Radisson Blu Azuri Resort & Spa Mauritius

This beach resort opened in December 2014 as a Centara property, and came under Radisson Blu ownership in September 2015. Because of its recent construction, everything is in pretty pristine condition -- so much so, the place at times takes on the eerie quality of a sprawling new suburban development that's only halfway populated. That is sort of what's going on here. Radisson Blu Azuri is part of the larger Azuri Village community, which includes block after block of privately owned apartments and residences, and a large marketplace, third-party shops, and a property sales and rentals office near the hotel's entrance. (Also note that the suburban maze that is the Azuri compound makes that hotel entrance rather hard to find.) At the time of our visit, the Azuri Village at large and the Radisson resort within it both felt somewhat desolate.

The odd sense of suburbia amid the wilderness of northeastern Mauritius eases off a bit within the resort itself, where rooms are housed in a horseshoe of simple white two-story buildings with blue tin roofs and a line of attached thatch-roofed bungalows near natural mangroves. Kayaking in those mangroves is one of the many laid-back, family-friendly activities at hand here. Families will appreciate the extensive programming and considerations for kids, like mini buffets in the restaurant, but the resort is also popular with couples and groups of friends.

Azuri's corner of Mauritius is mostly defined by the turquoise water of the lagoon and the endless green of the fields and farms. There's very little development out this way (aside from the Azuri compound), which is definitely a good thing -- though some visitors might feel isolated. Those wanting to explore other parts of the island can do so with a car: Chateau De Labourdonnais, a 19th-century mansion on a sugar plantation, and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden are both around a 25-minute drive away. Farther afield, La Vanille Nature Park and Black River Gorges National Park are around a 70- to 80-minute drive to the south. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is about a 75-minute drive from the hotel.

Azuri's 100 rooms are split into three categories: Deluxe Garden (52), Deluxe Ocean (29), and Deluxe Prestige (19). Decor-wise, the three room types share a similar look. All feature a calm color scheme of white and ecru, with splashes of sky and navy blues in the bed pillows and printed armchairs (not found in the Prestige rooms). The white-tile floors are partially covered by sisal rugs, and the off-white walls are interrupted by nothing but mounted flat-screen TVs and maybe a piece of blue-and-white artwork. Opaque sliding glass doors lead to the sizable bathrooms, which feature separate soaking tubs, sleek two-sink vanities, and a glass rainfall shower stall. Separate toilet vestibules are located down the hall, near the entrance. On the other end of the rooms, glass doors slide open to the private, furnished outdoor space found in all of the rooms, whether a terrace, balcony, or garden.

The main differences between the three categories are the size, the view, and the age policy. Deluxe Garden and Deluxe Ocean Rooms both range between 500 and 570 square feet (big enough for an extra bed, if needed), but Garden rooms are located on the ground floor, so they do not guarantee lagoon views, By contrast, the Ocean Rooms' second-floor location affords them views of the property and the lagoon. Steps from the beach, the 700-square-foot Deluxe Prestige Rooms -- arranged in a row of attached, one-story cottages with thatch roofs -- overlook a natural mangrove and have easy beachfront access, as well as lofted cathedral ceilings and sea-facing front gardens with private plunge pools. The Deluxe Prestige category is reserved for adults and children 12 and up only. (No children under 12 are allowed to stay in these units.)

All rooms feature individually controlled air-conditioning and ceiling fans, as well as bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, and a full array of toiletries (including loofahs). There is an Nespresso machine in every room; the pods cost a fee to use, but there are also electric kettles and a selection of free tea and coffee. Minibars are stocked with water, juice, glass-bottle sodas, wine, beer, nuts, and candy (for all-inclusive guests, these items are free and replenished daily). Closets contain safes and umbrellas. Wi-Fi is free, and interconnecting rooms are available. Note that there are three small steps, separating the entryways, closets, and bathrooms from the bed areas, in all rooms. 

Azuri's main, multi-level pool is located on the beach. Its infinity edge looks right over the sand, and its sides and rear edge are surrounded by a concrete pool deck with white loungers, chairs, and umbrellas. The resort's other pool is part of the fitness center, in the back corner of the resort. Though it is not right on the beach, this outdoor pool is impressive for its big size and multiple-section shape (one corner has a zero-entry edge). Inside the fitness center, a long row of treadmills and ellipticals face the pool, perfectly visible through floor-to-ceiling windows. The spacious airy workout room also has stationary bikes, weight-lifting machines, and free weights. A large flat-screen TV is mounted on one wall, and fresh towels are available. 

Guests also have use of the resort's tennis courts, bikes, and bocce ball, not to mention its extensive calendar of organized activities. On any given week, guests can pursue special events like beach volleyball, pool aerobics, water polo, bike trips, Zumba, beach yoga, and Pilates, plus group trips to Flacq market. Come dark, guests can expect live music (nightly), sega shows (weekly), movies on the beach, and stargazing.

Azuri dedicates a lot of space to its kids' club -- more space, in fact, than the fitness center (not including the pool). The kids' club's enormous and modern main room has several different stations for baking and crafting, plus a stage area for dancing and performances. A smaller round-shaped room off to the side contains books, board games, a foosball table, and video games. The kids' club daily schedule typically includes cookie-baking, mask- and paper-necklace-making, painting competitions, musical games, dinner, and mini-disco.

The hotel's 1,850-square-foot, AV-equipped conference room can hold around 60 people for a banquet or classroom-style event or up to 120 guests for a cocktail reception. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort, and room service is available 24 hours a day.

Facing the dramatically blue Roches Noires lagoon, Azuri's beach is long, wide, and utterly peaceful, though its sand is hard and well-packed. The hotel provides beach service to guests stretched out on the plastic (non-cushioned) sun loungers under cloth umbrellas that are set up across the beach's length. Azuri's boathouse offers free water sports, like snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, and pedal-boating, as well as glass-bottom boat trips and windsurfing expeditions.

There are four dining venues at Azuri. The main restaurant, Le Comptoir, sits next to the pool and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets every day. Dinner themes cycle between Moroccan, French, Asian, Latin, Mauritian, seafood, and chef's special. Kids get their own pint-sized buffet counter, with some food options cutely presented in toy trucks. 

The a la carte restaurant L'Azuli opens for dinner four nights a week. The venue's walls open up to the lagoon and its decor focuses on a chic black, blue, and white color scheme. Its floor is black-and-white checkered tiles and the chairs are blue and white -- some have images of the iconic blue two-pence stamp of 1847 emblazoned on their backs. The menu focuses heavily on upscale French-inflected Mauritian cuisine. Expect dishes such as venison stew, grilled lobster, grouper coconut curry, and mushroom-stuffed pheasant with fried black lentils and cinnamon sauce.

The Cafe is a casual counter-service a la carte spot that is a cafe/coffee shop/deli hybrid. Everyday, The Cafe serves breakfast (salmon-shallot frittatas, blueberry waffles, Nutella pancakes) before shifting over to lunch (smoked marlin sandwiches, beef sliders, Hawaiian pizza). Homemade pastries and cakes and coffee are available throughout the day.

Like L'Azuli, Ocean One Beach Club & Restaurant is also a la carte, but it serves lunch and dinner every day of the week, instead of just dinner four nights. The beachfront restaurant's menu revolves around meat and seafood, and also includes burgers, club sandwiches, Mauritian curries, pastas, and pizzas. Ocean One is very popular for its Saturday night barbecues and Sunday brunches. Its bar is open in the afternoons and the evenings (with a four-hour closure between lunch and dinner). Seating for Ocean One's bar includes beanbags on the sand.

Cyan Bar, the pool bar, serves drinks, light fare, and tapas every day. 

Azuri offers half-board rates that cover a daily breakfast and dinner, helpful given its remote location and the lack of other restaurants nearby. Guests looking for an all-inclusive option can also upgrade upon arrival (for a supplement) or contact Radisson directly (finding and booking the all-inclusive package online is weirdly difficult). Radisson Blu's all-inclusive package includes buffets for all meals (lunch and dinner can be had in the a la carte restaurants for a fee) and drinks at Cyan and Ocean One bars. Snacks and sandwiches are available throughout the day at both bars for all-inclusive guests.

Centered around a tranquil courtyard pool, Azuri's Spa by Decleor offers a robust treatment menu that encompasses massages, facials, waxing, hair and nail services, and multi-day packages. There are more than 20 massage options on offer, including traditional Thai, hot-stone, Ayurvedic, and Shirobhyanga (Indian head massage). In-room massages can be arranged as well. 

All treatments include a foot ritual and detox tea. Before or after treatments, guests can add in relaxation time in the spa's tiled steam room, wood sauna, Turkish bath with blue-tile seating and an arched ceiling, or pool patio with cloth loungers separated by strings of seashells.