The Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius is home to some amazing resorts, and the oldest and most iconic is Shangri-La Le Touessrok Mauritius (formerly known as One&Only). This property kicked off luxury hospitality on Mauritius, a country known for its hospitality. Since opening, this resort has experienced numerous expansions and renovations. Its most recent was in 2024, and it has never looked better. These are our five favorite reasons why this tropical destination resort is a must-visit for Americans.
The beaches
This resort sprawls across six secluded beaches stretching 2.5 miles, tucked into bays and coves along the 84-acre property. The waves are gentle, and the water is shallow enough for kids to play. Given the resort’s privileged location, every single room and suite faces the beach with those on the ground floor open directly to the sand.
Rows of thatch-roofed palapas with clever towel racks above are on every beach. Cushioned lounge chairs have side tables, and the staff quickly brings over a cooler of chilled water. While the beaches are for all guests, the longest one in front of reception and the biggest pool are the most popular with families.
Other smaller beaches are rather quiet and almost make you feel as if you are on your own private island. One important thing to note is that sharp corals and sea urchins are common in the waters around Mauritius. If you plan to spend time in the water, rubber shoes are a good idea.
There is also a large family pool and separate adults pool, both with splashing fountains and views of the sea.
The private island
Speaking of private islands, this resort is the only one in Mauritius to have one of its own. Head for the jetty on the edge of one of the beaches here to take a free motorboat over to Shangri-La’s own, well, shangri-la.
There, you will find more beach chairs with umbrellas, cushioned cabanas, day beds and plenty of beach and sand to frolic the day away. A separate restaurant and bar mean that you’re never far from a menu.
It is also home to a golf course with free greens fees for guests. To get there, meet the bell staff near the enormous banyan tree at the entrance. They can drive you in a golf cart to the jetty (it’s also walkable). Service here is excellent with a nearly 3-to-1 staff to guest ratio.
The dining
With so many options here, you don’t need to leave the resort. And most people don’t. Guests can opt for a half board package covering breakfast and dinner or full board.
The main venue is the breakfast and dinner TSK Restaurant, which has an open kitchen and live cooking stations that prepare the extensive buffet menus here. Breakfast starts with fresh bakery and pastry options, all kinds of tropical fruit, eggs prepared to order, and regional selections from around the world. Themed buffets are popular with choices like Middle Eastern, pan-Asian and Indian. Guests on a dining package can order almost anything on the menu here with only a handful of premium dishes carrying a surcharge.
Coco’s Beach House is a must-try restaurant as it opens directly to the beach. Start your meal with a drink as you sit in a swinging chair or with your feet in the sand. The cocktail and mocktail list is extensive with new options added regularly. Drinks come with nuts and canapes, and during the evening “golden hour,” drinks are 50% off.
Then move to the al fresco dining area with a breeze that wafts through from the shore to the exhibition kitchen. On the menu are various international regional dishes. I tried the local palm heart salad with truffle vinaigrette and a vegetable curry with chutneys and the country’s spicy piment spread on the side. Grilled chicken, ribeye steaks, freshly caught seafood and different salads are also options. Many of the herbs and spices come from the resort’s own garden.
Each month, visiting chefs spice up the offering with special menus they bring from their own restaurant. During my visit, Michelin-recognized chefs from Spain were preparing two multi-course dinners of Spanish specialties.
Saffran is the South Indian-inspired dining room preparing fragrant dishes from its pair of tandoori ovens and open kitchen. At Kushi, the stunning interior design is as much a part of the experience as the fresh sushi and teppanyaki-prepared menu itself. I really appreciated how the hotel’s website lists the full menu for each restaurant online.
The activities
There is so much to do at the resort. Like most properties, it has a full-service holistic wellness spa. But, it goes above the norm with a reiki master on staff and treatments like icoone micro-stimulation and an Iyashi Dome. The fitness center is open 24-hours with the option to hire a personal trainer. There are also boxing, Zumba, tennis and swimming lessons push sunrise yoga.
Non-motorized watersports are complimentary here, but so is jet skiing. This is one of the few resorts around the world that I have visited that offers this activity without a charge. You can also hit balls on a trio of tennis courts or padel court, try your hand at archery, chess or darts, or play beach soccer or volleyball.
Other activities include bocce ball, billiards, table tennis and visiting the property’s three tortoises (one of whom is more than a century old). A few times a week, guests can participate in feeding them or learning to play Mauritian instruments. The kids club is expansive with its own waterpark and pool, indoor games and learning sessions, and even a stage for performances.
When kids check in to the hotel, they discover a huge gift box waiting for them, packed with t-shirts, coloring books, toys and stuffed animals. It is the most generous spread I have seen for kids to take home. Another nice touch here is the sit-down check-in welcome in the feng shui lobby upon arrival. There is also a complimentary fruit station for guests to grab and go as they wish.
The rooms
Duvet-covered beds come with a pillow menu for you to customize your rest. I appreciated the international array of power outlets in the room, too. The resort caters heavily to British, French and German guests, but is seeing a growing number of American visitors among other markets. The wireless charging clock by the bed was a hit.
Other extras include welcome gifts for adults like flip flops, shirts and beach bags to take home. A large, lighted makeup mirror (like what you might find in a department store) sits on the countertop.
Each room has a furnished balcony or terrace, espresso machine, spacious closets and L’Occitane-stocked bathrooms with dual vanities, spacious shower stalls and deep soaking tubs. Sliding doors close off the room from the bathroom, allowing for either natural light with a view or more privacy.
The three villas here come with three bedrooms each, private butler service (and the option to add a chef), large living areas, their own pools and kitchens. These are especially popular with visiting celebrities, athletes and politicians who have stayed here over the decades. Among them: David Guetta, Princess Stephanie of Monaco and former French President François Mitterrand.
How to get there
Numerous airlines connect the U.S. and Mauritius with just one change of planes in their hub city. These include Air France (Paris), Austrian Airlines (Vienna), Emirates (Dubai) and Turkish Airlines (Istanbul). You can earn or redeem frequent flyer miles with your favorite loyalty program, too.
