20 Degrees Sud

Renovated in July 2011, the hotel attained Relais & Chateaux status in 2014. The Belgian owners have created a calm, intimate atmosphere in a style that is elegant without being over the top. Dining is a treat – enjoy the a la carte menu, a Mauritian feast on Sundays, a gastronomic cruise on the hotel's vintage 1920's motorboat, Lady Lisbeth, or take a catamaran trip to a restaurant in a 19th-century ruin, now a listed building, on Flat Island.

There are 30 rooms and six suites, including the grand Austral Suites. All are spotless, with aircon, welcoming decor and a terrace overlooking the palm-edged sea. The beds are queen-sized, there's a TV and wi-fi (connectivity can be unreliable), en-suite bathrooms with old-style baths (not in Cosy Rooms), a separate shower and twin basins. The suites have either an outdoor hot tub or private pool. This is a 'home from home' hotel, so don't expect swathes of clinically polished marble.

The choice is yours. Head to sea in the elegant Lady Lisbeth, skim the water in a traditional Mauritian pirogue or exert yourself on a Hobie Cat, windsurfer or paddle board. Explore the island in the hotel's private vehicle. Visit Port Louis's market (bartering essential), see giant lily pads and graceful lotus flowers in the Pamplemousse gardens, and visit historical sites. There's fun nightlife in Grand Baie. Too much sightseeing? Rest on the beach and dip in the bay.