Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa hits all the marks for a classic Mauritian beach getaway. Its position on the northwestern-most tip of the two-pronged Pointe aux Canonniers peninsula is prime real estate, and its crescent-shaped beach is one of the most dramatic around. The lobby, built on the highest point of the property, has a traditional African-Indian look, with a sharply sloping thatch ceiling, rattan lamps, and bright oil paintings depicting village life. A staircase modeled after the one in the salon of the Titanic leads out to the gardens.

Ponds, coconut trees, and historic French canons and army structures dot the grounds. (Before the site's excellent beachfront position made it the ideal spot for a resort, the elevated point was the perfect military stronghold for the French army.) Most of the open-air restaurants and pools are concentrated together, and there is a garden lounge with bean bag chairs separating the pool bar and the restaurants. The pools are quite popular, yet still pleasant, but the beach is the undisputed star of the show, with three different sections and lots of available water sports. The amount of space and extent of features help create an atmosphere that's simultaneously romantic and family-friendly.

Even if Canonnier weren't a great hotel, it would attract guests year round for its location alone. It sits on the end of a peninsula shaped sort of like a hammerhead shark, with the eastern part folding around Grand Baie and Canonnier's western end stretching into the Indian Ocean. The end-of-the-peninsula is fantastic for beaches and sunsets (and the northwest location keeps it safe from the pummeling winds of the east). Plus the hotel is still close to the hustle of Grand Baie -- famous for its dining, nightlife, and shopping. (Grand Baie La Croisette Shopping Mall, considered one of the best on the island, is a nine-minute ride away.) The drive to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport takes right around an hour.

Renovated in 2017, the 284 rooms and suites share breezy modern decor based on white, black, and earth tones, seen on light wood furniture (by Indonesian-based Vincent Sheppard), natural bed linens, and woven rattan accents. The overall effect is a look that's contemporary and uncluttered. Across all categories (nine in total), rooms have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, individually controlled air-conditioning, and either patios or balconies. Minibars (free for all-inclusive guests), safes, free tea and coffee, and free Wi-Fi also come standard. Large bathrooms have two-sink counters and walk-in showers, and all rooms but the entry-level Standard Garden and Standard Sea Facing units also have a separate tub.

Standard Garden, Superior Garden, and Standard Sea Facing units are all slightly on the small side, at 258 square feet. Superior Sea Facing rooms are a little over 300 square feet. The 538-square-foot Suites adds a spacious open living area and features sea views. A trio of family room categories -- Family Duplex Garden, Family Duplex Sea Facing (both 345 square feet), and the 860-square-foot Family Apartments have extra bedrooms for children, and Family Apartments have separate dining and living areas plus second bathrooms. Housekeeping cleans daily.

Canonnier's vast lagoon pool has three ends, one with a zero-entry that's great for little ones. An adjacent pool wraps around the thatch-roof pool bar, which is open all day. Cushioned loungers surround the main pool and there is also a sandy area with loungers shaded by coconut trees. The pool area can get crowded, but it's large enough to remain pleasant (being music- and animation-free helps it feel calm). For all-out relaxation, head to the hotel's incredible treehouse-like spa, which was built around an ancient and majestic banyan tree. Made from wood, thatch, and stone, the spa's treatment rooms are set at varying heights so that guests truly feel sequestered. There is also a separate salon for hair treatments.

In 2017, the hotel added a fitness center with treadmills, bikes, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grounds, and locker rooms featuring saunas and steam rooms. For those who'd rather workout outdoors, there are three floodlit tennis courts, free bike rentals, ping-pong tables, bocce ball, and a supervised archery area.

The hotel's kids' club is a cheery space with games, toys, books, and craft materials. Outside is a playground with a seesaw, swings, and climbing equipment. There is also a game room with billiards.

Those looking to do a little on-site shopping can peruse a handful of boutiques on the premises that sell things like sarongs, jewelry, and woven bags.

The long crescent of the main beach stretches between two promontories on the Indian Ocean. In between, the arcing shoreline features lake-like calm waters, protected by outer reef and rocks, and on either side of the main beach are smaller bay beaches. The sand can be hard with broken-up pieces of coral and there is often a good bit of seaweed in the water, but these are common issues in Mauritius. Ample blue-and-white-striped cushioned loungers are placed under palapa umbrellas and palm trees. To the north are views of Coin de Mire and other outer islands. Additionally, water sports like sailing, snorkeling, windsurfing, and kayaking are available through the boathouse and free for all-inclusive guests. Sessions with the PADI-certified diving center cost a fee.

The main restaurant, Le Frangipanier, occupies two open pavilions by the pool, and serves all three meals buffet-style daily, with rotating dinner themes. A bamboo-screened kids' corner features mini buffets and tables and chairs. The beachfront seafood restaurant Le Navigator is open six days a week for lunch and dinner. Views of the lagoon and outer islands are visible throughout Le Navigator, including its outdoor seating area in a grove of coconut trees. At night, live musicians and entertainers perform at Le Navigator. The 40-seat La Serenata offers Italian food for dinner six nights a week. Le Navigator and La Serenata both have full a la carte menus, as well as separate menus for all-inclusive guests, which are more like set prix fixe menus with two choices for entrees. Canonnier's pool bar, Le Planteur, is open throughout the day. It has an outdoor lounge with a sandy floor and bean bag chairs, and an outdoor amphitheater with nightly entertainment. All-inclusive drinks include a number of cocktails, house wine, local rum, and beer. Packed lunches (baguette sandwiches, chips, cookies, juice, fruit, and water) are available on request.