Maradiva: Inside Mauritius’ All-Villa Resort

A slow-paced resort on the west coast of Mauritius, Maradiva offers privacy and serenity in spades, says Ellie Smith

Hotel Review: Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, Mauritius

STAY

When I visited Maradiva back in November as part of my honeymoon, the resort felt blissfully quiet – despite it being the start of summer, the island’s high season. On multiple afternoons, my husband and I had the hotel’s central infinity pool to ourselves, and indeed at some points it felt like we were the only people staying there. But this isn’t down to a lack of popularity: it’s largely because the resort is made up exclusively of generously sized villas (all with their own pools) rather than bedrooms, where guests spend most of their time. 

In fact, seclusion is one of the key draws of Maradiva – particularly, no doubt, for its celebrity guests (Kate Beckinsale, Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey have all stayed there over the years). Perched on the end of an 800m stretch of white sand beach, with far-reaching views of the Indian Ocean and Le Morne Mountain in the distance, the setting feels remote and quiet, yet the seaside town of Flic-en-Flac is just a short drive away.

Another USP is the fact it’s the island’s only five-star family-owned resort: the hotel began its life as Taj Exotica before going independent in 2009 and becoming Maradiva. But it was a multi-million-pound facelift in 2023 that really propelled Maradiva into the top echelons of Mauritian hotels, giving the villas a more elevated, sleek feel. 

All villas offer ample space, some set within the ground’s lush, frangipani-bedecked gardens and others directly on the beachfront. We stayed in a Luxury Suite Pool Villa, complete with an enormous bed looking out onto the pool through floor-to-ceiling windows, a walk-in wardrobe and a bathroom with a marble bathtub, an indoor rainfall shower and an outdoor shower, kitted out with Bvlgari products. The large outdoor space, meanwhile, has poolside sun loungers and a shaded terrace area with a pagoda-style roof. Decor is light and beachy, with natural materials used throughout, such as solid wood, woven textiles and exposed rock walls.

You’re kitted out with all the appliances too: a Bose soundbar, Nespresso coffee machines, a fully stocked mini bar and WiFi, plus an intercom system meaning you don’t have to get up when someone buzzes. Really, it’s no surprise people stay in their rooms all day.

There are also two-bedroom villas for families or groups, while the two vast Presidential Suite Pool Villas kick things up a notch with ocean panoramas, private kitchenettes, home cinemas and 24-hour butlers.

EAT

Guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, with five restaurants dotted across the resort. Cassine is Maradiva’s open-air, all-day eatery, serving a breakfast spread of eggs, pastries, fresh fruit, waffles and juices with views of the sea. Come dinnertime, the restaurant serves a three-course set menu (included in the half-board rate), plus extra dishes on offer a la carte.

For a more formal dining experience there’s Haiku, a Japanese-inspired eatery complete with a chef’s table-style teppanyaki bar, and Cilantro, the resort’s North Indian restaurant – both only open during the evening. While the food was excellent, we found both lacked atmosphere due to the quietness of the resort, but perhaps things get a little livelier further into high season.

Our favourite spot was the Beach House Grill, set right on the seafront and surrounded by palm trees. Chefs cook up fresh Mauritian fish of the day, including red snapper and tuna on a sizzling grill, paired with chips and fresh veggies from the kitchen garden. For cocktails, there’s Lantana bar, where guests gather to catch the sunset (particularly magical on the west of the island) each evening.

You can also organise in-villa dining, or private dining set beneath a Raj tent on the beach. We were treated to the latter, a romantic experience complete with an impressive three-course meal, kicking off with caprese salad ahead of grilled chicken and polenta chips, with a pistachio croustillant for dessert (dishes can be tailored to suit your preferences).

DO

Although it’s tempting to spend the entirety of your stay lounging in your villa, it’s worth venturing out to explore the resort’s grounds and facilities (particularly as, unlike some of the mega resorts on the island, nothing is too far at Maradiva). A trip to the hotel’s ayurvedic spa is a must, a haven of tranquility complete with a tiered pool, sauna, steam room and cold plunge. Guests can balance their chakras through consultations with the on-site ayurvedic doctor, and enjoy treatments from healing massages (on traditional wooden tables topped with mattresses) to mineral-rich body wraps and exfoliating scrubs. 

The fitness facilities are also impressive, with a well-equipped gym, tennis courts and a programme of classes ranging from yoga to beach jogs. At the boat house, the team arrange daily activities and excursions, such as kayaking, glass bottom boats, snorkelling and dolphin spotting trips. Those who prefer to stay horizontal, meanwhile, can nab one of the main pool’s day beds and get stuck into a good book; lying looking out at the swaying palm trees and sparkling sea, this feels like a true island paradise.

Maradiva also has bikes you can hire – it’s worth cycling down the road for a wander round Flic-en-Flac, a small beach town filled with bars, restaurants and food trucks. Further afield, go hiking in the Black River Gorges National Park (less than an hour’s drive away), surf at Tamarin Bay or see the Charamel 7 Coloured Earth, Mauritius’ famous multi-coloured sand dunes.

THE FINAL WORD

This is not a flashy place to see-and-be-seen, but perfectly suited to honeymooners keen to kick back and get away from it all amid the dreamiest of settings. Service is efficient without being overbearing, the spa is standout, and the sprawling villas are surely among some of the best on the island.

BOOK IT

maradiva.com