Sugar Beach Mauritius

Guests pass a secured gate to arrive at palatial wooden doors that lead to the open-air lobby, which has comfy colonial-style furniture and a double staircase that leads down to the pool area. The 12 acres making up the property include well-manicured grounds filled with palm trees, plus two- and three-story white colonial-style buildings. Travelers can expect to see ducks and swans floating around a pond, and straw umbrellas dotting the beach -- but sharp coral is strewn along the shore. Furnishings at this resort are quite simple, but the views are nonetheless picturesque. Families with noisy children sometimes clash with the couples who vacation here, though for the most part the property is quiet. Thanks to on-site event planners, weddings are commonly held on the beach or in the one conference room that can fit 180 people.

On the leeward (west) side of Mauritius, this hotel is nestled on a beach that has a lot of coral, so travelers typically wear shoes. Flic en Flac town is a five-minute drive away, and offers a few shops and restaurants. Beside the hotel is a public beach that attracts a lot of locals. Guests have access to the facilities at sister hotel Le Pirogue, which is a five-minute walk away. Tamarina Golf Estate and hiking at the Casela Nature Park are a 15-minute drive from here. The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden is 55 minutes away by car. Port Louis -- with the Caudan Waterfront offering shopping, dining, and entertainment -- is a 45-minute drive. Getting to the SSR International Airport by car takes one hour. Taxis are parked opposite the hotel, and there's free on-site parking.

The 258 rooms have simple decor consisting of dark wooden furniture, tile floors, tan chairs, and accents in shades of pale teal and brown. Framed paintings add a necessary dash of color to the spaces. The overall effect is pleasant but not quite as upscale as advertised. All rooms have writing desks, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and either patios or balconies. Minibars, free Wi-Fi, and tea- and coffee-making facilities also come standard. Bathrooms have large windows facing the bedrooms (with shades), plus glass showers and separate bathtubs. Sugar Beach brand toiletries, bathrobes, and hairdryers are also provided. Superior Rooms have sitting areas and terraces with sofas; some also have direct beach access. Two ground-floor Villa Suites -- which can be connected -- feature four-poster beds, wet bars in sitting rooms, and butler service. 

To maintain the harmony between families and traveling couples, the hotel offers a kiddy pool in the kids’ club and an adult-only pool. There's also a main lagoon pool with bridges and fountains partially shaded by palms. Of course, the beach also provides swimming in relatively calm waters protected by a reef, but note that sharp coral is typically along the shore. Additionally, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing charters, glass-bottom coast rides, parasailing, catamaran island trips, and other water sports are on-site. The large, thatched-roof Sun Kids’ Club -- for children ages 2 to 11 -- is decorated with bright colors and a disco ball; the club has a computer room, playground, and cafeteria. There are also excursions and parties geared toward kids and teens ages 12 to 17. Six faux-grass tennis courts and a pro shop are available, in addition to a petanque court, sandy volleyball courts, and a soccer field. The modern gym has ample equipment, a spinning studio, and an area for martial arts. For more relax-minded guests, the Aura Spa has a hot tub, indoor pool, and menu of beauty and body treatments. The hotel has its own golf course, Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club, about 90 minutes away by car and staff can help guests plan a visit there. The property hosts beachfront weddings on the sand and in a conference space that fits up to 180 guests. 

The main restaurant, Mon Plaisir, serves Mauritian fare and offers poolside Sega dancers and live DJs until late. The beachfront Tides restaurant and bar serves seafood-centric fare for lunch and dinner. Citronella's Cafe offers Italian food, including wood-fired pizza, and a bar. Paul and Virginie Restaurant also has Mauritian fare in poolside thatched-roof chalets. La Brasserie is a French-style bar with Cuban cigars, and the modern Sports Bar offers pool tables. A beach trolley provides cocktails and snacks on the sand. All-inclusive packages are available.