Solana Beach Mauritius

Solana Beach is one of the east coast's most contemporary resorts, seamlessly blending modern style with a blissful tropical atmosphere. Framed by stone walls and floors and a pitched thatch roof, the open lobby introduces Solana's signature bursts of color, with baths of flower petals, bright throw pillows on low built-in sofas, and the hotel's colorful teardrop logo behind the wood-plank front desk. The lobby opens to resort grounds filled with herb gardens, bougainvillea bushes, oleander shrubs, spiral-leaved tropical plants, and coconut trees. Geckos and hedgehogs might dart across the paths leading to the hotel's three-story, thatch-roofed room buildings and common facilities, like the lagoon pool and the main dining, drinking, entertainment, and wellness area. The resort appeals in equal measure to families (thanks to its mini club, kids' pool, weekly movie nights) and romancing couples (thanks to its adult-only restaurant, upscale spa, and lagoon-side tranquility).

Solana Beach is a five-minute drive up the coastal road from Belle Mare, a traditional fishing and farming village on Mauritius's east coast. Beyond Belle Mare's cluster of souvenir shops and snack stands, there isn't much in the area -- Solana is located in a part of the world prized for the natural beauty of its beaches and rolling green sugar fields. A car or guided tour is needed for island outings, like to Black River Gorges National Park (about a 75-minute drive away), Port Louis (50 minutes), and Pamplemousses Botanical Garden (40 minutes). The drive from and to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport takes a little over an hour.

Guest rooms at Solana Beach are chic with a touch of glam, featuring contemporary furnishings; spacious, sexy bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers; and clear lagoon views from private balconies or terraces.

Solana's main restaurant, Cinnamone, is one of the more elaborate buffets on offer in Mauritius. It features several live cooking stations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a rotating dinner calendar with Creole, Asian, Mediterranean, Indian, Seafood, and Rotisserie nights. Cinnamone's appetizer bar typically features fresh fish and octopus salad, and papaya salad with salted fish, and entrees often include stews and curries. The dessert bar is filled with puddings, tarts, cakes, and fresh coconut slices. A romantic adult-only restaurant called Secrets Corner is located in an extension off of Cinnamone's far side. It has just a handful of tables, decorated with candles and rose petals. Open for dinner five nights a week, Secrets serves a special menu with items like sushi and sashimi for a supplemental fee. Indigo Bar is open daily from morning until night. Afternoon snacks, pastries, coffee, and tea are available here during between meals. The bar overlooks the dance floor and stage with entertainment, like sega shows, karaoke, and live sitar and tabla music. During the day, the beachfront Coco Bar serves Phoenix beers, rum punch, fruit juices, fresh coconut water.