If you’re searching for a holiday filled with romance, Mauritius is a match made of heaven. It’s an island whose reputation was built on the 18th-century novel Paul et Virginie, which was centred around the romantic sojourn of its titular characters. Its cream-coloured beaches, cerulean waters and rainforest-filled interior have been drawing couples and honeymooners ever since. But it’s also a place awash with pinch-me moments that you’ll remember long after you return from your romantic getaway. Here are a handful of the best…
Private island escape
Just a 10-minute boat ride away from Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Ilot Mangénie is the resort’s picture-perfect private island speckled with palms, ringed by a powder-soft beach and surrounded by a beautiful lagoon. You and your loved one can discover your own intimate slice of this paradise isle by relaxing in a private beach cabana and having your own personal butler on hand to make your day unforgettable.
Indulgent spa treatments
The JW Marriott brand is famous for its legendary spa treatments and its Mauritius resort, which has only recently opened, is no different. The spa here is truly decadent, so why not pamper yourselves with a divine couple’s massage?
Dining under the stars
Eating a meal under a night-time canvas of stars is one of the most romantic settings and The Oberoi Beach Resort does it best on this beautiful island. Book a spot at the resort’s The Restaurant and ask for a table beside its reflection pool, where you can dine with a blanket of stars above and see them reflected in the pool beside you.
Fine cuisine in an elegant setting
For somewhere that delivers gorgeous food in an epic setting, look no further than a meal at Heritage Le Château at Heritage Le Telfair. Dating back to 1765, this elegant former plantation house whisks you back to the 18th-century heyday of the island’s sugar history. Enjoy fine-dining Mauritian cuisine from a menu that has been curated by a Michelin-starred chef while looking out to the well-manicured French gardens. If you can’t bear to leave after your meal, you can even stay the night at the chateau in a colonial suite.
Yoga among tropical gardens
Lakaz Chamarel is a boutique lodged nestled high in the Mauritian mountains and it’s this tropical setting that really slows your pulse. A private yoga session for two among the lodge’s tranquil exotic gardens is island serenity at its best. You’ll feel instantly at peace.
Have a meal overwater
If you’re staying at Constance Prince Maurice on Mauritius’ east coast, there’s at least one thing you can do here that you can’t anywhere else on the island. That’s a meal at Le Barachois, the only floating restaurant in Mauritius. The sunsets here are truly spectacular, but make sure you also keep a look out for Johnny, the restaurant’s resident reef shark! There’s even an adjoining floating bar for some post-dinner drinks.
Go digital-free
Going on holiday or a honeymoon should all be about switching off from the outside world. The team at LUX* Le Morne knows this all too well and their Digital Detox day escape is perfect for couples. First, you’ll elope to a desert island for breakfast, before following that up with an evening dinner surrounded by 500 candles. Sound like the most romantic day ever to us!
An evening on the beach
It sounds like a classic island experience but in Mauritius these kinds of moments are elevated to a new level. At One&Only Le Saint Géran, you can have a private dining evening on its cashmere-soft beach in your very own bohemian tipi. Be prepared to be indulged in plenty of treats throughout the evening, while the tipi’s jewels sparkle spectacularly against the crimson sunset.
Toast your time together
A holiday or honeymoon together is always a cause for celebration. You can toast your love for one another by enjoying a private wine flight experience at Constance Belle Mare Plage’s Blue Penny Cellar. It boasts around 35,000 bottles from over 2,500 wineries around the world, so you’ll get the chance to sample a globe’s worth of vintages.
