Winter is on its way in Europe. Which means summer is coming to Mauritius.
Travel Designer Matous Grund returns home from Mauritius with a suntan and specific holiday recommendations, after inspecting four different five-star resorts.
He stayed at the best two Mauritius resorts – Four Seasons and One&Only – and reports on the good and bad from two others.
Matty’s most important takeaway: Mauritius resorts are very different from each other so the number one choice is all about personal preference.
Flying to Mauritius on an Emirates A380
I flew from Prague to Mauritius with Emirates, via a three-hour layover in Dubai.
Emirates has two flights per day with A380s between Dubai and Mauritius, so you can experience the iconic Emirates A380 bar on route.
The bar is at the rear of the upper deck and is open to all business and first class passengers. There’s also a shower room on the Emirates A380, accessible only to first-class passengers.
Weather and Experiences in Mauritius
September weather was nice, around 25 degrees, and it only rained for 30 minutes on one day. So despite it being off season and supposedly the “wrong” time to travel, the weather was great for a beach holiday.
There’s a lot to see and do in Mauritius. I visited the botanical gardens and markets, tasted at a sugarcane factory, and spent a day at La Vallee des Couleurs nature park.
The latter is a cool place for adults as well as kids! I recommend a package with a car and driver, so you can easily do all the activities, like the long zip line, quad biking and waterfalls.
The summer season is about to start in Mauritius, so it was an ideal time for me to inspect different resorts and see what will be best for our clients’ holidays.
Paradise Cove Hotel
A romantic and boutique hotel that’s only for couples. A basic five-star standard with some strong points.
Paradise Cove is a very Mauritian hotel and I liked its style. It’s adults only and the rooms are only bookable for two adults sharing, so no third adult allowed.
It’s a romantic place, with nice options for activities, like a private barbecue on the beach. Most couples will spend their time in the different resort pools, including the infinity pool with an ocean view. There’s a private beach but it’s in a bay, not an open ocean beach you expect in Mauritius.
The rooms are clustered in small buildings built around the bay. They are quite basic and small, something which is reflected in the hotel’s relatively low price.
One advantage of Paradise Cove Hotel can be the location. It’s in the north of Mauritius, next to the island’s main kitesurfing beach and close to the party area. So for some couples it could be a good option.
Shangri-La Le Touessrok
The Shangri-La can be a good option for families and couples, but you need to be in the correct part of the hotel and it’s not quite on the same level of the Four Seasons or One&Only.
This used to be a One&Only property and many parts of the resort will be renovated over the Mauritian winter in 2024 and 2025. It feels like two resorts in one, because the Hibiscus and Frangipani sections have a different atmosphere.
I recommend the Hibiscus section for families, because it’s where the kids club is located and the sea is better for children – the beach is longer and the water shallower here.
Only guests aged over 12 can stay in the Frangipani Island area of the resort. It has an adults-only pool although the beach isn’t as big. The accommodation is more premium here because there are only suites, which are all a good standard for any couple.
The service was excellent and I’m looking forward to the renovations, especially of the top room categories. I believe Shangri-La Le Touessrok can definitely be a good choice for many clients.
One&Only Le Saint Geran
My preferred choice in Mauritius, especially for couples and younger clients. I recommend the lagoon section of the resort and the beachfront suites.
I personally prefer Le Saint Geran over the Four Seasons. The design is lighter and younger, the atmosphere a lot more fun. It’s like a little piece of the Mediterranean in the Indian Ocean.
I love the swimming pools next to the beach and the DJs playing music at sunset by the pool. Plus the spectacular sports facilities at ClubOne: gym, tennis, padel, all the water sports and a lot more, in one zone close to the beach. Truly some of the best resort sports facilities I’ve experienced anywhere.
The restaurants and service are outstanding too. For my personal holidays, this is the perfect resort.
One&Only Le Saint Geran has three different sections. I like the Lagoon section, as it’s the quietest part of the resort, close to the beach and the main pool.
However, the lagoon section only has rooms, no suites. So for a higher category accommodation I recommend the Beachfront section.
There’s also the Ocean section and the rooms do have an ocean view, but they’re in a garden, further away from the sand.
Le Saint Geran only has one villa. It’s an awesome two-bedroom option called Villa One, with a private beach and pool, for up to eight people.
The main advantage of staying at Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita instead, is that the entry-level category is a private villa with pool. Whereas at the One&Only you’ll probably be stating in a room or suite. This is why I can’t recommend One&Only to all my clients.
Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita
Excellent all-villa resort that is ideal for families or anybody who demands privacy.
The villas at this Four Seasons resort are cool and spacious. They are very private too, the best choice if you plan to spend most of your Mauritius holiday in your own villa.
Some villas are definitely in need of renovation. I can advise you personally on which villa to pick and make sure you stay in one of the better, fresher-feeling villas.
The service was top class, the dining was amazing and overall I can say that the resort is perfect for some clients. It’s just not really my style.
Around the hotel there are a few small beaches, located in a bay, not on the open ocean. My preference is to take the complementary three-minute shuttle boat to nearby Ile aux Cerfs, an island with a stunning serviced beach lapped by Indian Ocean waves.
It’s not as Instagrammable or atmospheric as the One&Only, but if you want a villa and a great variety of activities and experiences for children then the Four Seasons is a better choice.
Your Winter Holiday in Mauritius
Which of these hotels sounds the best for your Mauritius holiday?
Wait, don’t answer that immediately. You have questions, we know. So for your next holiday, enjoy personal advice from travel designers who the know the best of your destination.
