Having recently returned from Mauritius, and specifically Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel, I felt compelled to write my very first TripAdvisor review.
If you only want the short version: this place is simply incredible. The food, the setting, the facilities and the service are all outstanding. Most importantly, however, it is the genuinely friendly and attentive staff who make Paradise Cove one of the best holiday experiences we've ever had.
Now for the longer version...
Paradise Cove is located in the north of Mauritius and, with only around 70 rooms spread across low-rise three-storey buildings, feels wonderfully intimate and exclusive. Despite the relatively small number of rooms, the hotel occupies a large area, so it never feels crowded or busy.
As an adults-only resort, it is clearly geared towards couples seeking a peaceful and relaxing escape. Facilities are excellent, including three swimming pools, a spa, gym, tennis court, bike hire and complimentary water sports.
The Room
We stayed on the third floor and had a balcony with a seating area overlooking the cove. The room was spacious, beautifully decorated and extremely comfortable, featuring a large king-size bed, air conditioning and a ceiling fan.
The bathroom was equally impressive, with double sinks, a double shower and quality toiletries provided. Other useful touches included a large wardrobe, safe, ironing board, hairdryer and a fully stocked minibar. The room also featured a mixture of UK, European and USB charging points, which made life very easy.
Bottled water was replenished daily, and beach towels were supplied and changed regularly.
The Grounds and Pools
The hotel's grounds are stunning and immaculately maintained. The main swimming pool flows seamlessly towards the beach area, where there are plenty of sunbeds available throughout the day. Behind the beach is a further pool used for activities such as aqua aerobics.
One of our favourite areas was the peninsula on the far side of the cove, where you'll find another infinity pool and bar with breathtaking views out across the ocean. Unsurprisingly, this tends to be one of the most popular spots in the resort.
Scattered around the gardens and waterfront are the famous "love nests" - private daybeds that provide a more secluded place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
One feature we particularly loved was the service button at each sunbed, allowing you to call a waiter directly for drinks. It's a small touch, but it perfectly reflects the high level of service throughout the resort.
The hotel also has a strict no-reserving-sunbeds-before-10am policy. In reality, this was never an issue as we always managed to find somewhere to relax, even during busier periods.
The Food
The dining experience was exceptional from start to finish.
Breakfast is served in the main restaurant and offers virtually everything you could want, including fresh fruit, pastries, cereals, yoghurts, cooked breakfasts, made-to-order omelettes and American-style pancakes.
For lunch, guests can choose between the Stay Bar and the Peninsula Restaurant, both offering a varied menu with something for all tastes.
In the evenings, there are four dining options. The main restaurant alternates between themed buffet evenings, including Mauritian, Indian and barbecue nights, alongside à la carte service on other evenings.
The XO restaurant serves Japanese cuisine, while the Peninsula Restaurant offers another excellent à la carte option. Both require advance reservations, and I'd recommend booking ahead. We contacted the hotel before arrival and secured our reservations in advance.
The fourth restaurant, The Cove, is available at an additional charge. We chose not to dine there because the food in the included restaurants was already so exceptional that we simply didn't feel the need.
Quite honestly, some of the meals we had here rank among the best we have ever eaten on holiday.
Bars and Entertainment
There are two bars within the resort: the Stay Bar in the main hotel area and another located on the peninsula. Both offer an extensive drinks menu, with most options included in the all-inclusive package.
Evening entertainment is understated, elegant and perfectly in keeping with the atmosphere of the resort. Think talented acoustic musicians, singers and pianists rather than large-scale shows. It created a wonderfully relaxed and sophisticated ambience.
Activities and Facilities
We made regular use of the boathouse, which offers complimentary sailing (Hobie Cats), windsurfing, pedalos, kayaks and paddleboards.
One highlight was the free daily snorkelling excursion. Guests are taken by boat to the nearby reef, where equipment is provided and you can explore an abundance of colourful marine life. For those who prefer to stay dry, the boat also features a glass-bottom viewing area.
We also enjoyed a couple of treatments in the spa, which were fantastic. While treatments incur an additional charge, all-inclusive guests receive 50% off their first massage.
The gym was surprisingly well equipped, with plenty of free weights and a good selection of resistance and cardio machines.
Other activities available included tennis, archery, yoga, aqua aerobics and rum tasting.
Exploring Mauritius
The only organised excursion we booked through the hotel was the guided e-bike tour of northern Mauritius. This was a brilliant way to explore the local area, and our guide, Yannis, was knowledgeable, friendly and great fun throughout.
We also arranged a trip to Port Louis independently, visiting the capital city and the botanical gardens on the way back. It was a fantastic opportunity to experience more of the island's culture.
Another unforgettable experience was a whale-watching excursion on the west coast organised through AllezMoris Travel. It required an early start, but seeing these magnificent animals in their natural environment was a genuine bucket-list moment.
Final Thoughts
I've probably gone on long enough, but hopefully this review gives a good insight into what makes Paradise Cove so special.
The facilities are excellent, the location is beautiful and the food is outstanding. However, what truly sets this hotel apart is the people. Every member of staff we encountered was warm, professional and genuinely eager to make our stay memorable. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble.
Paradise Cove delivers that rare combination of luxury, relaxation and personal service that turns a great holiday into an unforgettable one.
Without hesitation, I would recommend Paradise Cove to anyone visiting Mauritius, and we would absolutely love to return one day.
