The best hotels in Mauritius

With the best spot on the island (a private peninsula with a mile of white sand beach in the northwest) and a £41m renovation, Mauritius’ iconic hotel is at the top of its game right now. In the 1970s, One & Only Le Saint Geran attracted celebs and royalty (a vintage boat built for the Queen is now used for Champagne and snorkeling trips) and sleek new suites, infinity pools, enlarged spa and six world-class restaurants are just some of the impressive features on offer.

Best for: Those seeking five-star luxury. 
Which room? You can nab a beachfront balcony or lagoon room offering mountain views. 
Time Out tip: You can book anything from scuba diving lessons to helicopter tours of the island. 

Le Touessrok’s five white sand beaches and two private islands (one home to an 18-hole golf course) make it a prime place to stay in Mauritius. The East Coast peninsula setting is sublime but also has amazing service; think butler-assigned rooms and beach staff on Segways polishing your sunglasses and offering sorbets. Don’t leave the Le Touessrok without customising your own massage oil in the spa, eating fresh lobster prepared aboard a catamaran or sampling the Champagne Sunday brunch.

Best for: A beach holiday that knows no bounds. 
Which room? There's plenty of luxury options, from connecting rooms for families to honeymoon-worthy club suites with ocean views. 
Time Out tip: You can arrive via helicopter from the airport. 

Lagoon Attitude is a four-star, adults-only hotel sitting right on Anse La Raie Beach. The hotel prides itself on being an eco-committed seaside hotel, focusing on sustainable tourism. The 182 rooms on offer are bright, airy, and full of beach vibes, with much of the decor made from recycled elements. The rooms vary depending on needs, from couples' seafront rooms to whirlpool suites with private hot tubs. 

Best for: Romantic getaways for moments of privacy and adventure-packed days. 
Which room? Couples have plenty of choice, with varying views and deluxe amenities on offer. 
Time Out tip: This eco-committed hotel gives you the chance to travel responsibly – banning single-use plastic and serving locally sourced food. 

Boutique hotel La Maison d’Ete is a dream come true for those in need of a remote island getaway far from reality. The palm tree-surrounded pool, Seven Chakras beach spa and al fresco restaurant serving exotic plates and cocktails make for a super-relaxed escape that insiders are keen to keep hush hush.

Best for: A tucked-away hotel with a private beach area while still being near popular attractions. 
Which room? Exclusive rooms come with a private terrace with sea views. 
Time Out tip: Book a bloating breakfast to enjoy in the pool with your significant other. 

It’s all about experiences with a sense of place at this great-value, all-inclusive Zilwa Attitude resort on the island’s northern tip. Tuck into barbecue lunches on one of its two private islands, chill in colourful rooms inspired by Mauritian culture, watch a film in the open-air cinema, find peace in the rustic spa and even get involved in some Tai Chi classes.

Best for: An action-packed trip while still making time to relax. 
Which room? With six room categories, solo travellers, couples and families can find the perfect place to rest their heads. 
Time Out tip: There are a tonne of water activities to take part in, including windsurfing, catamaran cruises and snorkeling. 

Loved up? Then check in to Mauritius’ most romantic retreat which has a strip of sugary blond sand, lush 20-acre subtropical gardens and walled pool villas with four-poster beds and sunken marble baths. Oberoi's serene spa offers wellness classes alongside the usual massages, and you can even dine on seafood dishes atop dark volcanic rocks. 

Best for: And exotic escape with seafood and scenery at the forefront. 
Which room? Splash out on a two-bedroom luxury villa with a private pool. 
Time Out tip: You can book a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach with a backdrop of the sunset over Turtle Bay. 

Futuristic cool meets eco escape at Bubble Lodge, a unique collection of three semi-transparent domes on the edge of a wooded crater lake in Bois Cheri tea plantation. You can stargaze from bed as the master bedroom has a see-through roof, as well as open-air showers. Dinner is served in Bois Cheri’s restaurant – where you can sample local specialties. 

Best for: A unique trip you'll be talking about for years to come. 
Which room? Every room option comes with a lake view and all the necessities. 
Time Out tip: Half board packages include a welcome drink, dinner and breakfast at the restaurant and a range of activities from tea tastings to museum visits. 

Rolls Royce Phantom transfers for a gourmet picnic on a deserted beach set the tone of the opulent, all-villa Maradiva Resort & Spa with mountain and sea views, where custom-designed Hermes wallpaper and dining on delicious Indian food beneath Raj tents is the norm. Special mention goes to the Ayurvedic temple-like spa and the fact that three members of staff are assigned to each villa; basically, it’s impossible to return home not looking relaxed and refreshed, and feeling a lot lighter in both pocket and outlook.

Best for: A trip where you won't have to lift a finger. 
Which room? All villas are spacious, with some boasting infinity pools and 24-hour butler service. 
Time Out tip: You can get spa treatments tailored to your needs, based on advice from a resident Indian Ayurvedic doctor. 

The island’s original boutique hotel continues to innovate, from cocktails served in a Bedouin-style tent to renting out mini mokes so you can explore the island at your own pace. Set in a coconut grove overlooking a small, private beach in lively Grand Baie, 20 Degrees Sud's elegant white facade has a beachy, laid-back vibe which continues through to the peaceful pool area, Secret Spa and 36 airy rooms and suites, all with a four-poster and balcony or terrace to chill on.

Best for: A wellness retreat that also involves a few beverages. 
Which room? Private pools and terraces are just some of the special features available. 
Time Out tip: There are offers available to guests booking for a special occasion, including wedding anniversaries and honeymoons. 

There are 18,000 bottles of wine to choose from (it’s the biggest cellar in the region) at this super-stylish gourmet getaway with a dash of French flair. Indigo restaurant is sensational; think mouth-watering sashimi and wagyu steak eaten beneath blue cabanas, while feet-in-the-sand LAKAZE serves seafood straight from the grill. Constance Belle Mare Plage's rooms are modern and slick (all have Apple Mac minis), and you’ll never be stuck for something to do with U-Spa, a dive centre, two Championship golf courses and four pools on your doorstep.

Best for: A relaxing retreat fuelled by wine. 
Which room? All rooms offer space, style and comfort at a reasonable price compared to other resorts on the island. 
Time Out tip: There's a kids club on site, giving you the chance to play golf, sunbathe or take to the sea for water sports. 

Mauritius is a kitesurfing hot spot and this five-star former plantation house is the best place to learn (it has an on-site club and beachfront suites overlooking One Eye, a legendary kiting spot). Thanks, however, to its position near the base of Le Morne mountain, the resort’s highly Instagrammable golden beach is sheltered from the wind. When you’re not being dragged around the bay, your butler (every room’s assigned one) is happy to arrange another activity, like climbing the mountain at sunrise, sampling the five restaurants or going on a dolphin safari.

Best for: Relaxing and exploring in a one-of-a-kind location, set against a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
Which room? You'll be impressed by them all, especially the grand beachfront villa with plunge pools, an infinity pool, a personal butler and ocean views from your bed. 
Time Out tip: Be sure to explore the island's natural wonders, like the incredible underwater waterfall.