I Spent Time at Mauritius' Priciest and Cheapest Resorts—Here’s What You Get for Your Buck

Directly competing with the Maldives and concerning the Seychelles, Mauritius stands out as Indian Ocean island that lures its fair share of honeymooners , yet it significantly outshines others in terms of cultural offerings and available activities.

You'll see plenty of glamorous gated resorts catering to those who like to fly in and flop down, but explore further and you'll discover lively villages, bustling markets, recreational parks, hiking trails, and abundant water sports activities. I've been stationed here for over a year. And I've explored most of the prominent as well as some less famous hotels — and I can verify that it caters to all types of budgets.

For this comparison, I selected three lodging choices ranging from the least costly to the priciest, all located near each other along Mauritius’s eastern coastline—a roughly £35 cab fare from the main airport—and all providing meals as well as swimming pool access. Below is their comparative breakdown...

Light Villa

£33 per night

Setting

Tucked away in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of a village, one mile from the pretty Trou d’Eau Douce Beach, this small gated white villa, broken down into apartments, immerses guests in local life, away from the seafront resorts that dominate the coastline.

Service

The Mauritian owner of Light Villa was kind, communicative, spoke good English and went out of his way to advise me on the best local restaurants. He also served me a cocktail on the house for no discernable reason when I checked in, which was a surprise, given the bargain price of the room.

Facilities

Here, you receive ample accommodation for your budget, featuring either one or two-bedroom apartments complete with kitchens, dining areas, living spaces, and bathrooms. My apartment was tidy and straightforward, though one of the air conditioners wasn’t working properly, and the window overlooked nothing more than a concrete wall. For breakfast, they served made-to-order omelets alongside toast, pastries, and fresh fruits. The property boasts a nicely kept shared swimming pool, picnic spots, and a bar. While there aren't additional amenities onsite, the beach is just six miles distant.

Verdict

If your main objective is just to have a starting point to discover the island, then you won't come across a better deal. This place stood out as one of the scarce affordable self-catering choices with a swimming pool that I managed to locate; however, apart from that, there isn’t much else here to make you want to stay around. Therefore, getting a rental car becomes crucial since Light Villa provides complimentary parking space.

Sunrise Attitude

£124 a night

Setting

Nestled within a secure complex directly opposite the stunning Belle Mare public beach, this adults-exclusive retreat exudes serenity despite being situated along the primary thoroughfare, surrounded by various other accommodations. The design embraces an elegant tropical theme with repurposed furnishings and contemporary artwork adorning the pristine white walls.

Service

Casual yet impeccable. Each employee I met was friendly and courteous, however, the team really stepped up their game during my late-night medical crisis at two A.M., providing genuine assistance promptly. Additionally, they show compassion toward the local strays and felines—unlike many other hotels on the island which tend to be less considerate.

Facilities

I adored this resort's robust environmental credentials (there isn't even a hint of plastic here) and its rule against televisions in rooms. Although the villas, which include some with private plunge pools, exude luxury and comfort, visitors are prompted to explore the vibrant communal spaces; these feature an expansive swimming pool, three dining venues, two lounges, a teahouse, and a food truck.

Verdict

This hotel is among my favorites on the island, and it comes at quite a fair price. It provides all the amenities of a high-end resort right out front, including a fantastic beach where you won’t have to go far if relaxing by the water is what you're after—particularly when choosing an all-inclusive option. However, unlike pricier accommodations which tend to be secluded, this place allows easy exploration of nearby areas on foot without feeling too cut off from everything else.

The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius located at Anahita

£675 a night

Setting

This extensive five-star retreat covers over 64 acres of lush gardens beside a hidden lagoon, making it potentially the best accommodation on the island. Featuring an opulent yet understated design, complete with numerous refined water features, its exclusive "residence" bungalows stand out as the biggest and most sumptuous lodgings available in Mauritius.

Service

As one would anticipate at this price point, the service is top-notch. The employees are courteous and well-informed (five percent have been with the hotel since it opened 17 years ago), and they handle every request efficiently regardless of size.

Facilities

Offering a diverse collection of villas, four communal pools And every visitor receives a bike to explore the vast premises, making this retreat particularly hard to depart from. Among my standout moments was savoring what stands as the finest meal I've enjoyed in Mauritius, courtesy of Umi.Zaka—one of its seven exceptional dining venues. Additionally, spending a day at their pristine, entirely secluded beach (which is quite uncommon for the island) located across the bay at Ile aux Cerfs left an indelible mark.

Verdict

The least expensive villas at this resort begin at £675 per night, but I would not describe them as extraordinary enough to justify the price. On the other hand, the property’s larger "residence" villas, suitable for multiple families with private pools and enhanced seclusion, could attract guests ready to spend up to £7,210 nightly—such amenities and spaciousness cannot be matched by any other accommodation on the island.

Where do you prefer to lodge?

The winner here for most holidaymakers is easy: the Sunrise Attitude hotel is a vibrant, modern, yet peaceful boutique resort that offers a sanctuary within its walls, without being totally isolated from island life.

Despite having affordable room-only rates, these prices jump twofold when opting for an all-inclusive plan — so consider this if dining out frequently isn't your preference. The Light Villa caters well to people with minimal spending money as they provide ample living space at a discounted cost; however, their amenities list remains quite limited. Should you have plenty of funds available and desire top-tier comfort, the Four Seasons would be ideal due to its exclusive private beach which stands unrivaled across Mauritius.

See more of the best hotels in Mauritius or check out our guide to the top fully inclusive resorts in Mauritius .

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