There’s a magic in stepping off a plane into warm, fragrant air, especially in a place that instantly feels like paradise. After our unforgettable trip to Zanzibar last year, we yearned for something similar: an island of wild nature, vivid colours, smiling faces, and Mauritius answered the call. Starting our stay at The Residence Mauritius (like we did in Zanzibar) was only natural: elegance, calm, luxury, and that island spirit in abundance.

A Bit About Mauritius…
Mauritius, rising from volcanoes in the Indian Ocean about eight million years ago, has a history as rich and varied as its landscapes. Over time, the island has been shaped by Dutch, French, and British rule before achieving independence in 1968. Today, its culture is a tapestry of Creole, Indian, African, and European influences, all visible in its languages, festivals, faiths, and food. One of its most famous legacies is the dodo, the extinct bird that is nonetheless deeply woven into the island’s identity, from folklore to souvenirs.

The natural beauty is breathtaking: coral reefs guarding over 150 km of pristine white sand beaches; lush forests and waterfalls; extinct volcanic mountain ranges; and marvels like the Seven Coloured Earths at Chamarel, where the dunes dance in reds, yellows, purples, and browns.

Touchdown: First Impressions
We touched down in the late afternoon, just as the sky was turning golden. From the plane, I watched as the land unfolded beneath us with rolling hills, flashes of coastline, dense greens meeting the shifting blues of the sea. By the time we cleared customs and found our driver, darkness had already begun to settle over the roads. While the journey to the hotel was obscured, the anticipation of discovery made every curve exciting.

Arriving at The Residence felt like entering a dream. The huge lobby with a colonial design and soft lighting welcomed us. Staff greeted us with genuine warmth, and in our room lay welcome gifts along with little touches that said: you’ve arrived. The room itself was very spacious with a large living room, a bedroom with a very comfy bed, a huge bathroom with a hot tub, makeup table and closets for unpacking. The next day, we would discover that we also had a nice balcony to relax on.

That night, the buffet in the Dining Room was a feast—fresh, sumptuous, a mix of local and international dishes. With each bite, the trip transformed from idea into reality.

Morning Light & Hidden Delights
Waking up in Mauritius is like being part of some slow and gorgeous unveiling. Opening the curtains, our eyes met the glinting turquoise sea, where palms bent in the breeze, and the horizon seemed infinite. We strolled barefoot along soft paths, breathing in salt and promise.

Breakfast was an event. At the main Dining Room, you have the buffet spread with both Western and local favourites. The freshly squeezed juices, tropical fruits, breads, everything felt curated. That first morning, the fried local bread instantly transported me: warm, crisp edges, tender inside, reminding me of Brazilian pastel. A new favourite was born.

Over the next days, we were filled with numerous memories to bring back home, and I want to show just some of the moments we truly cherished.

Moments That Made the Stay

Sunrise Walks
The morning walk from the first day became a tradition. We rose early several mornings, tiptoeing through dawn’s soft glow. Pink and golden hues smudged the sky, the sea caught the first light and seemed to glow. Quiet paths, rustling palms, birds, the gentle lull of waves—it felt almost sacred. Walking through gardens or along the beach during those hours became a ritual. By breakfast, we felt renewed, calm, connected.

Breakfast in the Room
One of the mornings, after our walks, we decided to indulge in an in-room breakfast, which we enjoyed on the balcony. Sitting there in the morning sun, a slight breeze and with no stress to do anything felt serene. In complete peace, we enjoyed some delicious food and cups of morning tea and coffee while playing some fitting summer music and letting time pass slowly without feeling a second was wasted.

Dining at The Plantation & The Dining Room
The main restaurant in The Residence is the Dining Room. It overlooks the pool, serves a hearty breakfast and transforms in the evenings into fine-dining territory. Buffets are typically served and often themed (seafood nights, Creole classics, etc.). We spent many hours there, tasting a great variety of different dishes and usually ending the nights with an ice cream cone to bring for our walk home to the room.

Then there’s The Plantation, set in a charming colonial-style house by the beach. Think fresh seafood, vibrant Creole flavours, and meals served with a backdrop of crashing waves. Whether it’s lunch or dinner, the ocean view steals part of your appetite. One night we had a magical dinner at The Plantation, the table placed just steps from the sand, lanterns flickering, waves whispering at our feet and the table covered in flowers. The sky was a tapestry of stars with no city glow to drown them out. We dined on some excellent mushroom soup, tasty steaks and fresh fruits and sorbet for dinner, everything seasoned simply so the flavours spoke for themselves. It felt intimate, timeless.

Cooking Classes: More Than Just Food
One of my favourite days was when we put on aprons and dove into Mauritius’s culinary heart. At The Residence, we did a class learning a traditional Mauritian fish curry from scratch with freshly ground spices, fragrant herbs, turmeric, all mixed with laughter and friendly guidance. We also tried Dholl Puri, delicate flatbreads filled with split peas, where we rolled the dough very thin and cooked it in a hot pan.

Flacq Market: A Feast for the Senses
If colours had a voice, Flacq Market would sing. We went early with the hotel car and after a short drive, we were walking the aisles with the sun just up, vendors setting out their goods. There were piles of tropical fruits: papayas, pineapples, mangoes and lots of spices, while the back end was full of fabrics and handcrafts. Street food stalls emitted tempting aromas: samosas, gateau piments (spicy fritters), roti chaud, fresh coconut water (cut and served on the spot), each flavour more exotic than the last.

The people! Local farmers, women in colourful saris or Creole dress, children weaving through the crowds, vendors calling out in Creole, French, Bhojpuri—everything authentic, warm, lively.

Spa & Massage: Island Calm
Between exploring, eating, and wandering, we indulged in spa treatments at The Sanctuary. The reception is scented with ylang-ylang; the décor, dark woods, soft lighting, curtains that sway, invites calm. Massages, facials, even treatments on the beach, all using high-quality products. Hours slip by there, muscles unwind, mind quiets.

Rum Tasting & Local Distilleries
Mauritius takes rum seriously. The sugar cane fields aren’t just agricultural backdrops—they also shape flavours, culture, history. What made rum-tasting in The Residence special for us was sampling several of the local blends: molasses and cane-juice rums, aged versions with vanilla, spice, tropical fruit notes. The complexity surprised me—not just sweet but layered. And tasting them while watching sunlight dance on the sea? Pure bliss.

Glass-Bottom Boat Trip
One afternoon, we traded land for sea in a glass-bottom boat offered by The Residence. Peering down, coral gardens revealed themselves: colourful fish darting through reefs, underwater life quietly busy. The light filtering through the water made the reef look almost magical. It was an afternoon pause, a different way of seeing Mauritius, below the surface.

Pure Relaxation at the Beach
The beach at The Residence is picture-perfect. Our favourite thing to do was to find a quiet place to sit and talk while looking at the shallow turquoise water gently lapping smooth sand, hiding under a few palm shadows, just the two of us. Sometimes we sat just feet in the water, watching clouds, letting time do the rest.

What Stole Our Hearts…
The days passed like water flowing over smooth stones: easy, inevitable, beautiful. The northeast, where The Residence lies, particularly charmed us—pristine beaches, food that is both bold and comforting, hospitality that felt deeply personal. Staying at The Residence wasn’t just about being in a hotel, it was about being in a home carved out of paradise, for just a few unforgettable days.

The Hotel: