The most romantic hotels for a Mauritius honeymoon
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 best luxury 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, riotous temples and colonial houses to the thrill of riding the longest zip-line ride in the world or a tandem skydive from 10,000ft – 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.
Constance Prince Maurice
Poste de Flacq, Mauritius
9Telegraph expert rating
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. They go the extra mile to ensure a special experience, remembering details such as drink preferences, and adding personal touches in the rooms. The Princely Villa is one of the island's most private, with its own beach, two pools, three terraces and round-the-clock butler. Read expert review From £583per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Oberoi Mauritius
Turtle Bay Marine Park, Balaclava, Mauritius
9Telegraph expert rating
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. Complimentary activities include wine-tasting in the gunpowder room, stargazing with Hindu mythology, a ceremony at Maheswarnath temple and a session creating rum arrangé with local fruits. Read expert review From £510per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel
Cap Malheureux, Mauritius
8Telegraph expert rating
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, if small, manicured, 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 which includes premium drinks, in-room continental breakfast and room service, a dinner with wine pairing and rum tasting, along with a pampering massage and steam baths. Read expert review From £204per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa
Trou d'Eau Douce, Mauritius
8Telegraph expert rating
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. Interiors are awash with earthy design: salvaged tree roots hold up glass tables in the lobby and subtle animal prints appear on textiles and marble floors. With beach boys on segways delivering fruit kebabs, sorbet and a sunglass polish to your sun lounger, and 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. Read expert review From £383per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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One&Only Le Saint Géran
Mauritius
9Telegraph expert rating
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. The colonial-style architecture has been blended with understated contemporary classics, soft furnishings and artwork reflecting the tropical surrounds. 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. Read expert review From £628per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The St Regis Mauritius Resort
Le Morne, Mauritius
9Telegraph expert rating
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 on Mauritius' southwest tip. 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. Le Morne is also the island’s best kitesurfing spot, and hotel even has a club. 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. Read expert review From £415per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa
Wolmar, Flic-en-Flac, Mauritius
9Telegraph expert rating
This award-winning hotel is the only villa-only property on the island. It's 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. The 65 elegant pool villas are discreetly hidden from view. Read expert review From £622per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort
Mauritius
9Telegraph expert rating
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, spacious bathrooms and balconies, four-poster beds draped in white muslin (in Junior suites) and a 24-hour butler. Honeymooners can now spend the night in a huge colonial suite with a wraparound balcony in Heritage Le Château, the owners’ former residence. In the evenings, head to C Beach Club, the first on the island, which attracts international DJs and has a trendy lounge bar, Chill, overlooking the sea. Read expert review From £272per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Shanti Maurice
Chemin Grenier, Mauritius
8Telegraph expert rating
This romantic-but-informal boutique hotel is set in mature tropical gardens on a horseshoe-shaped cove in the unspoiled 'wild' south. Suites and villas have large windows with expansive views and spacious balconies. Villas with private pools are secluded on a non-swimming section of the beach. Rum Shed, with walls created from reclaimed fishing boat planks to echo the shabby-chic style of the island's rum shops, has an impressive selection of cocktails – or head to the sunset lounge by the beach for a romantic sundowner. The hotel offers watersports, guided cycling to the Vortex or the market at Chemin Grenier, and snorkelling in scenic Blue Bay. Otherwise, head to the award-winning Shanti Spa. Read expert review From £420per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Lakaz Chamarel Exclusive Lodge
Chamarel, Mauritius
9Telegraph expert rating
Nestled in flower-filled tropical gardens, nothing is run of the mill at this daringly different inland retreat. Set at an altitude of 400m in undulating green hills, 10 minutes' walk from sleepy Chamarel village in the southwest, which Malcolm de Chazal, the Mauritian poet, once called home. 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. Cookery lessons, yoga and meditation are available. Don't miss the excellent massages at the spa, hidden behind bamboo walls. Read expert review From £186per night
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LUX Grand Gaube
Grand Gaube, Mauritius
8Telegraph expert rating
This secluded retreat is cosy and intimate, with a Zen-like feel. Crescents of low rise Mediterranean-style ivory villas drip with bougainvillea – with matching hot-pink towels on sun loungers – and cradle the curves of two bays. The hotel features five pools, including an adults-only pool on the tip of the peninsula and another in a grotto at the spa, which also offers heated whirlpool baths, hot stone massages and tai chi under the banyan tree. Guests also have free access to paddle boarding, waterskiing and tennis. They may even see turtles swimming over the coral on seaplane trips over the north coast, or take a private island hopping trip by wooden pirogue (fishing boat) with a barbecue on Ile d’Ambre. Read expert review From £232per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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La Maison d'Eté
Poste Lafayette, Mauritius
9Telegraph expert rating
Parisian Brigitte Baranés was looking for a home, but fell in love with this boutique hotel perched beside an untamed beach shaded by casuarinas in the wilder, less developed northeast coast, with rocky coastal walks and bike rides on the doorstep. French-style simplicity is reflected in the white-painted walls with charming accents of red, gastronomic lunches beside the sea, and lovely rooms. Expect generous bunches of anthurium flowers, and a painted pirogue bobbing prettily at sea. 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. Read expert review From £138per night
