Recif Attitude

An earthy, Mediterranean-isle-influenced minimalist look layered with breezy, beachy details is on display throughout Recif Attitude, from the pearly capiz-shell chandeliers and jute area rugs in the lobby to the globe table lamps and built-in wall cubbies in the rooms. All over the resort, the neutral tones of the white-washed plaster, wheat-colored cushions, driftwood accents, and round rattan trays hung to the walls form an airy, unobtrusive effect. The stylish and softly colored minimalism here suits the low-key adults-only vibe. Two-story white-washed buildings stretch along the shore; their low height and stucco exterior would look at home in the South Aegean. Recif's small size, boutique style, quiet ambiance, and emphasis on natural beauty are something of a rare combo for this particular part of northwest Mauritius, where resorts tend to be large, well-insulated, and well-manicured luxury properties for families.

A hotel with a beachfront location is nothing unusual (the coast here is practically one long string of resorts), but this hotel's proximity to the waves is truly remarkable. The word "beachfront" doesn't even seem to cut it here. About half of Recif's 70 rooms and nearly all of its facilities -- its pool, two restaurants, and bar -- feel like they are practically hovering over the water. Live music plays by the bar several nights a week, but the endless lulling rumble of the waves is soundtrack enough. Facing the ocean head on is a never-ending tussle with the elements, of course, so weather-induced maintenance issues are to be expected. On our 2017 visit, we got trapped in the public-area bathroom when the water-swollen wooden door wouldn't budge open more than a few inches -- luckily, the restrooms are within shouting distance of the front desk, so within seconds, a maintenance worker appeared to pry the stall door open with a crowbar.  

When driving along the coastal road to Recif Attitude, look out for an epic banyan tree -- it's on the far side of the street from the resort's entrance, and its size and spectacle make it worthy of a guidebook mention. The resort itself is perched a few strides from the ocean; its own beachfront is a huge draw, and there is also a wide and wild public beach immediately to the north of the property. (The husband-and-wife-run food truck Cabane du Filao, usually parked near the main coastal road by the beach, is an absolute must.) The beauty of Recif is that it feels like a remote world of its own, but it is within easy driving distance of sights like Trou aux Biches (10 minutes) and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (17 minutes). Driving to the tourist center of Grand Baie and the capital city of Port Louis takes about 21 to 22 minutes, respectively. The drive to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport takes about 70 minutes.

Recif's 60 Standard Rooms and 10 Deluxe Rooms all share the same serene, minimalistic style. White globe lamps on the bedside tables, pale gray floors, and matching block furniture keep the look uncomplicated and calm. Built-in wall cubbies give the rooms an almost Moroccan feel, while rattan floor vases filled with tall dried stems, wicker baskets, and uneven strips of wood on the walls look folksy and coastal. Air-conditioning, minibars stocked with bottled water and beer, electric kettles with tea and coffee, digital safes, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi all come standard. About half of the rooms face the sea and the others have garden views, and each unit has a balcony or terrace. Deluxe Rooms add more than 100 square feet of space (they're 378 square feet, as opposed to Standard Rooms' 269 square feet), and all have canopied balconies overlooking the ocean.

All bathrooms have walk-in showers -- there are no bathtubs here -- and separate toilets. For toiletries, Recif provides bars of soap and bottles of shower gel/hair wash (some Attitude properties only put out soap). Like most Mauritian resorts, bugs can be a hitch. Those globe lamps look cool, but their glow attracts gnats by the boatload. During our stay, we spent a lot of time on our second-floor balcony staring at the dazzling ocean view, and only after a while realized that what we saw as a black-and-white-patterned balcony floor was actually all white -- it was just blanketed in black gnats who were plastered there after a recent rainfall.

Recif's features are proportionate to the boutique hotel's small scale. The hotel's main restaurant has the same simple and neutral-hued look as the rest of the property and provides up-close-and-personal sea views. It serves all three meals, with dinners alternating between buffet and a la carte. While this restaurant overlooks the waves, its second restaurant, L'Ocean, has 20 tables that are literally in the sand. It is open six nights a week for dinner, served a la carte under the stars (weather permitting). Once a week, L'Ocean holds a grilled lobster evening for an additional fee.

Connected to the main restaurant is Recif's bar, where guests can perch on low-back bar stools and gaze directly at the turquoise sea. An airy indoor lounge area behind the bar provides more seating and a common area for socializing, playing cards and board games, leafing through light reads, and nursing pina coladas. Four nights a week, live musicians perform at the bar, where they can be heard from both restaurants. A narrow infinity pool looks out on the rocky beach (consider bringing water shoes), which has a small swimming zone. Recif means "the reef," and the hotel sits on a beautiful blue-green protected marine reserve. The boathouse organizes two free glass-bottom boat trips a day, plus snorkeling, kayaking, and pedal boats are all free. Sets of sun loungers and palapa umbrellas line the beachfront.

Spa Attitude has two single treatment room and one for couples. Its steam room and relaxation showers are free to use. Recif's fitness center is located in the back garden near the road; it is understandably not particularly well-used. Like all Attitude resorts, Recif emphasizes bona fide Mauritian experiences and activities. Once a week, the hotel offers "Family Dinners," which are cooking classes/meals held at the home of a Recif employee. Advance reservations and a small fee are required. Recif also arranges for local artisans from the community to come to the hotel once a week for a small "bazaar," where the artisans make 100 percent of the profits. 

Laundry service is available, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.