Mauritius hotels

Mauritius has no shortage of glamorous five-star resorts which are frequented by celebrities, but also offers numerous charming boutique hotels and cheap city centre lodgings. The Mauritians tend to be extremely warm and hospitable, which helps to explain why many travellers return to this piece of paradise year after year.

Grand Baie is the most popular tourist hub in Mauritius, with an abundance of hotels, bars and restaurants. A water sports haven, Grand Baie has big-swell sweet spots that attract professional surfers, as well as travellers who just want to give stand-up paddling a go on one of the sheltered lagoons.

If a bustling atmosphere is not what you’re looking for, opt to stay nearby in Pereybere, Mont Choisy, or Tour-Aux-Biches. These pleasant towns still have a village vibe, with shacks selling street food and local fishermen hawking their catch of the day.

Unconventional wisdom suggests ‘West is Best’ in Mauritius, due to it being sheltered from the trade winds as well as being more developed and with good access to other parts of the island. Beautiful resorts, private villas, and apartment complexes congregate around Flic en Flac. The capital city, Port Louis, is also on the west side and offers everything from five-star hotels to cheap guest houses.

The east coast is home to the heavyweights (Shangri-La, Four Seasons, One&Only) and a range of charming boutique hotels. Expect powder-white sand beaches, azure seas, lush landscaped gardens, and impeccable service; this is where well-heeled travellers come to rest and relax.

The south coast of Mauritius is not as well developed as the other coasts due to its rugged terrain. As such, an all-inclusive package deal to the few resorts in this location tends to work best for hotel-based travellers.

Away from the glitz and coastal glamour, inland towns such as Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, and Vacoas-Phoenix are where the locals reside. Smart business hotels and cheap guest houses are readily available around the town centres.

Mauritius is ideal for an intimate hotel as part of a picture-perfect beach wedding or for a honeymoon. The most romantic hotels on the island include Maradiva Villas near Flic-en-Flac, The Oberoi in Balaclava, Shangri-La in Trou d’Eau Douce, Constance Le Prince Maurice in Belle Mare, and The Residence, also in Belle Mare. Compare the island’s hotels on TravelSupermarket to find some great deals.

Mauritius is surprisingly affordable in comparison to other islands in the Indian Ocean such as Seychelles, which is good news for budget-conscious travellers. During the high season in December, a self-catering apartment with a private pool in Flic en Flac is available from around £50 a night, while a family-run guest house in Grand Baie usually costs about £35 a night.

Most of these apartments and guest houses are close to the beautiful public beaches and local cafés selling delicious Mauritius food, giving you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the laid-back Mauritian village life that may have attracted you here in the first place.