Best hotels in Mauritius 2023: From boutique hideaways to riverside glampsites

With beautiful beaches and calm waters cradled by coral reef against a backdrop of wind-sculpted forested mini-mountains, Mauritius is a bucket-list destination, complete with a fusion cuisine.

Part of the African continent and one of the Indian Ocean’s most beautiful islands, Mauritius’s main appeal lies in its 177km of coastline, the majority of which is a dazzling palette of peacock hues. The outlying coral reef means that much of the shoreline is protected by translucent lagoons, with the opportunity for snorkelling, diving and water sports out by the reef.

And if you’re after city life, the thriving capital, Port Louis, is where you’ll find the most compact mix of Mauritian culture, with Hindu temples, mosques, Chinese pagodas and Catholic churches.

There’s life to be found in the wild, too – try fruit bats, monkeys, pink pigeons, Mauritius kestrels, Echo parakeets and native songbirds for a start.

A romantic favourite, the island has a reputation for “affordable luxury”. Around 160 hotels sit in an area the size of Surrey, and range from pampering palaces – complete with spa, golf and helicopter transfers – to boutique hideaways and even a riverside glampsite.

The best hotels in Mauritius are:

Neighbourhood: Poste du Flacq

It’s no surprise that the MasterChef judges chose to stay at this seductive, spacious and secluded “six star” boutique haven on the northeast coast. Foodies flock to its Michelin star-studded food festival each spring, and it offers private food pairing dinners among 25,000 world wines in its cellar. Lantern-lit seafood suppers are at the island’s only floating restaurant, tucked in the mangrove.

Its 89 suites have polished teak floors and plantation-style furniture, and the most coveted are the overwater suites on stilts, with a view of the mountains.