Sands Suites Resort & Spa Mauritius ★★★★

Situated at the very end of the prestigious and charmingly named Flic-en-Flac Road, lined with luxury beachfront resorts, the Sands Suites Resort & Spa occupies a position so exclusive and private it could rival a Bond villain lair. Its small size contributes to a laidback sense of tranquil intimacy; most guests are couples on exotic getaways, and they stroll leisurely around the property hand-in-hand with soppy grins from ear to ear. It’s like something from a Hollywood romantic comedy. 

After turning our open-top Jeep into the driveway of the hotel, our first encounter with the charming personnel was with a beaming member of the concierge. She checked us in effortlessly and provided us with the keys to our room; admittedly, we didn’t pay much attention to her – we were far too busy gazing out towards the bay. Completely open plan and with no pesky walls to interrupt the spectacular natural setting, the main building boasts panoramic views of the Tamarin Bay. Dominating the scene, is an inviting infinity pool which stretches languorously between the cool stone floors of the Tamarind Terrace Restaurant to the vast expanse of Indian Ocean.

The exclusivity of the hotel was evident from the rooms, our room was cool and spacious, a welcome respite from the energy-sapping sunshine of the tropical paradise outside. With a double bed dressed in soft white cotton linens, and accents in turquoise and chartreuse, the rooms are light and airy, and acknowledge the natural beauty of the resort’s island setting.

Pedal boats, windsurfing and snorkelling are available to guests, and for landlubbers, a game of tennis or renting a bike provides an excellent opportunity to embrace the resort. After sundowners, we swapped Villebrequin and Eres for casual chinos and a floaty maxi-dress and opted for a Pink Peppercorn romantic meal on the beach. Under the stars, we enjoyed fresh, local produce, served by amiable staff with the broadest smiles. As we strolled back across lush tropical grass to our room, the full moon scattering jet-black palm shadows across our path, I slipped my hand into his and realised that here, at the Sands Suites Resort & Spa, every cherished cliché of romantic tropical luxury is made a reality.