Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa

The transfer in the E-BMW i7 gives us an idea of the excellence that lies ahead. Our Luxury Suite Pool Villa No. 205: bright, chic, high-quality furnishings. The bathroom: with an elegant marble washbasin, Bvlgari amenities, a double shower and an outdoor rain shower. The water bubbles in the plunge pool and, with the adjoining outdoor living area, the temporary home measures an impressive 165 m2. And that is, no joke, the lowest category in the Maradiva. The founder of the all-villa hideaway, Kailash Ramdanee, had an ambitious goal over 20 years ago: to establish the best resort in Mauritius on the south-west coast, with a dream view of the nearby Tourelle du Tamarin mountain. When he died in the summer of 2023, the major renovation was just halfway through. Hollywood star Anne Hathaway was not yet granted the new look when she checked into the Maradiva during the filming of the movie "Serenity". But it's safe to assume that the ceiling didn't fall on her head in one of the Exclusive Suite Pool Villas. The distance between the loungers on the beach is huge. Nevertheless, most guests seem to prefer their own villa as a retreat, even though a surprising number of them have no privacy screens. However, going out is always a clever idea: you can talk shop with star chef Yannick Hochet in the "Cellar", where thousands of cigars and wines lie dormant, and pop into the new luxury boutique right next door. The next upgrade is already planned: The "Shoba Villas & Residences" with up to four bedrooms can welcome even larger families and groups of friends.

Test highlight: The Ayurveda consultation with specialist Dr. Praveen Nair, who puts together tailor-made packages at the spa.