Long Beach Mauritius review: A five-star ocean-front hotel | Africa | Travel

Nestled on the East Coast of Mauritius is Long Beach, a five-star resort hotel from Sunlife, enveloped in lush greenery with endless azure sea views.

The open-plan resort places outdoor living at its heart, with rooms, restaurants and amenities centred around a stylish piazza. By day, the piazza is the perfect spot for relaxing beneath the towering palms, but the outdoor hub comes alive when the sun goes down, lit by glittering fairy lights and interactive artworks.

Rooms, dining spots and facilities are dotted around the resort, including three swimming pools, five restaurants and two bars – all of which are set to the backdrop of a vast, blonde sand beach. There’s a large family-friendly swimming pool at the centre of the resort, as well as a lap pool by the fitness centre.

But the piece-de-resistance is perhaps the adults-only infinity pool, where the glassy blue waters trickle into tropical surroundings. Here, you can soak up the sun from your own day bed, with waiters on hand to deliver cocktails poolside.

As well as lounging around by the pool, Long Beach is also ideal for those who want to get active on their holiday, a bustling destination well suited to families and romantic vacationers alike.

There’s a wealth of explorative and sports activities to get on with, thanks to the hotel’s “Come Alive” Collection. Head to the fitness centre to enjoy a range of classes including Aqua Zumba, Body Attack and Body Combat, or even have a go on the climbing wall. Early risers can soak up the stunning sunrise, which is at its best from the eastern shorelines, with unique experiences including sunrise yoga and kayaking.

And if you’re more of a golf enthusiast, hotel guests have access to golf at the famous Ile aux Cerfs island and the nearby 18-hole course at Anahita.

There’s also plenty of relaxation in store. Upon arrival, guests are offered a special 30-minute ‘Swing and Drift’ experience, though this is bookable for an additional fee. Climb into an ocean-facing hammock and unwind after a long day of travel, as a member of the spa team massages away your neck knots and soothes temple tensions.

You need not worry about having to carry heavy bags across the resort either, with friendly staff on hand to whisk you and your luggage to rooms on a golf cart. Package holidays to Long Beach are on offer from TUI and Virgin Atlantic. 

Rating: 4/5

Long Beach is home to 255 rooms and suites, each with its own private outdoor space. We checked into a contemporary Junior Ocean-Front Suite, flooded with light from the beach-facing patio doors.

It’s hard to resist throwing open the doors to your exclusive terrace area, which leads directly onto the stunning sandy beach. There’s a comfy outdoor sofa, providing the perfect spot for your morning coffee, with endless coastal views and nothing but the sound of waves to disturb you.

The open-plan room is spacious enough for two, with a sofa area and television, as well as two double beds ideal for a family or two to three people sharing.

However, there are no doors separating the bathroom space from the bedroom, so privacy is limited. Luckily, the toilet is concealed away in its own frosted glass cubicle, styled similarly to the large shower area. And there’s a large tub ideal for unwinding after a busy day of exploring.

A his-and-hers sink space is perfect for couples, with plenty of space for two to get ready in tandem. There is also a mirrored dressing table for glamorous guests to spruce up before a night at one of the resort’s restaurants or bars.

Rooms feature a contemporary minimalist style, and although clean, certain elements of the space appear well-loved compared with other five-star resorts on offer from Sunlife. All-inclusive guests can enjoy certain snacks and drinks in the mini-fridge, though others come at a premium, so it’s worth checking the price list before tucking in.

Rating: 4.5/5

From sunrise to sunset, there are plenty of food and drink options to choose from across Long Beach’s five eateries. For breakfast, head to Le Marché where there is an eclectic buffet to choose from, including locally sourced fruit juices, perfectly baked pastries, hot breakfast options and an egg station where chefs whip up fresh omelettes before your eyes.

Understandably, tropical fruits are a key feature in Mauritius, and the coconut and papaya are refreshing fruit salad additions to start the day off right.

As the sun heats up, it’s well worth a stop at Shores – the resort’s beachfront cocktail bar.

All-inclusive guests can choose from a selection of cocktails, while more high-end classics, such as espresso martinis, are available for an additional cost.

Located on the piazza, Shores also hosts local craftspeople selling woven bags and other souvenirs throughout the week, as well as becoming a live music and performance venue by night.

For those who want something to sip on poolside, Tides is the resort’s swim-up bar and dining spot, where guests can try local rums, one of Mauritius’ leading exports.

There’s also Italian restaurant Sapori and Asian-inspired Chopsticks, but arguably the best restaurant on offer at Long Beach is Hasu.

Ranked the number one Japanese restaurant in Mauritius on Tripadvisor, the menu offers a selection of fresh fish, meat and vegetarian dishes. Small touches, including the addition of edible flowers, complete these dishes. The sushi platters are an obvious must-try.

With biodiversity one of Long Beach’s core values, many of the fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices served are sourced from the on-site chef’s garden, which guests are welcome to take a tour of.

Rating: 4/5

Located on the eastern coast of Mauritius, the resort offers some incredible coastal views and is perfectly situated for sunrise vistas.

However, it’s worth noting that the resort is susceptible to a light breeze during the Mauritian summer, which grows stronger as the windier May to September winter season arrives. Though there is plenty to busy yourself within in the resort, staff can also help with planning excursions to nearby attractions.

A visit to Île aux Cerfs is well worth carving out some time for, taking just 30 minutes by car, and then a short boat ride across to the private island.

Spread over 87 hectares of untouched land, the island is home to an incredible white sand beach, aquamarine waters, a beachfront restaurant and bar, and an 18-hole championship course where Long Beach guests can enjoy free and unlimited green fees.

The hotel is roughly one hour and 10 minutes from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, but the hotel does offer airport transfers which can be booked.

Rating: 4/5

Rates vary depending on dates and demand but start from £1,342 per person for seven nights half board.

Find rooms and book direct on the Long Beach website. Or, compare deals and prices for a stay at Long Beach with Booking.com or Hotels.com.