Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Apartments & Villas
Renting a holiday apartment or villa is by far the most economical option in Mauritius, es-
pecially if there are a number of people travelling with you. There are hundreds of rental
options available for tourists ranging from small studios in factory-sized complexes to
lavish seaside mansions fit for a movie star. If you're travelling with your family or
friends, a large high-end property can cost as little as €25 per person, which more than
rivals the hostel-esque relics from an earlier era of travel on the island. But remember,
even though rentals represent a better price-value ratio on the whole, you always get what
you pay for.
Most of the accommodation in this category is privately owned and managed by an um-
brella agency that markets a large pool of crash pads. While choices can vary greatly you
should expect, in all but the cheapest places, that your home-away-from-home comes with
daily maid service, a fully equipped kitchen, air-con and concierge service provided by
the property manager (make sure to double-check) .
Guesthouses & Chambres d'Hôtes
If you're looking for an island experience that doesn't involve the term 'all-inclusive',
Mauritius' guesthouses and
chambres d'hôtes
(B&Bs) are well worth considering. This
category of accommodation is managed by locals - often families - who often dote on
their guests with genuine hospitality. It's a fantastic way to learn about the
real
Mauritius
hidden from package-deal tourists. In fact, you'll sometimes have the chance to dine with
your accommodation's proprietors at their
tables d'hôtes.
Over the last few years the government has begun issuing security mandates for all
tourism-related properties. Panic buttons and 24-hour security have become a compulsory
expense for owners, forcing guesthouses to jack up their prices beyond the budget range
to pay the bills. As a result, the island's
chambres d'hôtes
are starting to be under threat,
especially since all-inclusive resorts have been known to offer bargain-basement prices to
stay competitive during the economic downturn. Nonetheless, there's still a scatter of
charming spots sprinkled around the island that are, now more than ever, promoting a
'local experience'. You'll find a cluster in Pointe d'Esny, and
chambres d'hôtes
are partic-
ularly popular in Rodrigues.
Hotels & Resorts
Rounding out the sleeping circuit is Mauritius' best-known brand of accommodation - the
dreamy resorts found on the pages of magazines and in TV commercials for credit cards.
And, despite the global economic recession, dozens of these opulent properties continue
