1. Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa
Beyond the walls of Maradiva’s five-star rustic luxury, there’s much to explore of Mauritius. Understanding its guests’ needs to see culture in exemplary comfort, the hotel’s sightseeing tour of the island in a Rolls-Royce Phantom pips most experiences to the post. Wake up in your Beachfront Pool Villa, freshen up in your private plunge pool, breakfast on your private terrace, then embark on an exclusive day out in the lap of luxury. The four-hour chauffeured drive will let you soak up the beauty of Mauritius, weaving around the coastal roads flanking the Indian Ocean, before stopping for lunch, served by your butler, from a Rolls-Royce picnic hamper - surely the epitome of five-star pastimes. Back at the hotel, an afternoon swimming in Maradiva’s crystal-clear lagoon should end your day beautifully.
2. Four Seasons at Anahita
Known for its contemporary cool approach to luxury, Four Seasons delivers pared-back elegance at Anahita, its East-Coast Mauritius property. With a recent soft refurb throughout its 84 One Bedroom Villas, across Garden, Mangrove, Ocean and Beach, a fresh injection of lighter hues lets you soak up its elevated serenity, amid palm trees and bright-blue skies. A serious USP for Anahita is the nearby Ernie Els-designed and Bernhard Langer signature golf courses, that guests have complimentary access to, as well as the hotel’s exclusive beach at Ile aux Cerfs just a boat ride away, and its award-winning spa with overwater treatment suites. The fact that the hotel is also home to a group of giant tortoises ticks further boxes, especially those looking for a little environmental nurture with their nature.
3. Shangri-La Le Touessrok
A tropical playground brimming with untouched natural beauty, Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa presents a sophisticated and authentic hideaway for those seeking whispered luxury and wanderlust. Favoured by royalty and A-list celebrities for its uninterrupted ocean views, exemplary Asian hospitality, and access to the exclusive private island of Ilot Mangénie, here the high-living life is afforded to all. Also a parents’ paradise, those travelling with children will receive a complimentary stay for under-12s, while the Le Bazar and Kids Club work hard at parenting so you don’t have to. Stay at the picturesque Frangipani islet for the most exclusive experience of all, complete with a dedicated butler, daily cocktail hour and an adults-only swimming pool.
4. St. Regis
The rich heritage of the St. Regis Mauritius Resort dates back over 100 years, and today its storied history is felt throughout with its graceful grandeur and exquisite service. Settled on the soft white shores of Le Morne Beach, on the South-West side of the island, the resort’s 172 guest suites are ideally located for some of the most sublime views over the Indian Ocean. Five-star luxury is at every turn, from the colonial-designed one-bedroom Manor House Spa Suite to the world-class Iridium Spa, and beyond to the exoticism and culinary expertise tasted at Le Manoir Dining Room. With Catamaran cruises, kite surfing and swimming with dolphins all par of the course, the hotel’s experiences are par excellence.
5. The Residence
As a smattering of crisp white lines cuts through Mauritius’ verdant landscape, the trees open up to the beautiful beachside paradise of The Residence. Inspired by the island’s stately turn-of-the-century plantation houses, here you’ll be greeted by a personal butler before being stolen away to the charms of your Colonial Ocean Front Suite, where you can sit resplendent on your balcony surveying the elegant refinement of your new abode. With 11 kilometres of pure white sandy beach to linger along, a Mauritian mountain to climb, and two nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites to explore, you can also lay low and discover new secrets to soulful relaxation within the serene Sanctuary Spa. Whatever you choose, here you can do it in style.