Where to stay in Mauritius for the ultimate paradise escape

The Marie Claire Beauty Team discovers the idyllic island that is Mauritius. Words by Sarah Barnes

On a green gem in the Indian Ocean, Long Beach Mauritius is your chosen destination for forgetting troubles and unwinding in heavenly sunshine. Out of office, here we come.

Why go:

A short drive from the airport and you arrive at the manicured gates of Long Beach Mauritius. Located along the tropical east coast of the island, this luxury 5 star hotel is a bubble of bliss, beauty and relaxation.

Whether you want to just lounge, sunbath and swim or adventurously dive into endless water-sports, everything is at your fingertips. A quick check-in done via nifty I-pad and you and your luggage are whisked off by golf buggy to your room – just open the balcony doors and the ocean awaits.

What’s involved

Long Beach Mauritius manages to be vast but still charming as rooms and suits have a ‘beach living’ design with spacious green and white décor and chic bathrooms complete with fluffy bathrobes. While floor to celling windows let in that morning light and beds are so vast that catching up on sleep will never have been easier.

The main hotel is based around the black and white tiled piazza, shaded by palm trees. Wander off along one of the many paths and take your pick of the main swimming pool complete with floating beds or the amazing infinity pool, a secret escape that overlooks the resort. This is where miles and miles of pristine white sandy beach melts into crystal water, only disturbed by the generous scattering of thatched umbrellas and loungers for you to while away the hours on.

The two beach bars, Shores and Tides, offer an afternoon retreat from the hot sun where you can sit with salt on your skin and sand in your hair sipping on fruit infused cocktails and snacking on fresh gazpacho and local fish dishes. Yes please.

Dine at:

With four restaurants there is variety night after night- which to choose first?

1. Le Marche

Serving a buffet style array of breakfast foods from a full English to fresh omelettes and towers of fresh fruits and pastries- you will be going up for seconds each morning we guarantee. It also serves international buffet dinners each night- who knows which delicious theme it will be?

2. Sapori

The stylish Italian à la carte offering up risotto, fresh pasta dishes, carpaccio and Mediterranean meats, all washed down with a bottle of wine. Eat on the patio and people watch to your heart's content.

3. Hasu

Designed with a zen-like flair, you will be flocking here for refreshing sushi and Japanese delicacies all presented like art on a plate. Diners have to be over 16. so this is one for parents to sneak off to for a romantic meal.

4. Chopsticks

Feeling something spicy and full of flavour? This causal restaurant serves up traditional Asian dishes for both lunch and dinner.

You really must

1. Treat yourself to the ultimate unwind at the Cinq Mondes Spa

Snuggled among the tropical grounds of the hotel, the spa is a hide away for some true alone time. After being greeted with a cool cloth and iced water you can relax pre-treatment on little cocoon beds alongside the water.

Inspired by local ingredients the traditional treatments and beauty rituals will have you feeling zen in no time.

We recommend the 50 minute Deep-Relaxing Balinese Massage, leaving your body like jelly and you head in the clouds.

2. Tear yourself away from the resort for a day and visit Ile Aux Cerfs Island

A private island for hotel guests only – snazzy. A short ride over blue waters via speedboat and you are in yet another paradise.

There is an 18- hole champion golf course waiting to be played, or snorkel off the islands shores and finish with a beach bar cocktail in a hammock looking out to sea. Can we just live here please?

3. Not one to sit still? Kayak, water ski, windsurf and para-sail off the hotel shores

The hotel is also a kids paradise with a amazing children’s club. With painting classes, pizza making, and even archery lessons- they won't want to leave!

Long Beach Mauritius, a five-star resort nestled on the beautiful white sands of Belle Mare, is uniquely modern and provides the ultimate escape for discerning guests seeking a blissful haven with equal measures of relaxation and activity. It offers unprecedented service and contemporary luxury for active couples and families along an immaculate beach that melts into cyan waters, where the energy is so pure and vibrant that you can feel it.

From £224 per room per night based on two people half-board basis at longbeachmauritius.com/en

Make each trip a voyage of discovery this summer; fly direct or from a choice of Regional UK airports to Mauritius and save on airfare with Air Mauritius. Book today at www.airmauritius.com or call Air Mauritius service Centre on 0207 434 4375