Sakoa Boutik Hotel Mauritius

The colonial-style Le Sakoa stands out in Trou aux Biches for its extreme intimacy. Many similar upper-middle-range hotels in the area are considerably larger than the 16-room Le Sakoa, and those that are small-scale tend to be more mid-range. An exception is the 13-room Le Cardinal Exclusive Resort, but that property has a higher level of luxury (and a higher price tag) than Le Sakoa. Framed by white walls, an ornate wooden entrance, and a pitched thatch roof, the lofted lobby introduces Le Sakoa's intimate and relaxed atmosphere, with a simple wood desk and two orange-cushioned chairs for guests serving as the reception area. The lobby opens to the restaurant patio and hotel grounds, where white pebble pathways fan out toward the hotel's seven two-story bungalows. The small resort appeals mostly to couples who appreciate its small scale and serenity, but families are very welcome here, too, with features like babysitting service, kids' menus, and in-room kitchenettes -- not to mention the calm, shallow lagoon -- at their disposal.

Le Sakoa is right on B38 (aka Royal Route and the coastal road) in the lively beach town of Trou aux Biches. Within a two-minute walk of the hotel's entrance is a pharmacy and a supermarket (convenient for stocking Le Sakoa's in-room kitchenettes). Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, L'Aventure du Sucre, and Chateau de Labourdonnais are all about a 20-minute drive southeast, and Port Louis is 25 minutes to the south. The hotel is about a 75-minute drive from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport.

Out of La Sakoa's 16 units, 14 are standard rooms (six have ocean views and eight overlook the gardens), while the remaining two are suites. All units are generously sized, with rooms offering a spacious 592 square feet. Their floral curtains and simple wooden furnishings feel a little behind the times, but not quite dated. Every room has a kitchenette -- an unusual feature for Mauritius beach resorts -- complete with full or mini-fridges, microwaves, stovetops, toasters, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Rooms also contain 40-inch flat-screen TVs with more than a dozen channels and work desks. Every room has a balcony or terrace with a wooden dining table and chairs, plus cushioned easy chairs. (The two suites have direct beach access.) Free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning come standard as well. Bathrooms have black countertops with two stone vessel sinks, as well as glass walk-in shower stalls, magnifying mirrors, and hotel-branded body wash. Note that rooms located near the entrance get a fair amount of noise from the coastal road.

Le Sakoa's features are consistent with its modest size. The highlight is the lovely stretch of lagoon beach, which has impressively fine sand (for Mauritius) and shallow teal water with gentle waves. Water sports such as snorkeling, paddle-boarding, pedal boats, kayaking, water-skiing, and wake-boarding are free, as are two snorkeling trips a day. Excursions like catamaran cruises and scuba-diving cost a fee. The property's one dining spot, Oak Restaurant, serves free breakfast and Mauritian-inspired lunch and dinner. The hotel offers bed-and-breakfast and half-board packages, but no all-inclusive packages. We've also heard reports that breakfast can be repetitive and lunch and dinner options can be limited. Dinners are often accompanied by live sitar music, and the bar serves drinks like mai tais throughout the day and evening. The restaurant and bar overlook the tiny rectangular pool (more of a plunge pool, not suitable for swimming laps), which is surrounded by a wooden deck with three duets of wicker rocking chairs. There is no fitness room, and O Wellness is not a full-blown spa, but rather a thatch beach hut dedicated to massages. This space has a single massage bed, and it's only open based on appointments. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.