Located on Le Chaland Beach on the southeastern coast of Mauritius, nearby the old capital of Mahebourg, Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas is now open.
Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort’s 164 guestrooms and suites have bathrooms with a rain shower and separate bathtub and a terrace or balcony with a daybed overlooking either the resort’s gardens or the Indian Ocean. Tip: Eight luxury Pool Villas—two with two bedrooms and six with four bedrooms—will launch in Q2 next year.
Anantara Spa offers a range of therapeutic treatments, including traditional massage therapies, detox treatments and rituals in the spa’s Turkish hammam. Yoga and meditation, as well as a variety of wellness journeys, practiced by experts in Reiki therapy, chakra healing and Ayurveda, are also available.
Note: Sustainable initiatives solar technology for water heating in all guestrooms, planting endemic flora within the hotel landscaping, reusing water for irrigation and cleaning, zero use of plastic straws across the resort and incorporating recycled materials into the resort’s décor.
The resort’s multiple dining options are a tribute to the island’s cultural heritage. Local seafood and regional flavors are available at the signature restaurant, Sea.Fire.Salt. Private dining spot Zafran offers degustation menus accompanied by wine pairings. At Bon Manzer, the focus is on natural, organic, unprocessed and nutrient-dense food. Horizon, the all-day dining restaurant, has a breakfast buffet and nightly themes. The Karokan Poolside Bar serves tropical beverages, beers, wines, and Mauritian rum cocktails.
Bonus: Foodies can learn how to create traditional dishes in a Spice Spoons cooking class, which includes a visit to a nearby fresh food market, a future in-resort herb garden and boutique winery to taste locally made lychee wine.
The Kids Club has a supervised program that includes arts and crafts, face painting, treasure hunts, cooking classes and games inspired by local Creole culture and the ocean.
A range of motorized and non-motorized water sports are available, including paddle boarding, water skiing and kitesurfing, in addition to diving, deep sea fishing and catamaran cruises to private islands. The nearby Blue Bay Marine Park is one of the island’s top snorkeling and diving destinations. It’s possible to spot surgeonfish, parrotfish, needlefish, damselfish and butterflyfish, along with occasional turtles and moray eels.
For those wishing to explore the south east corner of the island, many nature, historical and adventure activities can be arranged. Just 15 minutes driving from the resort is Mahebourg, the first capital of Mauritius, known for its local market, museums, fortifications and the battles between the French and British. Guests interested in flora and fauna can visit nearby nature reserve Ile aux Aigrettes, which is leading the way in Mauritius with conservation efforts by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. A little further away is Black River Gorges National Park, known for its waterfalls and hiking, and, for the more adventurous, quad biking and zip lining.
Good to know: Golfers have the choice of over a dozen courses in locations across the island, including an 18-hole course with sea views just 30 minutes from the resort.
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