The best hotels in Mauritius for a honeymoon – on one of the Indian Ocean's most romantic islands
Please note our writers visited the following hotels prior to the coronavirus pandemic
Mauritius, with its miles of beautiful white-sand beaches backed by lush forests and dramatic volcanic peaks, is made for romance, with some of the most romantic hotels in the Indian Ocean. Private plunge pools, butlers and helicopter transfers are on offer, along with some of the best gourmet restaurants in the region and top-notch spas. There’s also plenty to do and see away from the beach, from visiting colourful markets and exploring temples to riding the longest zip-line in the world or joining a tandem skydive – all in a space the size of Surrey. Perhaps best of all, romance here is affordable – Mauritius has some of the best-value deals in the region. Here's our pick of the best hotels in Mauritius for couples.
This calm, discreet and secluded six-star hideaway oozes luxury, with suites and thatched villas spread across hectares of tropical greenery. Some have direct access to the beach, and yet others, as big as houses, sit on stilts above the mangroves. The infinity pool is one of the loveliest on the island, with cabanas big enough for two. Guest comfort is a priority, and with almost two staff per guest, pampering is guaranteed. The Princely Villa is one of the island's most private, with its own beach, two pools, three terraces and round-the-clock butler.
? The most romantic hotels in the Indian Ocean
A beautifully formed basalt beachfront retreat with luxury pavilions and private pool villas set in tropical gardens on Turtle Bay. It's one of the island’s most romantic hotels, with mountain views, gourmet restaurants, a holistic, temple-like spa (one of the island's best) and top-notch service. A Feng Shui-style waterfall cascades into a lake of waterlilies and Koi carp at the entrance. Seventy-one serene and lofty sea-facing luxury pavilions and walled villas, named after plants in the garden, all have four-poster beds in American oak.
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Designed with romance in mind, the property is scattered with thatched love nests, more than 100 sunbeds and a winding sandy path through sculpted gardens leading to a lovely cliff-top infinity pool overlooking the Northern Islands. The hotel is painted a restful white, with splashes of vibrant colour, and encircles a pretty man-made cove with swim-up platforms. Rooms and suites are clad in dreamy white with teak furniture, muslin-draped four-poster beds, and balconies. Opt for the 'You & me' all-inclusive package for a treat.
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A network of palm-fringed paths pass through tropical gardens to the resort's low-rise, Mediterranean-style villas, which are dotted around the beaches. With beach boys on segways delivering fruit kebabs, sorbet and a sunglass polish to your sun lounger, plus a 24-hour butler assigned to your villa, you won't have to lift a finger. There's an adults-only pool in a palm grove with a whirlpool tub, double daybeds and nest beds. There's a healing own-brand CHI spa with an ayurvedic garden where guests can custom make massage oils.
? The best hotels in Mauritius
With the whole island to choose from, this resort settled for the best spot – a sheltered sandspit on the glam northeast with over a mile of white-sand beaches and 60 acres of gardens. It has the best boathouse on the island, on a calm lagoon, three infinity pools (one adults-only) and Club One, which has state-of-the-art fitness facilities, classes and tennis courts. Couples will love the swing seat at Tapasake which faces the sunset and is a good spot to settle down in early-evening when a DJ starts playing, as well as the live music under the stars at La Terrasse.
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Breakfast at Tiffany's meets the tropics in this sumptuous former sugar baron's plantation house set on one of the island's most stunning and sheltered stretches of blond beach. The giant monolith, Le Morne Brabant, provides a dramatic backdrop, and a heady climb, and Black River Gorge National Park and a dolphin safari are nearby attractions. Exquisite experiences include a couples ylang ylang massage in a cabana by the beach followed by a health 'detox' or 'booster' breakfast for two. Lavish Beachfront Grand Suites, which overlook the renowned "One Eye" kite-surfing spot, have the wow factor.
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This award-winning all-villa hotel is set on a quiet stretch of white sand beach – Tamarin Mountain provides a rugged backdrop – on the island's warmer, sheltered west coast. Maradiva feels peaceful and private, yet it's only 30 minutes' walk along the beach – or a quick taxi ride – to bustling Flic-en-Flac. Don't miss an early morning swim with the dolphin pod in Tamarin Bay, which can be arranged (for a fee) on the hotel's private boat. Otherwise, hang out at the hotel's spacious ayurvedic spa, which resembles a temple, with Indian artefacts and cascading pools shaded by frangipani and hibiscus.
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This dynamic yet intimate five-star colonial-style resort is located on a quiet but narrow stretch of sandy beach. There are two pools, and a PADI dive centre, plus the sensual chakra-balancing spa. Sea-facing rooms and suites are generously sized and have floor-to-ceiling French windows, four-poster beds draped in white muslin (in Junior suites) and a 24-hour butler. Honeymooners can spend the night in a huge colonial suite at Heritage Le Chateau, the owners’ former residence. In the evenings, head to the beach club which attracts international DJs and has a trendy lounge bar overlooking the sea.
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20 Degrees Sud lies in a coconut grove on the waterfront, with a small but sheltered private beach. It's elegant and exclusive with an intimate atmosphere in public areas and guest rooms, all built around one of two freshwater pools where sun loungers and cabanas beckon. The hotel has 29 air-conditioned Charm and Beachfront rooms and seven suites, each with either a terrace or balcony. The four spacious Austral suites are right on the water's edge, with four-poster beds and a plunge pool or whirlpool bath. There's also a two-storey villa suite, which is secluded and comes with a large terrace and private pool.
? The world's best honeymoon hotels
Nestled in flower-filled tropical gardens, nothing is run of the mill at this daringly different inland retreat. Hiking in the Black River Gorge is on the doorstep and a shuttle to Le Morne beach runs thrice daily (except Sundays). The eco-lodges are nestled discreetly among mango trees, frangipani and hibiscus, and guests can explore the grounds with the gardeners. The sea-view suites are set on a steep hill and golf carts are on hand. The hotel has 15 pools (13 private and two public) and free bicycles for exploring. Don't miss the excellent massages at the spa, hidden behind bamboo walls.
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Set on a secluded peninsula beside Grand Gaube village, this intimate and secluded retreat – styled by British designer Kelly Hoppen – has a good mix of everything, from gourmet dining to activities galore. Crescents of low-rise, Mediterranean-style villas dripping with bougainvillea cradle the curves of two golden sand bays and there are three main pools, including an adults-only pool, and a spa. The sea-facing rooms and suites, along with three villas, are open-plan and clothed in soothing whites with a dash of colour. Romantic Junior suites have outdoor vintage bathtubs overlooking the sea.
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Parisian Brigitte Baranés was looking for a home, but fell in love with this boutique hotel perched beside an untamed beach. French-style simplicity is reflected in the white-painted walls with charming accents of red, gastronomic lunches beside the sea, and lovely rooms. The sound of the waves reaches all 16 sea-facing rooms, with generous balconies, ravenala ceilings, eclectic and handcrafted furniture and original artworks. Of three bars, the favourite spot for sundowners is the thatched corner bar in the garden, with red glowing candles on tables, and a piano bar with karaoke on the first Saturday of the month.
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This cosy and refined five-star, nicknamed ‘Royal Calm’, is set on a palm-fringed ivory sand cove in Grand Baie. Service here is attentive, and spoiling, with assigned sun loungers and staff who remember your preferences. Three small pools include an adults-only beachfront infinity pool, and a spa, set in a serene pavilion with a sun deck and pool, offers revitalising treatments from a Reiki master. The retro-style circular sunken bar’s open-air lounge has the best sea views for a sundowner and features mellow live music. Room service incurs no extra charge, and breakfast can be served on your balcony until noon.
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Romance is the aim at this airy, adults-only hotel: the air is scented with frangipani and double sunbeds and bean bags are scattered around the grounds. A beachfront infinity pool overlooks the Northern Islands, and the Seven Colours spa offers a couples' massage class and treatments on a floating platform in the bay. Guests can enjoy cooking lessons at a village home, tandem bike tours of markets and temples, and oyster-picking with a local fisherman (June to September). Romantic touches include all-day breakfast in bed (no extra charge) and candlelit dining à la carte in the Saint Géran restaurant.
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A unique option for couples wanting to spend a night or two away in a bubble lodge on the small island of Ile aux Cerfs. The only way to get here is by boat and there are just three Bubble Lodges on the island – two by the beach and one in the centre of an ancient Banyan tree – meaning that once the last golfer has been ferried back to the mainland at 8pm (the island is home to an 18-hole course), you have the place almost entirely to yourself. The service here could not feel more exclusive. Each lodge is assigned its own private butler. Your only alarm is birdsong.
Contributions by Penny Walker