The best accommodations Mauritius

Budget & Tips

Although Mauritius has a majority of luxury hotels and is sold as a high-end destination, it is nevertheless within the reach of all budgets in terms of accommodation. Each region offers a wide range of accommodations: from small, inexpensive bungalows to luxury resorts, charming hotels, guest houses and modern apartments. What most of the facilities have in common is aesthetics and quality. Most of the constructions privilege natural materials (thatch, wood, stone), the buildings are widely opened on the outside (and a fortiori on the ocean), the constructions remain on a human scale and coconut height. The only categories absent are youth hostels and public campsites (not to mention a few very nice private camps in the wilderness like lodges) - a sign of a certain threshold of requirement in terms of overall standing.

As everywhere else, prices vary according to the season and the standard of the accommodation, but if you are on a tight budget, you will be able to stay without any problem in small tourist residences equipped with a kitchen or share the price of a villa or an apartment. But wouldn't it be a shame to come to a dream island without waking up in the morning facing the lagoon or enjoying the superb hotels or charming residences that line the coastline? Especially since on the island, if the luxury hotels are exceptional (lush landscaped parks, swimming pools, spa, gym, range of bars and restaurants, plethora of activities, miniclub and teen club, etc.), the smaller 2 and 3 star hotels are also very charming and perfectly run. In any case, when choosing a stay in a 3 to 5 star hotel, it is best to choose a flight and accommodation package through a French or Mauritian tour operator. For accommodations such as guest houses, bungalows or apartments in a small residence, book directly and take the flight separately.

To be booked

Except during the hottest month of June, one does not improvise a trip to Mauritius. Loved by the French, the destination is often full during the French school vacations, and more generally during the European school holidays, especially the Christmas holidays which require a reservation almost a year in advance. Seasonality remains an important factor in terms of prices and attendance. Very high season: Christmas and New Year. High season: October to December and January to April. Mid season: May to September. Low season: June.

What's very local

In addition to the large hotel industry whose establishments occupy a large part of the coastline, beyond the villas, apartments and bungalows for rent in all price ranges, Mauritius has developed a small "hotel" of charm in the form of guesthouses, lodges in the middle of nature, boutique-hotels of small size and character, rooms in planters' houses. This is an opportunity to leave the coast occasionally to immerse yourself in the lush nature of the interior, especially in the pretty village of Chamarel, which has several high quality units such as Chalets Chamarel (www.chalestchamarel.com), Lakaz Chamarel Exclusive Lodge (www.lakazchamarel.com), La Vieille Cheminée (www.la vieillecheminée.com). In the southeast, turn to the beautiful Ferney Nature Lodge (www.ferney.mu). Or opt for the transparent bubbles in the tea plantations of Bois Chéri (inland south) or on the beach of Ile aux Cerfs in the east (www.bubble-lodge.com). To go back in time and stay in an authentic and superb colonial house, the best address is La Demeure Saint Antoine (www.lademeuresaintantoine.com).

For food lovers

Most hotels offer all-you-can-eat breakfasts which can be gargantuan and sumptuous in 4 and 5 star establishments. In the guesthouses, it is much simpler, but the food being delicious in Mauritius, one will certainly have the pleasure of tasting local specialties, good home-made jams or exotic fruits from the garden. In rentals (from bungalows to luxury villas), for a fee, breakfast can be ordered on request, it is usually a service offered.

Smokers

Smoking is not allowed inside hotels and often not even in restaurants and bars with structures open to the outside. Be completely outdoors (terrace) to be able to do so.