Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa

Even among the upscale Hilton brand, the Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa stands out. The grand scale, lush landscaping, locally sourced wood furnishings, and tasteful Mauritian-inspired accents all provide an excellent sense of luxury and place. By day, the social scene is loosely defined by the two pool terraces. The adult-only side is quiet, relaxed, and intimate. The main pool is livelier with music throughout the day and families splashing in the water with their kids. A ceremonial torch lighting around the property marks the end of each day. After dark, the mood quiets down considerably with families retiring to their rooms, while  couples relax at the beachfront restaurant/bar or intimate lobby bar perched high above the Indian Ocean.

The coastal road that winds through Flic en Flac is a ribbon of upmarket resorts. There’s little of interest within walking distance, although it’s easy to imagine that most guests won’t want (or need) to leave the grounds during their entire trip. Guests looking for a taste of Mauritius’ city life will need to venture 40 minutes north to the capital city, Port Louis. Less than 20 minutes away by car, the championship, 18-hole Tamarina Golf Club offers stunning greens with views of Tamarin Bay and Rempart Mountain. The hotel can facilitate paid shuttle or taxi transportation between the airport with reasonable flat rates.

Rooms are bright, modern, and luxe. It appears much of the boardroom-inspired furniture and lighting fixtures of other Hilton properties has been replaced here with a more tropical-centric color palette. Wicker resin seating, beach-inspired prints, and louvered balcony sliders for hints of island life. Entry-level Deluxe and Grand Deluxe Rooms are spacious at 463 square feet (43 square meters). Suites upgrade to more than 650 square feet (61 square meters). All rooms feature a private, furnished balcony; some with views of the Indian Ocean. Every category is well-appointed with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and refrigerated minibars. Bathrooms are lavish in every category with plenty of marble, glass, and granite. All offer separate rain showers and bathtubs, plus hairdryers and toiletries.

The Hilton offers a long list of luxury amenities. The hotel’s slice of Flic en Flac Beach is stunning. The views, particularly at sunset, are among the best on the island. The water is shallow, calm, and swimmable -- even for children. Dozens of lounge chairs, hammocks, and sunbeds are provided for guest use. Bar service is available at several points along the sand. The full-service boathouse facilitates water sports including kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling, plus glass-bottom boat rides and dolphin-watching cruises -- all free.

The pools each cater to distinctly different guests. The adult-only pool targets those seeking a quieter, more relaxed vacation experience with cocktails from the nearby Hibiscus Bar, padded lounge chairs with large umbrellas, and direct beach access. The main pool on the opposite side of the resort is far more lively. Families with children often spend their days exploring the waterfalls, audible underwater dolphin calls, and many nooks and crannies of its freeform design. The adjacent Aqua restaurant and bar provides a convenient midday break for lunch and cocktails.

The three restaurants offer different vibes and cuisines. The alfresco Les Coquillages beach restaurant offers authentic Mauritian cuisine a few feet from the beach. The main restaurant, La Pomme d’Amour, is a resort casual eatery with buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner that includes an extensive selection of cuisines, plus vegetarian and vegan options. Ginger Thai is the only formal dining space. Helmed by a Thai chef, the dinner menu leans heavily on traditional Thai cuisine. The intimate, open-air patio appears to float atop a koi pond and is popular with couples. Reservations fill up fast, however.

The spa is modestly sized for such a large luxury property. However, it offers an excellent menu of services including massages, hydrotherapy, and beauty treatments. Plus, there’s a steam room and a sauna. Wi-Fi is fast and free throughout the property, including at the beach. Free self-parking is provided in a distant, gated lot accessible via golf cart shuttle service to the lobby.