Mon Choisy Beach R.

This no-frills beachfront hotel was formerly Mon Choisy Beach Resort, and it's a logical assumption that the owners dropped the "esort" due to the fact that calling this place a resort is misleading. Its only resort feature -- its only feature, really -- is its sea-facing pool, plus the surrounding terraces. Mon Choisy's "lobby" is an open-air front porch off of the gravel parking lot, where an upended fishing boat acts as a book share and a freestanding kiosk with a walk-up counter serves as the front desk. A small selection of sunscreen, snacks, and soft drinks are available for purchase at reception. Other than these few amenities, the property is essentially an apartment complex on the beach, one that is best for independent couples and friend groups who plan on spending most of their days on island excursions. 

Mon Choisy Beach R.'s sliver of beachfront is small and rocky, but the hotel is immediately south of the sweeping, sandy arc that is Mon Choisy public beach. A car is required to see most other sites beyond the beach, though the buzzing beach village of Trou aux Biches can be reached in 20 minutes by foot (or four minutes by car). The closest full grocery store, Chez Popo Supermarket, is located in Trou aux Biches. Grand Baie -- famous for its shopping, dining, and nightlife -- is a 13-minute drive away. The drive to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport takes a little more than an hour.

The 35 rooms at Mon Choisy are almost all light gray and white in tone, with bright turquoise throw pillows and wall canvases of colorful sailboats to liven things up. But overall, the rooms are quite basic, with tiled floors, gray wicker bed frames and chairs, and wall-mounted desks, also in gray. All rooms have 32-inch flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Kitchenettes come with microwaves, mini-fridges, kettles, toasters, two-burner stovetops, and cook- and dishware. There are also coffeemakers stocked with free coffee and tea (though these supplies do not get restocked). Hall closets have shelving, hangers, and free digital safes. All rooms have both air-conditioning and ceiling fans, and each has either a balcony or terrace. A few of the rooms have pool and ocean views, but most of them look out onto border plants and trees.

Bathrooms have good-sized walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. Wall-mounted toiletries are provided, as are bath and pool towels. Housekeeping cleans the rooms daily, but it's worth mentioning that on our one-night stay here, we spotted strands of hair scattered over the tile floors on closer inspection.

Mon Choisy Beach R. has very little in the way of common areas or facilities. By the beach, is the property's main feature -- a pretty blue-tiled pool. Bordered by carefully hedged bushes, the pool's wooden terrace has wicker sun loungers and cloth umbrellas. On the beach side of the pool is a sandy area with more loungers, palm trees, and a large table with tree-stump seating. The sandy terrace area overlooks the beach itself, which is quite slight and rocky. Both the pool and terraces offer lovely ocean views -- especially at sunset. There's no boathouse, though third-party water-sports outfitters can be found on the neighboring public beach (as well as food trucks and fruit sellers). Also lacking are on-site restaurant and bar facilities, though room service is available and the hotel provides shuttle service to a local restaurant for dinner. Breakfast trays can be delivered to rooms for a fee. Laundry and babysitting services are available for a fee, and Wi-Fi and parking are both free. There's also an upright boat by the parking lot that's used as a book share.