Known officially as the Republic of Mauritius, this group of islands are located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2000 kilometres from the eastern coast of Africa. Adventurers from several countries saw the appeal of the islands, with their glistening waters and white sands and in times of discovery, the islands of Mauritius were controlled and put into a number of hands; the most prominent today being the French, which left a lasting impression. The islands are considered as multi-ethnic, with both French and English being two commonly spoken languages.
There’s no doubt that the islands of Mauritius are some of the most beautiful in the world. Today, the number of resorts scattered throughout the islands is in the hundreds, and yet the place is as beautiful as ever with palm trees, white sand beaches, crystal water and easy-going lifestyle. The best part about Mauritius is its undeniable luxury, so here we give you the five most beautiful luxurious resorts to consider on your visit to the stunning Mauritius:
The best places to stay on Mauritius: Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa
The Maradiva is located on the West Coast of Mauritius and is a resort dedicated to classic style and luxury. Ranked five stars, it offers guests private villas on stretches of amazing beaches that overlook a stunning bay – as well as an award winning holistic spa, delectable traditional cuisine and a private pool for every villa on grounds.
You won’t even need to leave the grounds when staying at the Maradiva because everything is offered on-site. There’s a gym and fitness centre, a spa, a five-star restaurant and bar. Water sports are free including snorkelling, water skiing, sail boating, kayaking and wind surfing. For an extra fee, you can also organise day trips including sunset cruises, swimming with dolphins, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, golfing and horse racing – and all can be done at the resort so there’s no need to stress about extra booking or travelling transfers.
Guests have the option of several types of villa, depending on their room needs and specifications. However, each room does come with a private pool and has been designed for optimal privacy – some with views of the ocean, others with views of the garden.
For more information on the Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa, please visit: www.maradiva.com/en
Royal Palm
Royal Palm is one of the older, more established resorts – it has been around now for 30 years, but it still remains as one of the most prestigious and luxurious resorts in Mauritius. The resort has a spectacular beach front, and offers 69 spacious villas each with a view of the turquoise water lagoon that surrounds the resort.
The spa at the Royal Palm resort is owned and run by Clarins and the resort was the first hotel in the Indian Ocean to become a member of the Leading Hotels of the World – it has years worth of awards and success under its belt; not to mention the beach and the villas are both very beautiful and well-kept.
The best part about the Royal Palm is that it accommodates to all different kinds of guests. There are rooms perfectly suited to families, and there are both babysitting and kids club available to keep the little ones entertained. Aside from that, you can relax at the Clarins Spa, go to the beauty salon or hair dresser, You can play tennis, squash, hit up the fitness centre or maybe go for a kayak, swim, and snorkel or windsurf.
For more information on the Royal Palm, please visit: http://www.beachcomber-hotels.com/hotel/royal-palm.html
Le Touessrok
Overlooking the gorgeous Trou d’Eau Douce Bay is Le Touessrok, a designer luxury resort with an award winning championship golf course and Givenchy spa. The lagoon facing this resort is what makes it so spectacular – it really showcases how beautiful Mauritius is with loads of palm trees and an impressive beachfront.
Out on the lagoon are two islands; Illot Managénie and Ile aux Cerfs both belonging  to the resort, home to the championship 18-hole golf course. There are also five restaurants to choose from at the resort, each offering five star decadent cuisines.
There are a number of complimentary activities offered by the resort, mostly water sports in the lagoon. Guests have the option between rooms, suites and villas and the resort really has an option for each budget.
For more information on Le Touessrok, please visit: http://www.letouessrokresort.com/en/a-5-star-hotel-in-mauritius
St Regis
Located on the southwest side of the main island of Mauritius is the St Regis Resort, known for its location on the white sands of Morne Beach. It is one of the larger resorts in the area with 172 functioning guest rooms and suites, each with unique and spectacular views of the ocean and surrounds.
The St Regis is renowned for its great service and exclusive offers. At the resort, you can visit the Iridium spa that offers twelve private rooms. It also has a number of bars and restaurants which are all of amazing quality, run by star master chefs.
The St Regis is particularly great for couples; although all of the rooms sleep three and up – it’s really a place for couples to relax, whether it is as a getaway, an anniversary or for a honeymoon. All of the rooms are super private with terraces, some with balconies and great views of the surrounding lagoon. It’s like a home away from home.
For more information on the St Regis, please visit: http://www.stregismauritius.com/en/
The Residence
The Residence is a resort quite unlike the rest, offering guests astounding accommodation that combines both modernity and tradition of the Mauritius islands. It has also been voted previously as the best hotel in Mauritius. The suites surround a large pool, located in the centre of the resort, which faces a beautiful beachfront.
The Residence is located on the east coast of Mauritius and the buildings are quite different to that of the typical resort – there are hints of Indian and French colonialism and the deck is the perfect place to hang out with a fruity drink in hand if you are after a great view of the pool and the beach.
There are 135 rooms to choose from and 28 suites, each of which offer different views and are varying in size. Each room has a butler service and is decorated with elegant furniture pieces that could be fit for the colonial era. You’ll definitely feel like part of the elite in one of The Residence’s suites.
For more information on The Residence, please visit: http://www.theresidence.com/mauritius/