Preskil Island Resort

Preskil Beach Resort's location close to the international airport makes it convenient for those in transit or travelers on shorter stays, but this upscale all-inclusive is also a destination resort in its own right. It's set on what is practically its own island, a natural peninsula almost entirely surrounded by a teal lagoon -- the largest in Mauritius. Visitors turn off of the mainland's coastal road onto a small connecting bridge; past the colonial-style security stand, they are greeted by a sprawling and serpentine banyan tree. Evident upon arrival is the fact that Preskil doesn't have quite the same patina as Shandrani, its main area competitor. Preskil is smaller and simpler, with Creole-style buildings with sloping tin roofs, stucco walls the color of marigold, and lots of open-air spaces. A major advantage of Preskil, though, is that it's farther from the flight paths than Shandrani, plus it offers many of the same features, like a spa and free water sports, for generally way less money.

Most of Preskil's common features are clustered on the south end, with the majority of rooms -- garden units and beachfront cottages -- located in the middle and north parts of the island. The location affords panoramic view of the nearby green mountains on the mainland (including iconic Lion Mountain), outer islands (including nearby Ile aux Aigrettes, a nature reserve), and the impossibly turquoise waters of the lagoon. All beaches in Mauritius are public, but Preskil's shoreline is isolated enough from the mainland that it feels essentially private and is subject to fewer hawkers. The long and broad beach here is the hub of resort activity, with guests gearing up for a snorkeling outing, reading a paperback under a palapa, or hanging out at the beach bar with a tropical drink in one hand and maybe a fruit skewer in the other.

Preskil's location is a big selling point. The hotel is just a 15-minute drive from the airport, but it is not susceptible to the distracting sights and sounds of airplanes, as is the case at the nearby Shandrani. Preskil sits on a natural peninsula that is practically its own island, attached to the mainland by a thin bridge of land. The island juts into the lagoon, so the hotel is surrounded by water on all sides. The closest attractions are Blue Bay Marine Park (five-minute drive south along the coastal road) and the historic town of Mahebourg (eight-minute drive north), where vendors at the daily market sell produce, dried fish, woven hats and baskets, and street foods. Black River Gorges National Park is a 42-minute drive to the west (stop by the Bois Cheri Tea Factory along the way). Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden and L'Aventure du Sucre, a sugar-factory-turned-museum, are both about an hour's drive north.

Preskil's 200 units are divided among two-story buildings scattered throughout the peninsula. Most of the room buildings are concentrated on the mainland-facing side of the island, with the higher-category rooms closer to the outer lagoon.

Only the most basic of the room types (the 385-square-foot Standard Rooms) lack water views. All other categories -- Lagoon Rooms, Prestige Cottages, and Deluxe Penthouses -- come with lagoon views. Cottages and penthouses are right along the outer lagoon, so have the best views. No matter the category, rooms are air-conditioned, and feature balconies or terraces, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free coffee and tea, free Wi-Fi, and minibars stocked with beer, wine, soda, water, chocolates, juice, chips, and -- of course -- rum. Other standard amenities include mosquito repellant, safes, hairdryers, and toiletries (soap, shower gel, shampoo).

In addition to sea views, Lagoon Rooms add about 20 additional square feet of space, compared to the Standards. Prestige Cottages are all set on the ground floor, and come with separate tubs and rainfall showers, plus bathrobes and slippers. Deluxe Penthouses are on the second floor, and feature open-plan bathrooms with separate water closets.

Preskil's headlining feature is its broad, beautiful beach facing the outer lagoon. The beach is much longer and wider than what's found at most Mauritius hotels, though the sand itself is grainy and well-packed, so it's not so soft as to encourage laying out a towel. Luckily, there are plastic sun loungers underneath palapa umbrellas throughout the beach's length, and a wooden daybed on a rocky outcrop by the jetty. Wherever beach-goers have set up shop, they can request fresh fruit, personal pizzas, mojitos -- even sunglasses cleaning -- as part of Preskil's beach service. The boathouse offers free water sports, like water skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, and sailing. Pedal boats and glass-bottom boat trips to snorkeling sites and Ile aux Aigrettes (island wildlife reserve, home to endemic bird species) are free, though arranged excursions on Ile aux Aigrette cost extra. Use of Hobie cats and activities at the on-site diving center (PADI and CMAS) cost a fee. Deep-sea fishing excursions, glass-bottom boat trips to Blue Bay Marine Park, and half- and full-day catamaran trips can be arranged for a fee. A long pier is boarding point for catamaran trips.