MauritiusBel Ombre
SO Sofitel Mauritius
Moated pavilion resort
Bel Ombre Mauritius
Opened
2010
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Resort LuxeOutside the door
The house
AccorMoated pavilion resort
It runs like an open-air coastal village, where moated thatched pavilions and timber footbridges replace standard hotel hallways.
What it’s good at
Notable
Thatched open-air pavilions with water channels and vibrant interiors by Kenzo Takada.
Listed
Single-story suites with walled private gardens, open-air stone baths, and outdoor showers.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
The hotel really is so Mauritius, and not just for the idyllic tropical island setting.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Along Bel Ombre's southern lagoon, bordered by the Jacotet River across fourteen hectares of beachfront grounds.
The rooms
Suites sit inside walled private gardens, with open-air showers and deep tubs set beneath the open sky.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
Shaped like a traditional panga knife, the heated infinity pool stretches across the lawns toward the beachfront.
The gym
Technogym cardio machines and free weights stand on polished hardwood floors inside the 24-hour fitness room.
Restaurant
Le Flamboyant
Set beneath a soaring thatched roof and encircled by water channels, dining tables are laid with Kenzo Takada tableware.
At the table
At Le Takamaka, wicker armchairs sit directly in shallow tiled water basins under a high thatched roof.
How it began
Architect Lek Bunnag planned the grounds around the Belle Rivière, drawing its flow into a network of channels leading to the ocean.
Mauritius
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The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.