It can no longer claim to be under the radar, but, in my opinion, it’s still not high enough on people’s travel lists. This little island, only 790 square miles, is a step away from the glossy, airbrushed beaches of the Maldives or the Seychelles, and has retained all the charm of an untouched sliver of paradise. Of course, I'm talking about Mauritius.
After a 12-hour flight from a frosty London, and a passport-control queue that tested every ounce of my patience, we finally arrived at C Mauritius, a luxury, all-inclusive resort on the east coast of Mauritius. We were guided through a fern-lined corridor to drop our bags with the concierge. It felt oddly ceremonial, swapping our trainers and trousers for sandals and shorts, like shedding the stress before stepping into something softer. The hotel opened itself: two reflective ponds under dangling greenery, wooden floors underfoot, and ahead, an almost optical illusion of blue. Sky, sea, and lagoon were stacked in front of us and melted into one, with a couple floating serenely in the infinity pool at the centre of it all. I’d never seen anything like it; I needed to be in that pool immediately.
C Mauritius sits on the east coast of the island, perched along the vanilla-white sweep of Belle Mare beach. It’s positioned as a mid-range/premium all-inclusive, but the aesthetic leans far beyond that label: thatched roofs, palm-shadowed paths, shallow pools, and tropical plants everywhere. It's a playful take on the standard tropical island hotel. While a range of presents and treats hidden around your room set the tone for your stay, your king-sized bed, adorned with its marine coloured throws and pillows, reminds you of the sparkling blue sea just outside your balcony doors. All rooms face the lagoon, and none of the hotel ever feels more than a two-minute walk away, an underrated luxury when your only real ambition is to drift between breakfast, beach, and bar with the odd refreshing dip.
C Mauritius’ sister hotel, C Rodrigues Mourouk, is like the wilder, wind-kissed counterpart to its Palmar sibling. Set on the edge of a sweeping lagoon on Rodrigues Island, it’s known for its easygoing, adventure-led spirit, kitesurfers skimming the water, bikes tracing quiet coastal roads, and days focused on maximising sunlight and sea breeze rather than schedules. The aesthetic is simple, sun-bleached and breezy, with ocean-facing rooms and the same laid-back warmth that defines the C Resorts family. It’s the kind of place that trades polish for freedom, where the horizon does most of the talking.
We stayed in Mauritius for a brief five nights, in search of rest and a reset, and what we found was relaxation with a playful edge. Days unfolded gently: pedaloes gliding over the lagoon after breakfast, lazy beach afternoons, and long lunches that blurred seamlessly into cocktails. The hotel’s clubhouse provides a delightful range of activities and kit to make the most of your brief spell in paradise: stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkelling gear, and (if you’re up for a real adventure) kite surfing. The food exceeded expectations, mouth-watering lamb, steak, and seafood alongside vibrant salads and generous all-day dining at the C’picerie if you missed a sitting. There’s no room service and a subtle “help yourself” energy, but it works. There’s a refreshing absence of lounger-hoarding or forced formality.
The spa quickly became a sanctuary. Our massages were beautifully tailored, followed by a sickening level of indulgence as we sauntered between sauna, steam, and hot tubs in the adults-only wet area. Later in the week came rum tastings with Pavi, who walked us from sugar cane to Pina Colada, and then transformed our preferences into bespoke cocktails. An optional addition we couldn’t resist was a wine tasting hosted in the central infinity pool.
What truly set C Mauritius apart, though, was the warmth of its people. Jesh, in the dining room, greeted us each evening like we were returning friends, his pride in the hotel unmistakable. Gilbert, our driver, became an anchor to the island itself: polite, highly knowledgeable, and always keen to share. There every time we stepped beyond the gates.
And step beyond them we did. C Mauritius encourages you to explore the island it loves, either through tours provided in-house, or through trusted tour guides. Our Five Islands tour delivered dolphins, turtles, reef snorkelling, and a barbecue on the flour-soft sands of Île aux Cerfs. Another day brought markets, temple visits, coconuts cracked open in our hands, and dholl puri eaten fresh and fiery. On our final morning, we tackled an absolute MUST: the hotel’s C Trek. We set off at 8:30 am and, after climbing through the tropical canopy, emerged on a lush green plateau overlooking the South side of the island. The final stretch pushes you up 50m of exposed rock for a breathtaking 360-degree view of Mauritius – at lofty 812 metres above sea level. Incredibly, an hour later I was back in the lagoon, snorkelling in the same water I’d just seen from the clouds.
C Mauritius doesn’t deliver the theatrical sunset of the west coast, but its sunrises are quietly magical, and by evening, C Mauritius’ low-rise design ensures the beach still holds the light long enough for one last swim before dinner.
We came for rest. We left with salt in our hair, stronger legs, softer shoulders, and that rare feeling of having truly pressed pause. C Mauritius is ideal for couples who want to escape without isolation, where adventure, indulgence, and play live side by side. As we left the hotel, showered and fresh, and said goodbye to Gilbert one final time, it struck me: sometimes the best holidays aren’t the loudest. They’re the ones that steady you, then send you home lighter.
C Mauritius costs from £164 per person per night on a half board basis, based on two people sharing a room. For bookings and further details go to www.c-resorts.com
Take it from me, I got engaged there.
