The Oberoi, Mauritius

The spacious, air-conditioned, Luxury Pavilions comprise of bedrooms each with a vast fourposter bed and sitting area, en-suite bathrooms with sunken marble bathtubs, separate showers looking out onto open-air walled gardens and furnished outdoor terraces perfect for private outdoor dining. Wooden slatted ceilings and wall-to-wall neutral colours contribute to a feeling of relaxed grandeur. The Luxury Villas, each with its own lush gardens and dining gazebo, and many with their own plunge pool, make an even more exclusive and luxurious retreat, as do the Royal Villas, which have their own private swimming pools.

The twin freshwater swimming pools feature carved Buddha heads and stone pillars creating the effect of swimming through a half submerged oriental temple. Water-skiing, snorkelling, paddle boats, hobie cat, windsurfing, kayaks and pedaloes are all available. There are also two floodlit tennis courts and an instructor available for coaching. There is a golf course a 10 minute drive from the resort.

At The Spa, holistic treatments drawn from Ayurveda, Aromatherapy and Eastern techniques combine with exotic beauty treatments to reenergise you from within and without. There are individual spa suites with private plunge pools where couples couples can relax together plus a beauty parlour, sauna, steam bath, swimming pool and gym. Traditional Mauritian treatments using natural local oils and fruits, such as the coconut husk body brush, followed by a deep massage with freshly ground coconut, feature alongside more conventional therapies.

Dining in the thatched open-sided restaurant, with sparkling views of the ocean, you can choose from European, Oriental and Creole dishes complemented by an impressive wine list. The bar is in an exotic beachfront setting, built around an 18th century historic ruin which has been preserved since the days of the French Occupation.