Magical Mauritius - fall in love with this honeymoon destination

Editor Claire Ridley fell in love with this year-round honeymoon hotspot...

A LUXURY RETREAT
Nestled on the north coast of the island in Anse la Raie (a popular kite surfing spot) sits the five-star, eco-committed boutique hotel Paradise Cove. With Mauritius fast becoming a sustainable island, Paradise Cove's effort to go green includes being part of the Positive Impact Movement (created by the Attitude hotel group) ensuring local sourcing and no single-use plastic.

ROOM WITH A VIEW
I was excited to visit this adults-only tropical paradise, an acclaimed Small Luxury Hotels of the World, having benefitted from a renovation in 2019. It offers a warm welcome with 75 rooms and suites including the Deluxe Premium Rooms, one of which was to become my home for three blissful nights. This honeymoon hideout has been authentically designed in the island's signature style with wood, rattan and tropical palm-print wallpaper and furnishings.

The rooms have been positioned to admire the panoramic cove views, along with the cluster of other areas that make up this glamorous getaway. Centred around the main reception built under a charming thatch roof is the stylish STAY bar; the complimentary tea bar boasting locally grown flavours; the main swimming pool where I enjoyed an early morning dip each day and The Dining Room restaurant where the delicious buffet breakfast was brimming with exotic flavours.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
There's so much choice between the four restaurants at this dreamy destination with a Dine-Around experience available in three of them for half-board and all-inclusive guests. For delicious sushi, the à la carte Japanese XO restaurant won't disappoint while if it's seafood you're after, try the Cove Restaurant's private kiosks on the sand for catch of the day.

I was in for a treat at the trendy Peninsular Restaurant and bar perched overlooking the jetty and lagoon with far-flung views stretching across to the five north islands in one direction, and the new infinity pool (that's heated during the winter months) in the other. A highlight was an invite to the launch of the new five-course vegan fine dining experience by Michelin-starred Chef Alexis Gauthier. I tucked into a fondant heart of palm made with pressed watermelon followed by a semi-confit cut of giraumon with a medley of grains and wild rice. The lychee wine is a must-try while you're on the island, it became my favourite tipple of the trip!

RIDING THE OCEAN WAVES
I was lucky enough to hop on board the hotel's 12-seat catamaran for a full-day cruise around Îlot Gabriel and Île Plate (also known as the Flat Island). After settling in for a suntan, and a delicious barbecue lunch, the boat reached Coin de Mire where it was time to grab my swimmers and jump into the warm Indian Ocean to snorkel (dive enthusiasts can scuba dive here).

Looking to make a memory on a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon? Then book a sunset cruise or the Stargazing experience with an astrologer out on the jetty which is just one of the many You&Me Moments the resort offers.

Back on land, activities include yoga, Tai Chi, a gym plus two floodlit tennis courts. One of my favourite pastimes was relaxing in the cute love nests dotted around the grounds, promising privacy for honeymooners.

ISLAND ESCAPE
The wellness journey starts the moment you enter the lush open-air spa where the tempting treatments are known as Beauty Rituals of the World of the organic French brand Cinq Mondes. I indulged in a 50-minute full body massage with therapist Samantha who used a scented pure coconut oil made on the island. Dreaming of a couple's massage in one of the love nests at the water's edge? Consider it done!

WITH LOVE FROM MAURITIUS
Step back in time at the historic Château De Labourdonnais, a two-storey, colonial-style Creole mansion and heritage site which was once a sugar plantation. This local landmark boasts French-style furnishings plus an orchard in the grounds that contributes to the fruit production on the island. There's a rum distillery, plus you'll be spoilt by the menu choice at La Table du Château, (https://domainedelabourdonnais.com).

No trip to Mauritius is complete without a visit to the vibrant capital city of Port Louis with its street markets and bustling scenes - it was a fun way to fill my Insta feed at every turn!

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT
Couples can get married at Paradise Cove – the Classic Wedding Package includes locally grown flowers, no single-use plastic and locally sourced ingredients for the dinner – a romantic Renewal of Vows is also an option. Stay at five-star Paradise Cove boutique hotel from £334 per room each night, based on two people sharing a Deluxe Premium Room on a half-board basis,

www.paradisecovehotel.com/en | www.instagram.com/paradisecovehotel | www.facebook.com/ParadiseCoveHotel

A WARM WELCOME

I was invited to stay at the newly opened adults-only Sunrise Attitude, a four-star hotel committed to tourism with a positive impact with 153 rooms commanding prime position on the east coast. It's opposite the powder-white sandy beach at Belle Mare boasting picture-perfect views of the clear lagoon which I couldn't wait to swim in. Beach volley is a pastime here, along with sundowners on the shore - the local Phoenix Beer is a must-try!

Stand-out features include eight villas with plunge pools where you can wake up to room service. The 28 swimup rooms are another fab offering for honeymooners, linking each terrace to the main Papaya Pool and swim-up bar, plus there's also Bar 31 boasting a stunning view of the beach and pool.

As with all eight Attitude properties, Sunrise Attitude has been designed in keeping with the local surroundings, marrying earthy tones with on-trend, hand-crafted furnishings created by local artisans using locally sourced materials including raffia. In their bid to eliminate single-use plastic, this eco resort provides you with a reusable water bottle and tea and coffee are collected from reusable glass jars at the Bulk Shop - don't miss sampling the local passionfruit, mango and vanilla tea!

DINE IN STYLE
I had high expectations for an authentic tapas-style dinner at the brand's signature Kot Nou restaurant (present at all Attitude hotels) and I wasn't disappointed – you can take a cookery class here to learn the local recipes.

Similar to Paradise Cove, the Dine- Around option allows you to pick between three restaurants on a halfboard basis where you'll be spoilt for choice! The Market restaurant specialises in local and international delicacies using the freshest seasonal and sustainable ingredients – I tucked into vegan pancakes for breakfast. The Social House restaurant and bar is an informal setting playing live music during the evening where I shared tasty vegan platters, and my favourite spot for lunch had to be Taba-j, the brightly painted kiosk serving traditional takeout street food. I couldn't get enough of the local roti washed down with alouda (a Mauritian milkshake).

Experience one of your first meals as newlyweds with an invite to a local team member's home for an Otentik dinner. My host was Concita Fortuno, who welcomed me for a wonderful evening of food, music and dance – she even taught me how to cook gateaux piment (chilli bites!)

EARLY TO RISE
I couldn't wait to experience the Secret Sunrise guided meditation to music on the beach – even if it did mean getting up earlier than normal! Chilling out wearing headphones, it was an experience I'll never forget. It's free and takes place twice a week and a private 20-minute session can be arranged, with large groups invited to experience the interactive dance session.

LET THE MAGIC HAPPEN
I indulged in treatments at the new Spa POZ (meaning to relax and take a break). Dotted within this tranquil leafy space are single and double open-air creole treatment huts, a salt hammam (that helps to soothe skin problems) and a beauty salon. The vegan spa products packaged in reusable tins are handmade on the island using local plants with 5% of each purchase at Spa POZ (and from the Otentik Bazaars selling souvenirs) donated to the Green Attitude Foundation helping fund sustainable development projects.

WISH YOU WERE HERE
Why not split your stay between the three and four-star Attitude hotels that cater for most budgets in adults-only and family-friendly properties? Coin de Mire Attitude offers great value for money (https://hotels-attitude.com/en/coin-de-mire-attitude) while Lagoon Attitude boasts 182 rooms including ten romantic whirlpool suites (https://hotels-attitude.com/en/lagoon-attitude). It's home to the Marine Discovery Centre, dedicated to the preservation of the marine ecosystem from where I set sail on a glass-bottom boat for a snorkelling trail to marvel at the underwater world. If you're lucky, you might spot some whales from the boat ride too!

I was fortunate to visit Tropical Attitude with its 58 sea-facing rooms and 11 villas with private pools where a floating breakfast can be served (https://hotels-attitude.com/en/tropical-attitude). A complimentary boat trip departs twice daily from here to the untouched Ile aux Cerfs where I sunbathed on the pure white sand. If you're searching for a fun-filled family-moon then head to Zilwa Attitude (https://hotels-attitude.com/en/zilwa-attitude) which faces the northern islands. I couldn't wait to take the raft over to Gran Zil for a beach barbecue lunch and chill out in an over-water hammock - I didn't want to leave. Weddings take place here, with exclusive use of the island booked creating memories made in Mauritius.

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT
Stay at four-star Sunrise Attitude hotel from £155 per room each night, based on two people sharing a Couple Room on a half-board basis, https://hotels-attitude.com/en/sunrise-attitude | www.instagram.com/attitudehotels | www.facebook.com/HotelsAttitude

PASSPORT AT THE READY
I flew direct to Mauritius with Air Mauritius from London Heathrow. Prices start from £709 return in economy class, www.airmauritius.com