Upmarket
A Shandrani Resort & Spa (327 rooms) Blue Bay; % 603 4343; f 637 4313; e shandrani[at]bchot.com; beachcomber-hotels.com. The road to the hotel follows the airport runway then twists & turns through sugarcane fields. The rooms, which include 36 family apartments, are spread through spacious grounds. They all face the sea & are well equipped, including AC, TV, phone, minibar & tea/coffee facilities. Family apartments are thoughtfully designed, with a separate en-suite bedroom with TV for up to 3 children under 12. Those with restricted mobility should note that there are 2 steps in superior rooms. There are 5 restaurants, a pitch & putt golf course, 2 pools, tennis, watersports, bike hire, kids’ club & a spa. More recent additions are a dive centre, sailing school & kitesurfing school. Interestingly, there are 3 types of beach: bay, lagoon & ocean. Lots of facilities & endless activities, but you do get some aircraft noise. The hotel’s AI package ‘serenity plus’ has been well received by travellers – included in the price are all meals & drinks, watersports (inc unlimited waterskiing), & a massage. $$$$
Mid range
A Blue Lagoon Beach Hotel (72 rooms) Pointe d’Esny, Blue Bay; % 631 9046; f 631 9045; e blbhotel[at]intnet.mu; bluelagoonbeachhotel.com. In pleasant gardens overlooking the lagoon, just 10km from the airport. Rather plain en-suite rooms with AC, TV & phone; some have balcony/terrace. A fridge in your room will cost Rs50 per day. Only superior rooms have a safe. There are 2 restaurants, a pool, some free non-motorised watersports, a tennis court & a small fitness centre. Gets some noise from the airport. Seems rather overpriced. $$$
A Le Preskil Beach Resort (156 rooms) Pointe Jérome, Mahébourg; % 604 1000; f 631 9603; e reservation[at]lepreskil.mu; lepreskil.com. The location is stunning & very private – on a peninsula with views to Ile aux Aigrettes across a shallow, protected turquoise lagoon. Rooms have sea view & are en suite with AC, TV, phone, Wi-Fi (payable), minibar, safe & tea/coffee facilities. There is 1 room with disabled facilities. The standard rooms are smallish but well decorated. The cottages are lovely but try to get 1 with direct beach access if you can. There are 2 pools, 3 restaurants, tennis, a gym & a spa offering massage. The selection of free watersports is impressive & includes water skiing. The hotel is popular as a base for windsurfing & kitesurfing, & as a departure point for trips to Ile aux Aigrettes. Aircraft noise does not seem to be such an issue here – aircraft can be seen in the skies above the area but are usually too high to be heard at the hotel. $$$
A Lodges Andrea (10 lodges) Relais des Lodges, Rivière des Anguilles; % 471 0555; f 626 2541; e resa[at]relaisdeslodges.mu; relaisdeslodges.com. The lodges are set on a cliff top among the cane fields of the Union Sugar Estate east of Souillac. They each accommodate 2 people, are modern, private & have sea view, fan, safe & tea/coffee facilities. They aren’t luxurious but they are nicely done. There is a restaurant serving breakfast & dinner (lunch on request) & a pool. Quad biking can be arranged & guests can join in the activities at Lodges Exil. $$$
A Lodges Exil (10 lodges) Relais des Lodges, Rivière des Anguilles; % 471 0555; f 626 2541 e resa[at]relaisdeslodges.mu; relaisdeslodges.com. Rural lodges for 2 people, in the forest near Rivière des Anguilles. It is around a 2–3hr walk to a waterfall, where guests can swim. As getting away from it all is the aim, there is no TV in the rooms but guests can walk, cycle (Rs200 pp per day) or birdwatch in the forest. Quad biking can be arranged. Guests can use the pool at Lodges Andrea. There is a restaurant serving breakfast & dinner (lunch on request). $$$
A Paradise Beach (12 apts) Pointe d’Esny; % 452 1010; f 452 2057 e reservations[at]paradisebeach.mu; paradisebeach.mu. Upmarket, modern, well-maintained self-catering apartments in a 3-storey building on a beautiful part of the coast. The 8 3-bedroom apartments & 2 4-bedroom penthouses are equipped with everything you need, including a modern kitchen, espresso machine, TV, DVD player, Wi-Fi & iPod docking station. The grounds are beautifully maintained, with a pool & inviting sun lounges. Bike, kayak & car hire can be arranged. Watersports & shuttle to nearby shops on request. Maid service 6 days a week &, for a fee, a local chef will come & cook for you in your apartment. Entry to the complex is controlled by a security guard, which is reassuring. Ground-floor apartments cost a little more than those on the first floor. A superb self-catering option. In high season a deluxe apartment costs around £290/€345 per night for 4 people. $$$
Budget
A Auberge Aquarella (10 rooms) 6 Rue Shivananda, Mahébourg; % 631 2767; f 631 2768; e aquarellaamu[at]email.com. Simple but spotless accommodation in the gardens of the Borsato family home on the seafront. 8 double rooms, 1 family room & 1 ‘suite’ for up to 4 people. The rooms have en-suite shower & balcony but only the ‘suite’ has a TV. 4 rooms have AC. 1 thatched bungalow is particularly cute – the one that’s almost dipping its toes in the water. Breakfast is served in the dining room overlooking the bay, & there is a pool. Traditional Mauritian evening meals can be provided if booked in advance. Good value for money & friendly service. $$
A La Hacienda (4 villas) Vieux Grand Port; % 263 0914; f 263 5202; e lahacienda[at]orange.mu; lahacidendamauritius.com. Rustic but modern villas in attractive grounds on a hillside overlooking the coast. There are 3 1-bedroom villas & 1 with 2 bedrooms. Each has AC, TV, safe, Wi-Fi & fully equipped kitchen. There is a pool & breakfast is provided. 24hr security. The nearest good beach is Blue Bay, around 11km away. The estate offers pleasant walks, including to Lion Mountain, bike hire & excursions can be arranged. $$
A Le Jardin de Beau Vallon (3 rooms) Beau Vallon; %/f 631 2850; e beauvallon.fvl[at]Intnet.mu; lejardindebeauvallon.com. Charming guesthouse accommodation & table d’hôte in a pretty garden. The rooms are thoughtfully decorated in a colonial style, with en suite, AC, safe, minibar & Wi-Fi. The pavillion is the most spacious & has a TV. The guesthouse is away from the coast but there is a bus stop around 100m from the entrance, & there is a pool on site. $$
A Pingouin Villas (5 apts, 2 studios) 94A Daurades Rd, Blue Bay; % 758 3837; f 637 3051; e resa[at]pingouinvillas.com; pingouinvillas.com. Around 200m from the beach & beautiful Blue Bay. Simple, clean self-catering accommodation with TV, phone, Wi-Fi, safe, fan (no AC) & balcony/terrace. Apartments sleep up to 6 people. $$
Shoestring
A Hotel les Aigrettes (20 rooms) Cnr Rue Chaland & Rue des Hollandais, Mahébourg; %/f 631 9094; e saidadhoomun[at]hotmail.com; hotellesaigrettes.com. Close to the centre of town, a block from the seafront. Rooms are uninspiring but clean & have AC, TV, phone & sea view. There is a restaurant, pool & jacuzzi. $
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