Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa

The spa and wellness centre provides a comprehensive range of Africology products and Ayurvedic treatments, nutritional advice, personal training, complimentary yoga, meditation and pilates, as well as a variety of massages and specialised treatments. There is a fully-equipped couple's therapy room, a sauna, a steam room and in-room treatments are also available. The Shanti Spa is one of the largest among Africa's Indian Ocean islands. You can stop by the hair and beauty salon for a 'freshening up' (especially if you just have been on safari) before heading for one of the resort's restaurants or lounge bars.

The hotel has a main swimming pool which also features a Jacuzzi, as well as tennis courts and a gym for those guests who want to stay in shape. The more adventurous can hire bicycles or scooters to discover more of the surrounding area or hit the 9-hole putting green. The resort also offers a library, a boutique and has Wi-Fi throughout the resort at 100mbps.

The Explorers Kids Club is one of the most comprehensive in Africa. Professional nannies look after children aged four months to 11 years, giving each group age-appropriate routines and activities. There is a dedicated splash pool, tots' tennis court, an air-conditioned sleep room, an archery station and even an outdoor cinema in the evenings. Activities range from gardening and kite making to cooking and golf lessons, as well as trips to nature parks. Meals are co-ordinated with parents and can include lunch at the restaurant or high tea.

There are 36 acres of tropical gardens to explore and because no motorised water sports are allowed off the beach, peace and tranquility reign.

Outside Shanti Maurice you can enjoy ziplining, shopping and walks in the nearby indigenous forest.

Shanti Maurice has a number of restaurants and lounge bars, each of which serves cuisine based on ancient Ayuvedic principles: using body type to determine the best possible diet. Star serves fresh South African-inspired Cape cuisine, and is a perfectly romantic spot for a candlelit dinner.

Dine on exquisitely prepared dishes in a tranquil Indian Ocean setting. Star celebrates the rich diversity of Mauritian history and culture, with Indian and international influences, through delicately spiced dishes, fresh salads and contemporary flavours. Open throughout the day, Star offers superb cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also offers an exclusive wellness menu. The Star cookbook is an ideal gift to take home for foodie friends wanting to experiment with fusion flavours from Africa.

The Fish Shack serves authentic Mauritian food in a traditional environment. This rustic, beach-side barbecue is lit up by lanterns and dining is accompanied by the sounds of waves breaking on the reef. From fish to meat and game, each meal is carefully prepared and enjoyed while Sega dancers perform traditional dances.

The Rum Shed is the first of two vibrant bars, and offers 180 different rums from 36 different countries. It has a laid-back, rustic atmosphere where you are encouraged to bury your bare toes in the sand as you sip on your special tipple.

The Red Ginger bar features a pool table, TVs for live sport matches and shisha pipes.

Shanti Maurice prides itself on growing its own fruit, vegetables and aromatic spices, which are incorporated into its menus. Enquire about a special lunch in the garden, under the watchful eye of a private chef. Alternatively, travel for 10 minutes beyond the grounds to dine in an authentic, upmaket private home in an experience known just as 'Grandma's Kitchen'. The head of Grandma's Kitchen creates 'La Kaze Mama', a interactive experience where she takes you through the basics of Mauritian home cooking in Shanti Maurice's lovely herb and vegetable garden.