Zilwa Attitude

Scenically set right on a lagoon with clear views of Coin de Mire, the upscale Zilwa Attitude is all about soaking in the island experience, Mauritius-style. Zilwa (which means "island" in Creole) conveys this not only through its lagoon setting and traditional thatch-roof architecture, but also with its integration and support of the surrounding community. For example, the hotel helps local fishermen with revenue by arranging morning trips to the lagoon, where guests can watch the sunrise and have breakfast. Green practices and building materials also show Zilwa's dedication to its island environment. During check-in (complete with lemongrass-infused water and cold towels), guests forgo registration forms for iPads, where they can quickly note any allergens or special requirements. Zilwa's boathouse only offers nonmotorized water sports in order to protect the lagoon and its spa uses plant-based beauty products. Rooms have energy-efficient concrete floors, ceiling fans (air-conditioning is available, as well), and rainfall showers only -- no bathtubs.

The eco-friendly buildings and interiors look smart and rustic-chic, but it's the outdoor areas here that really stand out, as they offer stunning views of the piercing green-blue water and lots of areas for stretching out. There are many distinct beach areas with comfortable loungers, tables and chairs, hammocks, Bali beds, and bean bags, all with gorgeous views. Though a car is necessary for getting around, Zilwa is a great choice for families, couples, and older friend groups, like those on fishing trips. Most guests come from France, Germany, and the U.K. for an average of seven nights.

Zilwa is in the town of Calodyne in northeast Mauritius. Frenzied Grand Baie is just around the northernmost tip of the island, about a 20-minute drive from the hotel, but Zilwa's lagoon-front spot is decidedly placid and pretty. The bustling beach town of Trou aux Biches is a 23-minute drive away, while the capital city of Port Louis is about 30 minutes south by car. Le Morne peninsula and Seven Coloured Earth in Chameral are on the southwest end of the island; both destinations are about a 90-minute drive from the hotel. The closest attraction -- the famous Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice de Cap Malheureux -- is closer to home, just a seven-minute drive up the coast. Zilwa is about a 75-minute drive from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport. Car rentals and parking are available on-site.

In keeping with the overall beach-chic atmosphere, the 214 rooms are earthy and minimalist, with a design inspired by traditional Mauritian beach bungalows. Rooms are framed by bumpy white stucco walls and painted concrete flooring that feels cool and contemporary, not cold and industrial, due to warm Mauritian-inspired decor, like coral-string chandeliers, round carpets locally made with coconut fibers, and colorful boat paintings in the style of Mauritian artist and writer Malcolm de Chazal. Most of the furnishings are made from unfinished knotted wood.

Room options begin with the Superior level, where units offer 355 square feet of space and either garden or sea views. Ground-floor Family Rooms add an additional 130 square feet. Family Deluxe Rooms (located on either the ground or second level) are even larger, with a second bedroom and bathroom. Couple Deluxe Rooms are all 430 square feet, with either sea or beachfront views.

Size and location within the resort (and therefore, views) are the only real differences between the rooms. Amenities are the same across the board, and all rooms come with sofa beds, satellite flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Each room has air-conditioning and a ceiling fan, as well as a furnished balcony or terrace. Open-plan bathrooms are separated from the main area by white adjustable blinds; all feature gray countertops with basin sinks, separate toilet vestibules, and rainfall showers (note that there are no bathtubs, even in the Family Rooms. The only exception to this could be the nine Couple Deluxe Rooms that have hot tubs on the terrace). Hairdryers, shampoo, soap, and hot-pink-and-blue flip flops for the beach are all provided.

Interconnected rooms are available, and there is free Wi-Fi in all the rooms.

Zilwa's fitness center occupies a freestanding building in a quiet garden area. Ellipticals, treadmills, and stationary bikes are positioned so that guests can look outside while working out. Bicycle rentals are also available at the gym, for a fee, but the adjacent tennis court is free to use (racquets are also free; balls must be brought or purchased).

Ayo de Dodo, Zilwa's kids' club, is free for ages 3 to 12. The kids' club's centerpiece is its game room -- which is set within a real boat (on land) that was once used in the spice trade. In addition to a game room and hangout area in an actual boat, the kids' club has a kitchen, TV room with an Xbox gaming console, playground, and sand pit, and a staff that organizes crab hunts, fishing trips, drawing classes, and treasure hunts. Ayo de Dodo is open all day until late at night. Babysitting services are also available, for a fee.

The hotel's entertainment team puts on activities for all ages, including Creole classes with afternoon tea and aquagym and water polo tournaments in the pool. At night, the hotel arranges themed entertainment -- including weekly sega shows -- and movies under the stars three times a week. Beach volleyball and ping-pong are available at any time.

There is a beach boutique on the sand selling items like postcards, sarongs, sunscreen, and flotation toys. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.

At most hotels, four pools would be a huge selling point, but at a resort as extensive as Zilwa, it's just part of its upscale appeal. That's not to say that the pools are an afterthought. All are lovely and well-designed: The main pool by reception is a tiered infinity pool with attractive tiling and incredible views of the lagoon and islands. The upper level is for adults only, while the lower level is open to families. The dedicated kids' pool has a pebbly zero-entry edge, and the Lor Disab pool, down by the lagoon, has curvy amoeba shape and little palm-tree islands in its center.

Zilwa sits right on a postcard-perfect lagoon, with calm teal waters and incredible views of Coin de Mire and other outer islands. Rocky jetties split up sweeps of sand, giving Zilwa's shoreline several distinct areas. Scattered about are chaise loungers under palapa umbrellas, beanbag beds, hammocks hanging between palms, and cushioned sofa beds under low shady trees. Unlike many upscale resorts, Zilwa only offers nonmotorized water sports, including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, lasers (mini sailboats), pedalos, and windsurfing equipment (all free). Guests hoping to water ski might be disappointed, but this policy is in order to protect the lagoon. 

Glass-bottom boat and snorkeling trips are free, in addition to the nonmotorized water sports. For an extra fee, guests can take sunrise pirogue trips in the lagoon with local fishermen; these are arranged by the hotel but revenue goes entirely to the fishermen. Catamaran trips, big-game fishing trips, and other sea excursions are also available for a fee. Zilwa has two private islands in the lagoon, accessed via the hotel catamaran: Gran Zil ("big island"), where barbecue lunches are held daily, and Ti Zil ("small island"), where two guests can have open-air massages. Both island excursions cost extra. The hotel also partners with a third-party diving center and kitesurf school, for a fee.

With a total of seven restaurants, Zilwa has more dining options than most Mauritian resorts. The main restaurant, Karay, is named for the curry wok that is so central to Mauritian cooking (there is one on display in the restaurant). Karay is open for breakfast and dinner, with nightly buffets alternating between themes like Indian, Tex Mex, Italian, French, and Mauritian.

Strewn with red paper lamps, Siaw is a romantic restaurant serving Mauritian/Chinese cuisine. Siaw shares its open kitchen with Tadka, an equally intimate space with Indian fare. Both Siaw and Tadka are open six nights a week for dinner, and require reservations.

Down on the beach, Lor Disab pays homage to traditional Mauritian homes with a wall decorated with colorful distressed wooden shutters. The venue serves buffet lunches and a la carte dinners; note that for dinner, the restaurant switches to adults-only and requires reservations.

Guests can also take a hotel boat to Gran Zil, one of the two private islands in front of the hotel, for a barbecue lunch with local beer and rum. Gran Zil's barbecue lunches are available daily, with wooden tables and chairs and sun beds with umbrellas set up on the island.

Like all Attitude properties, Zilwa features the Mauritian restaurant Kot Nou ("my home," in Creole) and Taba-J, a collection of snack carts serving Mauritian street food, like samosas and gateaux piments (fried bread bites with chilis).

Karay, Siaw, Tadka, and Kot Nou are all included in the all-inclusive package, and all-inclusive guests staying for at least five nights are entitled to two dinners at Lor Disab.

The hotel's main bar, Siro Kann ("sugarcane juice," in Creole), is open all day for coffee and cocktails made with homemade fruit-infused rum. Near reception and the main pool, Siro Kann offers fantastic views of the lagoon and Coin de Mire. And Pirogue is a wooden boat-shaped bar down on the sand, near Lor Disab restaurant.

In a garden with a bamboo courtyard, the tranquil Vilaz Masaz by Spa Attitude features a circle of 10 thatch-roof treatment rooms, including a Vichy shower cabin and four double cabins with private outdoor showers. All rooms are airy, with open walls (bamboo blinds are lowered for privacy), ceiling fans, and enclosed gardens. The spa also has a L'Oreal hair salon, Watsu dipping pool, ice fountain, and steam room, which is free for spa guests for 30 minutes. One of the most popular treatments is the signature Zilwa massage, a 90-minute full-body massage with foot reflexology. Vilaz Masaz uses natural, plant-derived skin-care and body products, like ones from the Italian-based Comfort Zone brand.