8 reasons Mauritius is the next big destination

With calm lagoons, tropical beaches, volcanic mountains and a deeply layered culture, Mauritius is the perfect place to relax.

If your holiday checklist includes glassy aqua beaches, lively coral reefs, dramatic natural wonders and unique wildlife, then Mauritius is for you. This tropical island nation is a harmonious melting pot of cultures, traditions and languages.

On its pristine shores, you’ll find a rich culture influenced by Indian, Chinese and African traditions, incredible culinary offerings and everything you’ll need for a refreshing wellness holiday. This island paradise is still off the well-worn path of most tourists. So, now’s your chance to enjoy this pocket of peace in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

1. Underwater worlds (and peaceful beaches)

With over 330km of beautiful coastline to explore, Mauritius is just made for water play. Grab a paddleboard, go snorkelling or hop aboard a catamaran and enjoy the clear blue waters, coral reef and over 49 sparkling inlets. For those who like the world underwater, there are around 100 spectacular diving sites to immerse yourself in, where you can get up close and personal with the local marine life.

Clear blue seas of Mauritius — Have an up-close encounter with Mauritius’s vibrant marine life.

2. Rich culture

Mauritians are proud to celebrate different religions and ethnicities, and as such, there is a beautiful, complex tapestry of architecture, festivals and events throughout the year for locals and visitors to experience. A favourite pastime, the joyous, traditional Sega dance connects the whole island. It’s so important to the local culture that it’s even on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Plan your trip around one of their many festivals, ranging from regattas, culinary festivals and music festivals, or be a part of the traditions of Diwali, Chinese New Year, Holi, Independence and Republic Day.

Two ladies dancing for the Diwali festival — Immerse yourself in the rich culture.

3. Tasty cuisine

If food is your love language, Mauritius will be your culinary heaven. The diverse mix of Indian, Chinese and African cultures has created a foodie scene that is exploding with flavour and colours. As well as the many fine dining experiences, the food stalls offer fresh food on a daily basis. When you’re finished savouring the island’s foodie fare, sit back and relax with a glass of their local rum or tea as the sun sets over the beach.

Overhead view of a table for dinner with friends — Delight in mouthwatering meals.

4. Family-friendly

Finding a holiday for the whole family can be challenging. But not in Mauritius. Whether your kids (and you) like hiking, ziplining, treetop walks, quad biking, mountain biking, or abseiling and canyoning, they will find an adrenaline rush to keep them busy. If they are water lovers, there’s also snorkelling, diving, kitesurfing, paddleboarding or kayaking. You could join in, of course, or you could relax in a lounge chair on the beach and sip a cocktail in the sun. It’s your choice (and no one is judging).

professional kiter makes the difficult trick on a beautiful background of spray and beautiful mountains of Mauritius — Find plenty of activities to entertain the whole family.

5. Unbelievable nature

Mauritius isn’t all adventure sports and spice-filled cuisine. This island nation happens to be packed full of bubbling waterfalls, misty mountains, protected wetlands, marine parks and even bird sanctuaries. Known as the home of the now-extinct dodo, this remote island has several endemic species such as the pink pigeon, Mauritius kestrel and the echo parakeet. Bring your binoculars and swimmers and spend the day as a twitcher.

Beautiful scenery of Le Morne Beach. — Spend a day diving deeper into nature.

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6. Luxury lifestyles

While you don’t need a big budget to enjoy the lagoons, beaches and culture of Mauritius, if you’re after a little luxury, you’ll easily be able to find it. There are incredible five-star resorts and catamarans. And let’s not forget the 12 impeccably manicured golf courses to choose from. You don’t even need to bring your five-iron, as you can hire a set of clubs on arrival.

exclusive charter yachts — Treat yourself to a luxurious experience.

7. Romantic offerings

While you could bring your family and friends, Mauritius is also the perfect place for a little alone time with your significant other. From couple’s massages and private catamaran snorkelling trips to hiking and exploring the Mauritian culture in the capital Port Louis, you’ll find new (and rediscover old) ways of connecting. Plus, nothing beats an evening walk on the beach, holding hands as you count the stars.

Silhouettes of young couple at scenic sunset on tropical beach in Mauritius — Take a serene walk, hand in hand.

8. Wonderful for wellness

With more and more travellers looking for holidays with a wellness edge to them, Mauritius is becoming a haven for relaxation and reflection. The locals say the volcanic island soil has a unique energy to it, and after a few days you’ll start to agree. Create your ideal wellness holiday with world-class spas, yoga classes on the beach, forest bathing in the rainforests, Tai chi lessons and local energy experts. There’s even medical tourism. However you choose to spend your time, you’ll feel brighter and have more energy after just a few days.

A person doing yoga in the beach — Indulge in a peaceful recovery retreat.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.