I was hosted by the fabulous Beachcomber Tours in March this year, along with nine other agents, to visit this beautiful island. This is my second trip hosted with Beachcombers and it didn’t disappoint!
Air Mauritius
Clients can often be a little wary when I recommend the national airline; however, having flown with these guys twice before, I don’t hesitate to recommend them. We even met a couple at the first resort who had paid a considerable amount more to fly with BA, and they noted how old the plane was and that the standard of service wasn’t great.
Air Mauritius was fabulous, the staff and service were exemplary, and the food was great (as good as plane food gets!). My only negative was that the inflight movie selection wasn’t great, so take an iPad full of downloads!
Where we stayed
Shandrani
Situated on the south-east coast, this is a great family resort:
- 3 beaches
- 6 restaurants
- Amazing snorkelling in the Blue Bay Marine Park
- Due to its position on the headland, even though technically in the UK summer you would usually avoid the east coast, this resort is really sheltered from the winds, making it a great option
- Complimentary kids’ club from 3 years, plus “Petit Club” (chargeable) from 2 years
- Huge amount of water sports included (including water skiing, wakeboarding, and snorkel/glass-bottom boat trips)
- Great accommodation choices, including two-bedroom family apartments, rooftop rooms with outdoor jacuzzis, and a specific adults-only block
Dinarobin/Paradis (Golf Hotel)
I’ve grouped these two together as they are next door to each other on the south-west coast. If you stay at one, you can use the facilities at both.
You shouldn’t have favourites, but Dinarobin was my favourite on my 2023 visit, and that hasn’t changed (despite the fact that it is due for a refurb next year).
- 4 restaurants (plus 4 more at Paradis)
- Zen Suites (Dinarobin) – adults only
- I would say Dinarobin is a little quieter, while Paradis is more family-focused, but both have amazing facilities
- On-site golf course at Paradis — for stays of 7+ nights, you get a daily green fee
- The backdrop of Le Morne makes for a simply stunning location
Victoria
Situated on the north-west coast:
- Located on a great stretch of beach
- 4 restaurants, with inter-dining available at Cannonier & Mauricia
- Different in style from the other resorts — more hotel-like and less traditionally Mauritian in appearance
- HUGE amount of water and land sports included (including water skiing, wakeboarding, and snorkel/glass-bottom boat trips)
- Great-sized accommodation — the lead-in rooms are 60m²
- Victoria for 2 – adults only – this is like a resort within a resort, with a collection of 40 rooms (swim-up & ocean view), its own stretch of beach, and its own restaurant
Trou Aux Biches (Golf Hotel)
When this resort is full, there are 1,200 guests and 850 staff members, so the guest-to-staff ratio is exceptionally high.
It feels very authentic here and is due to close from May–October for a refurb.
- Situated on one of the best beaches on the island
- Huge amount of water sports included (including water skiing, wakeboarding, and snorkel/glass-bottom boat trips)
- Kids’ Club from 3 years, plus complimentary Baby Club from 1–3 years
- 2 & 3-bedroom pool villas — here you can stay on the all-inclusive plan, have a butler bring you breakfast, yet still enjoy your own private space, including two or three bedrooms and a fully functioning kitchen
- 7 pools — 1 main resort pool, plus each of the 6 crescent blocks has its own pool (2 of which are heated during the summer)
We also visited the other Beachcomber resorts:
Cannonier (Golf Hotel)
Situated on the north-west coast, this surprised me the most. When I say surprised me, I knew it was fabulous, but I didn’t quite appreciate just how fabulous!
- On-site mini golf course, plus preferential rates at Mont Choisy Le Golf
- 3 restaurants, with inter-dining available at Victoria & Mauricia
- The MOST amazing spa, set in a banyan tree!!
- Brilliant Kids’ & Teen Club, again with an outstanding array of activities for children
- Huge amount of water sports included (including water skiing, wakeboarding, and snorkel/glass-bottom boat trips)
Mauricia
Very much the Beachcomber lead-in property, and for value for money it is great, but it doesn’t feel quite as luxurious as the other properties. However, this is made up for by its proximity to Grand Baie.
- 2 restaurants, with inter-dining available at Victoria & Cannonier
- Kids’ Club from 3 years
- Perfect for younger couples due to its proximity to Grand Baie
Royal Palm
This is one hotel I didn’t get to visit last time, and I’ll be honest — I didn’t know much about it. It tends to fly under the radar, and I think guests who have discovered it want to keep it that way.
The best way to describe Royal Palm is pure, understated luxury. Here, there are four staff members per guest, and no detail is forgotten. This resort is on another level.
It is quiet, beautiful, and intimate, with only 69 rooms and suites.
There’s no all-inclusive option here — just B&B or Half Board — but you are close enough to walk into Grand Baie.
This is one hotel I will absolutely return to. It isn’t adults-only, but it is quite an adult-focused hotel. However, they do still have the usual Beachcomber Kids’ Club (from 3 years).
When to go
Mauritius summer (UK winter) is hot and wet, with warm, humid temperatures and the usual tropical daily downpours.
Mauritius winter (don’t be put off by the word “winter”!) is during the UK summer, which means cooler and drier weather. The opposite of the searing temperatures of Europe, average temperatures during the UK summer are in the early to mid-20s — think a lovely UK summer’s day. Because of this, the deals you can get during the UK summer holidays are outstanding.
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