Customize one of our recommended trips or design your own from scratch
Travelling with children? Sakoa Boutik may be just the holiday option you're looking for. This small family hotel on Mauritius's north-west coast opens directly on to the sparkling sands of Trou aux Biches beach, where the swimming in the lagoon is safe, even regarded by regular visitors as the best on the island. This is a stylish holiday destination, with its steeply pitched, thatched roofs matching the height of the palm trees that surround it, the dark-walled swimming pool at its heart, the good accommodation, great food and friendly staff.
From $140 person/night
The first attraction? Undeniably the beach, with its soft, warm sand and gentle slope into the water.
Donning scuba gear and discovering the underwater flora and fauna. A newcomer to diving? Courses are available for beginners.
Kite surfing. This is a great workout and lots of fun. Take off in the wind in one of the numerous spots around the island.
You can feel the warmth of the atmosphere as you enter the main building, with its friendly staffed reception desk. Beyond reception, set beside the pool and with huge views of the sea, the restaurant serves both a la carte and sometimes a set menu. The seafood is sublime. There's a well-stocked bar that's popular at sunset and, outside, a pool lined with black marble. Visit the spa for a treatment and enjoy wi-fi connectivity throughout the hotel.
There are 16 rooms – 14 standard rooms, six with sea views and eight looking on to the gardens, and two suites. The standard rooms are housed in seven single-storey bungalows. All rooms are spacious, with room for children, aircon and terraces on which to kick back and admire the view. Each has an en-suite bathroom and a kitchenette. The Honeymoon Suite is sheer romance and the Senior Beach Suite has a mezzanine that can accommodate two children.
We have stayed at well-known five-star resorts on the island, but Sakoa's beachfront location and relaxed style is unbeatable. We have been reluctant to write a review because we wanted to keep it secret.
Show all activities
The beach is protected by a coral reef, so it's perfect for swimming. Go paddling and kayaking, snorkel or scuba dive the reef, exercise your muscles kite surfing or waterskiing, take a day cruise, explore the ocean in a glass-bottomed boat, go parasailing or head out for some fishing (November to April). Kids will love the underwater walk in a diving helmet and the one-hour submarine ride. Le Sakoa is just 20 minutes by car from buzzing Port Louis.