Where to Stay in Mauritius & Tips on Best Hotels
Find out where to stay in Mauritius. Plan your vacation with this guide that covers the best areas to stay in Mauritius, and includes tips on best hotels, and things to do in each part of the island.
Roughly 2000 kilometers off the African continent lies a small tropical island with stunning waterfalls, mountains, lush native forests, turquoise lagoons, and superb beaches. For many, Mauritius is the 'dream come true' destination, that everyone has to visit once in a lifetime, for the rest, it's a getaway to paradise.
Apart from its incredible scenery, warm sea, and white-sand beaches, Mauritius offers a wide range of water activities, things to do, possibly the best hotels and resorts in this region, and an excellent all-year-round climate.
Often ranked as one of the most romantic islands in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius offers great accommodation options ranging from laidback luxury resorts, idyllic hotels, to small family guesthouses.
Like a lot of travelers to Mauritius, you are probably wondering, which part of the island would be the best fit for you.
And it is essential to gather all the information, read all travel guides available, and answer to this question right.
Each place in Mauritius has its charm, and there are no clear winners or losers, it's just about your preferences and likings.
One more thing. Mauritius is a super popular destination with honeymooners, but it also happens to be a place where people get married. Couples who want to celebrate their wedding or get married on the beach have a lot of options here, and if you are the lucky ones, make sure to look for the hotels extra carefully.
Though it might seem like a daunting task to choose the best hotel, area, and plan your trip to Mauritius in general, don't worry about it anymore, we've got you covered.
WHERE TO STAY IN MAURITIUS
Mauritius divides into four distinct regions.
The well-developed west and north have a lot in common. These are the regions where you will find the majority of hotels, shopping malls, great beaches, nightlife, and plenty of things to do.
The south is wild, rugged, mountainous, and offers a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere, although most of it is not protected by the coral reef, so the selection of the beaches is limited.
The east is sought by travelers who want to escape the crowds, and if you prefer traveling this way, it may be a good idea to start your research there.
If you know where to look, there is always a perfect place to stay waiting for you on Mauritius.
BEST AREAS IN MAURITIUS
In this blog post, we are going to split Mauritius into four parts. Each region has its pros and cons, and also the time of the year you travel to Mauritius plays an important factor in deciding where to stay in Mauritius.
Another significant thing to consider before you book the hotel is if you want to stay put in one hotel or to change places frequently. As Mauritius is very small and compact, changing hotels is, in our opinion, a waste of time.
You can easily explore Mauritius with a rental car on a day trips from your hotel. Regardless of your choice, renting a car is a must to fully explore Mauritius. More about it in the next paragraph.
WEST MAURITIUS
West Mauritius is often represented by Flic en Flac.
Once a quiet seaside village, Flic en Flac has grown into a popular tourist town with a great range of hotels and restaurants.
Much of Mauritius' tourist activity happens in this area, where honeymooners like to indulge in luxury hotels, families with kids swim and snorkel in the shallow waters, and active travelers hike around Tamarin Falls.
The famous Flic en Flac beach stretches for several kilometers, and it's one of the main reasons why to choose this place for your stay. The town is also located somewhere in between the south and north areas, which gives you a great opportunity to explore most of the island on day trips.
Although public transport runs between the towns, it's not the best nor reliable, and we couldn't imagine exploring Mauritius without a car.
We based ourselves in Flic en Flac for fourteen days, and it felt like the right choice for us.
As Flic en Flac has a beautiful beach and offers so many accommodation options, we've decided to include in our list two hotels in this town, and one in a Riviere Noire District.
Flic en Flac | L'Oiseau de L'Ocean Tourist Residence - Although Flic en Flac is not exactly a budget-friendly destination, this cozy hotel offers clean and spacious rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and great service for a very affordable price. The location is about 1.5 kilometers from the beach, but they have complimentary bikes and shuttle, that goes to the beach and mall. You will have a hard time to find better accommodation in this price range than this hotel.
Flic en Flac | Sands Suites Resort & Spa - A big luxury resort overlooking Tamarin Bay is a perfect retreat from the crowded Flic en Flac town. Located at the southernmost tip of the Flic en Flac Beach, this hotel has bright and spacious rooms, a spa, two tennis courts, and three restaurants. Fun water activities such as scuba diving or snorkeling are available, and you can play a game of golf on a nearby course in your free time.
Riviere Noire | La Mariposa Mauritius - Don't want to stay in Flic en Flac like everyone else? Drive about 20-30 minutes south, and you will soon reach the Black River district. Set along a private beach, La Mariposa Mauritius features a spa, an onsite bar, an outdoor swimming pool, and a charming garden.
NORTH MAURITIUS
The northwest has gorgeous beaches, many must-visit places and arguably the best choice of hotels, restaurants, and other services.
Together with the west, this is the area where most of the visitors decide to stay. There are many things to do in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, but we would stay in one of the towns or villages north of the city.
From Balaclava to Trou Aux Biches, from Grand Baie to Cap Malheureux, there is no shortage of hotels, and places to choose from.
The north is perfect for travelers who like to socialize and meet people from all over the world.
When in the area, don't forget to visit one of the oldest botanical gardens in the southern hemisphere, the famous Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden.
Grand Baie is the most popular area, but we tried to find hotels a little bit outside this bay.
Pointe aux Canonniers | Le Mandala Moris - Set in Pointe Aux Canonniers near Mont Choisy beach, Le Mandala Moris is a small and quiet guesthouse with a pretty garden, an outdoor swimming pool, and barbecue facilities. All rooms are airconditioned and equipped with a kitchenette.
Pereybere | Toparadis Guest House - Located in a quiet setting close to Cap Malheureux and Pereybere beach, Toparadis Guest House offers affordable accommodation in the northernmost tip of Mauritius. This friendly guesthouse features a private parking, an outdoor swimming pool, and air-conditioned rooms.
Balaclava | The Oberoi Beach Resort - Even in the bustling north, you will find luxury retreats that will make you forget about the stress of everyday life. Located in the Turtle Bay, The Oberoi Beach Resort features beautiful, spacious, and air-conditioned rooms, a swimming pool, tropical gardens, a spa, wellness center, and a pristine beach. For active travelers, the hotel offers water activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, or windsurfing.
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SOUTH MAURITIUS
South Mauritius is hands down our favorite region in Mauritius.
With places such as Le Morne, Chamarel, Black River Gorges National Park, Souillac, or Gris Gris, there is just so much to do and see in South Mauritius.
The most beautiful place to stay in South Mauritius is Le Morne Peninsula, dominated by the same name mountain. This place has great luxury hotels, and many travelers decide to base themselves there.
With a peaceful charm, the south is almost the opposite of a vibrant and busy north.
Keep in mind, that Le Morne is a very exclusive area, and a night in the hotel on the peninsula won't come cheap.
Chamarel | Hotel Chalets Chamarel - Tired of beaches and crowds? Stay for a few nights in Hotel Chalets Chamarel near the same-name village, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, breathtaking views, and hikes in the forest. This is a perfect getaway for a couple of nights for travelers who don't want to stay at the same place the whole time. The hotel is perched atop the hill, and the views of the bay, Le Morne mountain, and the Indian Ocean will blow you away. The chalets are set well apart and offer unparalleled privacy.
Le Morne | LUX Le Morne - You've probably seen the picture of Le Morne peninsula in every guidebook and brochure. With 556 meters and surrounded by superb beaches, the famous Le Morne mountain dominates the southwest coastline. LUX Le Morne is one of the best resorts in south Mauritius, and you will have a great time there. The hotel is located on a fine sand beach and offers many fun and adventure activities such as kite surfing, scuba diving, or windsurfing. The sunsets on the west coast are breathtaking, so make sure you book the room with a sea view.
La Gaulette | Pingo Studios - It's not easy to find the right place to stay at Le Morne peninsula for same minded travelers like us who don't want to break a bank for accommodation.
These modern, spacious, and air-conditioned studios are only a 5-minute drive by car from the peninsula and perfect place for people who want to enjoy Le Morne on a budget.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
EAST MAURITIUS
Often overlooked by visitors, East Mauritius offers a perfect blend of beaches, tranquil atmosphere, and azure seas.
Surprisingly, East Mauritius features one of the most tourist places on the whole island, the famous Ile Aux Cerfs.
However, travel north of this island, and you may find a completely different world.
Less developed, more laidback, with even more beaches and mangroves, the east offers a vastly different experience than its counterparts.
East is a wind-prone area, and during several months, the coastline is lashed by strong winds.
East coast is about treating yourself, that's why we've included two luxury resorts and one affordable condo-hotel in this guide.
Pointe d'Esny | Here Paradise - Situated in Blue Bay, this condo-hotel has an excellent location and offers an outdoor swimming pool, a private garden, terrace, units equipped with kitchenette, and the beach is only a two-minute walk from the property. Rooms are modern, spacious and very clean, continental or buffet breakfast is served in the morning, and the staff is very helpful. Great value for your money.
Trou d’eau Douce | Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa - Set in a tropical garden with superb views of the Indian Ocean, Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa is one of the best hotels in Mauritius. This is a five-star luxury hotel that offers sophisticated rooms, five onsite restaurants (Japanese, Indian, etc.), great facilities such as fitness center, golf, or terrace bar. You will also have exclusive access to Ilot Mangenie, a private island north of Ile Aux Cerfs.
Poste de Flacq | Constance Prince Maurice - Exclusive hotel near Poste de Flacq offers a private beach where you can swim, windsurf and snorkel, two restaurants (one of them is a floating restaurant), spa and wellness center, beautiful suites overlooking the Indian Ocean, and a free shuttle to a golf course. This is a perfect tropical hideaway away from the bustling west coast.
HOW MANY DAYS YOU NEED FOR VISITING MAURITIUS
Most visitors usually choose to stay in Mauritius for seven to fourteen days.
However, this is very individual, and we can't speak for yourselves.
It really depends on what you want to see and do, and how many days for your vacation you have.
We spent on Mauritius fourteen days, and this is probably an optimal balance between active and relaxing holidays.
Seven days seems to us as the absolute minimum length of stay, and we would feel rushed to see everything we wanted. There is just so much thing to do and see in Mauritius, that anything less than seven days would make your vacation very hectic.
Ten days is always a great compromise if you don't have a lot of vacation days or don't want to take them all at once.
Three weeks in Mauritius would be an overkill unless you are a huge beach bum or just don't want to go home, like ever.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
