Villa Anakao

Upon pulling into the gated, tree-lined parking lot, the hotel appears to be a private luxury home. The colorful interior is a mishmash of mostly African-inspired furnishings and charming, disparate accent pieces that have been personally cultivated by the hotel’s proprietor. The social scene is concentrated in and around the pool by day, but shifts to the tiny open-air bar after dark. A large outdoor terrace with wicker furniture and colorful throw pillows, is another popular spot to relax. With only 10 rooms worth of guests, the vibe is quiet and relaxed day and night. Children are allowed on the property. However, the lack of kid-friendly facilities (aside from the pool) and the single bed in most rooms means this is a property targeted almost exclusively at couples.

There are no services or attractions within walking distance of the hotel, and daily taxi service can quickly become expensive on the island. For most guests, the best option is to rent a car at the airport. Downtown Port Louis is reachable in 20 minutes by car or the public bus service. Although the capital city’s vibe is thoroughly industrial, guests can find additional restaurants, shops, and services here. Tombeau Bay and Flic en Flac (30 minutes north or south respectively) offer lovely beaches, tourist services, and a more vacation-friendly vibe. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) is one hour southeast from the hotel, along mostly modern roadways.

Every room is individually designed. The common thread is bold African-inspired decor with brightly painted walls, locally sourced wood furnishings, and carved tribal artwork. The vibe is unpretentious and relaxed, bordering on bohemian. There are no room categories; rather every room features an individual layout with similar amenities. All units are generously sized with more square footage than most typical mid-range hotel rooms. In-room amenities include the essentials: free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Coffeemakers and bottled water are also provided. Bathrooms in most rooms are pared-down and dated with tilework and fixtures that feel well past their prime. Stand-up shower stalls and generic bath amenities are standard. Standard shared and semi-private balconies (some with water views) add a bit of extra space to spread out. 

Features are aimed squarely at vacationers. The outdoor pool is modest, but sizable enough for the hotel's limited number of guests. A handful of lounge chairs provides relaxed seating, although the lack of umbrellas means no shade. The west edge of the terrace is lined with a glass wall overlooking a rocky breakwater and a tiny unusable patch of sand. The views of the Indian Ocean are nice, but industrial when large shipping vessels are in port.

Feet from the pool is an open-air bar, not much larger than a gazebo, with seating for a dozen guests. The vibe is cozy and intimate (some might argue "cramped"). After noon, an honor bar with an abbreviated selection of beer and liquor is available to ensure most guests won't mind the lack of elbow room. The space spills seamlessly into a small shaded lounge area overlooking the ocean. A basic hot breakfast is served here or in guests’ rooms daily. 

The mixed-use lobby offers a relaxed, quirky lounge space with plenty of books and games. Immediately adjacent is a small dining table and a kitchen pass-thru window from which basic a la carte snacks and beverages are available throughout the day. Wi-Fi is free in every common area. Self-parking is provided in a gated lot.