Translated by Bethszabee Garner

Mauritius offers more than just a long list of remarkable establishments. Everywhere you go, it presents itself as an exemplary destination for its landscapes, markets, and gastronomy. From east to west and north to south, it reveals its generous character, just like its inhabitants. Here, everyone can find their "own" island!

You can dream it up by renting a house on the beach—there are 150 km of them—you can prefer backpacking and sleeping under the stars, you can experience it in a sporty way: diving, walking, golf, horseback riding... You can also consider pampering yourself in a luxury hotel. The multitude of options is sure to satisfy all expectations.

At the top of the rankings, the addresses are jostling for position. They compete to add to a wonderful environment. What makes them exceptional: remarkable services, magnificent rooms, award-winning restaurants, fabulous spas, and exemplary hospitality and service. Thanks to the southern climate, even during the cooler seasons from May to September, temperatures rarely drop below 22 degrees celcius along the coast.

Between meals, swims (and naps in the sun...), you can visit the island: Chamarel, the "land of seven colors," with its giant tortoises; the Sacred Lake and its Hindu rituals; the Black River Gorges National Park and its hiking trails in the Bel Ombre Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO; or head to the capital, Port Louis, for shopping, although the local markets in Mahebourg, the former capital, the center of Flacq, and Curepipe are also worth a visit.

Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, 2,500 hectares of bliss

We are in the south of the island, in Bel Ombre, in what is surely the largest hotel complex in the destination.

The story of Charles Telfair, a young Irishman who enlisted as an officer in the Royal Navy in 1797 and arrived in Mauritius as a naval doctor in 1810, is exemplary in more ways than one. The man was a visionary and a humanist, a member of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences. You can even visit his home, the "Château", which has a few fancy rooms and a gourmet restaurant.

The cuisine is remarkable in this complex, with thirteen restaurants spread across the two entities of the site, Heritage Telfair sharing with Heritage Awali, another five-star resort, but with a focus on hosting "all-inclusive" guests.

Thirteen restaurants on site

In detail, you would need to stay at least a week, visiting two restaurants a day, to discover everything on offer. And as the site has many other attractions, you can extend your stay at your leisure.

The first few hours begin on the fine sand in front of a picture-postcard setting, allowing you to quickly forget the hassles of everyday life and think about your evening. It will be Asian! We opted for the Gin'Ja restaurant, whose elegant decor is cheerfully lit up by the sea. On the way back, in the gentle warmth of Mauritian nights that fall quickly and early, we discover Cavendish, the piano bar overlooking the gardens, the ideal place to try Mauritian rums—there is also a beautiful library—we will return the next day, drawn by the rhythms of a reggae band inviting us to dance.

Two high-level golf courses

It's easy to get used to this wonderful environment, this atmosphere, this excellent service, with days beginning with the "exhausting" task of deciding where to go swimming, boating, kite surfing, canoeing, water skiing, quad biking, seaplane flying, and above all, where to have lunch and dinner. Golf enthusiasts will also be delighted.

There are three courses: the Château Golf Course (18 holes, par 72), ranked among the 100 best golf resorts in the world and complemented by a 9-hole course; and La Réserve Golf Links, the only contemporary course in the Indian Ocean. Don't miss out on a mini safari in a 4×4 at the Bel Ombre Nature Reserve, where you can spot majestic deer and elegant does running through the rolling hills. For enthusiasts, the estate also offers wild boar hunting sessions (from June to September)!

An unmissable highlight is the Wellness Pavilion within the 2,500 m² Seven Colours spa, which reflects all the resort's amenities, full of charm, elegance, and essential oil massages, meditation, forest bathing, yoga, Pilates, and tai chi. So, in this beautiful hotel complex, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, all you have to do is choose between the 128 Deluxe Suites with sea or beach views, the 20 Junior Suites or the 8 Senior Suites with garden or sea views, and the 2 Oceanfront Suites with 2 swimming pools, one of which is reserved for adults.

Shangri-La Le Touessrok Mauritius has been given a facelift for its 45th anniversary

Since it opened in 1978, the hotel has established itself as a symbol of luxury and elegance, offering an unparalleled experience in the poetic setting of Trou d'Eau Douce on the east coast. It is located a stone's throw from the picturesque village of the same name.

The offering is as varied as it is interesting. There are 102 rooms and 65 luxurious suites that have just been given a facelift. You can dream even bigger with the 15 signature beachfront suites, but it is the three magnificent 423 m² villas, located at the end of the beach in a private and secure enclave, that make the difference between luxury and ultimate luxury. Each villa has a dedicated team of butlers, a private chef, and premium services for an extraordinary stay.

A variety of rooms, suites, and beachfront villas

Beyond all the transformations and renovations that mark a new era for the hotel, it remains deeply rooted in Mauritian culture. This is reflected in authentic cultural experiences, events, and partnerships with local artists, as well as in the cuisine.

In this regard, diversity and quality are the order of the day. With an indoor dining room opening onto an outdoor terrace, the new Touessrok Soul Kitchen restaurant, affectionately known as TSK, combines the charm of Mauritian cuisine with gastronomic influences from elsewhere. Not far away (all the facilities are within easy walking distance), Coco's is a Mauritian-style beach house. With different spirits, other gourmet references offer their cuisine: Safran, an ode to the rich Indian culture, and Kushi, a true sanctuary where the subtleties of Japanese cuisine are celebrated and sublimated. To top it all off, there is the Vinoteca, dedicated to wine tasting, for an immersion in the world of fine wines.

The Sega Bar, under its traditional thatched roof, offers a warm experience as night falls. Each sip of cocktail is an invitation to explore the island's heritage, with creations based on local rums, accompanied by small plates and tapas enhanced with spices, available at the . It is clear that in this high-end resort, the spa is in harmony, and Chi, a sanctuary of holistic wellness nestled in a magnificent setting, meets the expectations of the most demanding guests.

While there are many activities on offer (water sports, tennis, padel, electric bikes, fishing, diving, kayaking, etc.), not to mention the various swimming pools, some of which are reserved for adults, it should not be forgotten that it is also a renowned golf destination thanks to the Île aux Cerfs (18 holes, designed by Bernhard Langer with breathtaking ocean views) and Anahita (18 holes, designed by Ernie Els) clubs, two of the most beautiful courses in the world.

Guests are welcomed with the traditional gong ritual, creating a serene atmosphere from the moment they arrive.

One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius: the ultimate standart

For this leg of the journey, a superb 100% electric limousine, a gleaming BMW i 7, comes to pick us up. Traveling around the island is always a pleasant experience, especially when the weather is fine. After going from hotel to hotel, we think we can no longer be surprised, but our arrival at Le Saint Géran proves otherwise. After walking a few hundred meters from the imposing entrance gate, we discover a vast and bright lobby that extends all the way to the ocean, offering a promise of things to come.

Our suite: 120 m², large bay windows bordered by a long terrace opening onto a white sand beach with no neighbors in sight, stretching to the blue sea, a large bed strewn with exotic flower petals, a double bathroom, a cozy living room—it's hard to do better than this. Set to one side, with the room number displayed, a light wood beach bed covered with a fine sailcloth, with large cushions and bedside tables, seems to beckon us. That will be for later, no doubt.

The sweet life

For now, we head to the Badamier (tropical tree), the site's main restaurant, for a first taste of the cuisine, which plays on two themes, French and Italian. The famous beach bed in our suite then appeared, welcoming and comfortable. We needed these few quiet moments to enjoy the mild water temperature before changing into new outfits for a sundowner cocktail.

Perfectly acclimatized to this holiday atmosphere, in the cool of the early evening, we headed to our restaurant, La Faya, for a pure Creole experience. To immerse ourselves even further in the atmosphere, the night was then lit up by the fire show (with local rum, of course!).

We didn't stay long at this luxurious establishment, not long enough to enjoy all the amenities it has to offer. We did, however, have time to discover Riva, the new restaurant concept, located by the pool overlooking the Indian Ocean, offering typical dishes with an Italian touch in a chic setting, with a resident DJ and delicious cocktails. More gastronomy and glamour at Tapasake, with its Japanese cuisine served in the evening by the water's edge—a real treat.

And above all, there was no question of missing the "Imperial Massage" offered by the Guerlain spa, an extremely refined world of wonderfully gentle and effective treatments. It was surely so that we would leave this place without too much regret that we were driven to the airport in a Rolls Royce. Classy to the end.

The Legend Hill Resort & Spa in Black River, new for 2025

Between the blue Indian Ocean and the lush green of the Tourelle mountain in the southwest of the island, the "Cultural Landscape of Le Morne" has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.

Interior designers Sophie and Jean-Michel Remazeilles drew inspiration from the island lifestyle and the spirit of South Africa's chic lodges to decorate the 44 rooms, suites, apartments, penthouses, and villas (ranging from 45 to 634 m²), designed as "balconies overlooking the ocean" with breathtaking views of the lagoon. Featuring contemporary design, fine materials, and modern amenities, each residence has a private terrace or balcony, and some even have a private pool.

An exceptional restaurant?

This beautiful new addition will feature chef Glenn Viel (3 Michelin stars at L'Oustau de Baumanière in France), who will be opening 1812, his new restaurant, with a gourmet and creative menu.

The spa, meanwhile, offers a timeless haven of well-being. With three single cabins and one double cabin, it offers regeneration for the body and mind while stimulating the five senses with personalized Cinq Mondes treatments. Relaxing massage, drainage massage, signature massage, couples massage, foot reflexology, facial and body treatments, manicures and pedicures... Avinash, the spa manager, will introduce you to a holistic approach.

Last but not least, at the helm of this new venture is the family of Thierry Naidu, a Mauritian native who is well known in the hotel industry, both for his consulting activities with his company Phoenix Hotel Collection and for his presence at La Chèvre d'Or in Eze, where he has long been the general manager. His daughter Eva, a consummate professional following in her father's footsteps, is the CEO of Legend Hill. With this establishment opening in June, the family group is inaugurating its seventh establishment and its first in Mauritius.

Article written by Bernard Van de Kerckhove, featured in issue 12 of OniriQ magazine.