-beamed ceilings furnished with wooden pieces, in a colour palette of rich earthy tones and accessorised with items made by Beautiful Local Hands. Beachcomber have been working with local artisans to help support the local craftspeople and nurture young talent, while helping preserve traditional craft and cultural heritage. Many items around the junior suites were made by local artisans and are all available to buy from the local gift shop. It makes for an authentic-feeling experience and brings a real feeling of community into every aspect of the resort.
Dinarobin is located at the western coast of the Le Morne peninsula. The Le Morne Brabant mountain is a UNESCO world heritage site and it provides the dramatic backdrop to each pool and the spa area.
Seven nights half board in a Junior Suite at Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, for two adults starts from £2,430 per person sharing.
Royal Palm – North
Situated a short walk from the lively Grand Baie, Royal Palm is part of the Leading Hotels of the World, which becomes clear the moment you walk through the door. They offer a unique custom-made experience with check-in taking place in your room, to ensure flawless experience from start to finish tailor made to your personal needs.
The junior suites have recently been refurbished. They are contemporary and stylishly decorated. A real highlight are the enormous walk-in wardrobes. Balconies have a sea view, offering you the opportunity to see the sunrise and sunset from the comfort of your room. The resort also offers an in-room breakfast service for you to languish in bed as long as you want, enjoying privacy while being waited on hand and foot. And who wouldn't enjoy that?
Where To Dine
With five restaurants offering cuisines from India, China, the Mediterranean and more, LUX* Belle Mare is one of the best and most coveted places on the island to tantalise the tastebuds. While Beach Rouge beach club and restaurant’s Mediterranean cuisine and the main restaurant MONDO’s international dishes aren’t to be missed, our favourite eateries include Amari – the first Indian Michelin-starred Chef Vineet Bhatia’s must-visit contemporary restaurant – and Duck Laundry’s gastronomic victory, which serves Chinese plates of everything, from your classic Peking duck to dim sum. There’s also an on-site ice cream parlour, situated by the pool and a lounge bar with views of the lagoon and pool (perfect for a late-night spicy margarita, if you ask us).
Over at LUX* Grande Baie, in addition to its Beach Rouge club and restaurant and Maison Lux café and bar, there’s the rooftop bar and restaurant Bisou which overlooks the infinity pool and offers the likes tapas-style dishes, whether you want to lay back in a cabana or dine at one of the submerged tables in the pool overlooking the sea. Ai KISU (meaning ‘flame’ in Japanese), meanwhile, is the site’s Asian bar and restaurant and real jewel in the crown at the hotel, if you ask us. The pièce-de-résistances at the restaurant includes its open kitchen, Soya Sauce sommelier, and Warayaki straw fire cooking.
Within the Beachcomber resorts there are also a number of great places to eat and drink. Butik bar is Dinarobin resort's beach bar. A cocktail on the beach at sunset is an absolute must. Plus. expect local Mauritian bands and dancers to come and entertain you during the sundown experience. Or you can just relax on a bean bag and enjoy the music and sunset from afar.
La Goélette is the signature restaurant at Royal Palm Beachcomber with beautiful views over the Indian ocean. Chef William Girard had prepared a beautiful wine pairing set menu with Sommelier Julien Laugier, serving French cuisine fused with Mauritian produce paired with beautiful vintage wines. Each dish is picture perfect, deserving of a place on anyone's Instagram feed. Make sure you try the fresh fish dishes, and certainly experience the 'heart of palm,' deriving from Mauritian grown palm trees. Crunchy, light and different.
Where To Spa
The LUX* Me Spa is where the real magic on the island happens. Not only does the spa feature six treatment rooms, spa-suites and an outdoor relaxation pool and garden, but downstairs on the lower floor is a cave of pure paradise, with a Turkish hammam and heated pool, relaxation lounge and ice rocks (not for the faint of heart) and heated benches.
LUX* Belle Mare provides enough amenities and spaces to keep all of the family entertained, from the LUX* ME Wellbeing and LUX* ME Spa, which is inspired by the five elements and invites guests to discuss what they need from their wellness journey to help therapists best tailor-make their experience, to an inside-outside fitness centre (the Niyama Studio and Garden offers everything from sunrise yoga and wellness classes, to Pilates, respectively).
The SALT Equilibrium at the SALT of Palmar is perfect for those who want to dip their toe into wellness. It boasts its own salt room, five treatment rooms and focuses on salt-based treatments to energise and rejuvenate. There’s also an opportunity to get in touch with your mind and body with the property’s Sunrise Run Club, meditation at Brahmakumari, hike and bike opportunities, and more.
Beachcomber’s Dinarobin's Spa is situated at the foot of the Le Morne Mountain and offers complete escape and relaxation. There is a heated pool surrounded by lush vegetation with dry and wet steam baths. There’s also the opportunity to swim with dolphins from the Dinarobin and Paradis resorts. A short boat ride will take you out to sea to dolphin and whale watch.
If you're looking for a life-changing experience, try the Signature B (e) Discovery massage. It is described at energetic decoding, techniques pressure, stretching oil massage.
At the Royal Palm Spa a modern and elegant spa awaits. With loads of generous greenery and fountains with many private areas and sun beds for the ultimate retreat. Treatments use Valmont products and offer top class service. Arrive early to enjoy the steam rooms and saunas and fully immerse yourself into total relaxation. Try the Purity of the Alps facial. It uses the latest Valmont products to purify, balance and unify complexion. You'll glow afterwards, trust us.
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