Why the best Mauritius family holidays are all about the right Attitude

As someone who’s had more than one holiday in Mauritius, John Lewisohn thought he’d seen it all, until two extraordinary Attitude Resorts made him think again.

Coin de Mire Island from Zilwa Attitude, Mauritius

“We are a small island” said taxi driver, Joseph, who picked me up from the airport in the far southeast of Mauritius, under low clouds, the roads glistening from a recent deluge.

“But don’t worry, the north is only 80 minutes drive and I promise the sky will be blue. The clouds form over these hills and are trapped,” he continued, gesturing  at impossibly pointed peaks strangled in thick  green foliage.

Joseph seemed mildly smug as, when we drove up the tropical driveway of Zilwa Attitude, his prediction proved correct.

“See. I told you. I live five minutes from here. The north is best.”

Oddly, I’d heard a similar claim on a previous holiday in Mauritius, when I’d stayed on the coast closest to Reunion and Madagascar, only that time, it was “west is best”.

The islands of Zilwa Attitude, Mauritius

Zilwa Attitude adds a few more islands to a holiday in Mauritius

The crenelated Indian Ocean coastline where Zilwa sits is immediately appealing, and my first view on entering the lobby was of the cool shaded Siro Kann bar revealing a pool, beach and imposing Coin de Mire island shimmering in a heat haze on the horizon.

After a short nap in my spacious beachside bedroom, I boarded an extraordinary floating square made up of what appeared to be giant, interlinked DUPLO blocks powered by an outboard motor, for the five minute crossing to Gran Zil. This is one of Zilwa’s two private islands and home to-one of its many distinctive restaurants where you can settle under palm thatches to enjoy a BBQ lunch and local specialities like octopus curry served on tin plates.

The island beach is equally delicious with turquoise water so shallow that, even at 30m out, my sausage dog Milo would barely need to start paddling. In fact, it’s all so textbook tropical my jet lagged and sleep deprived brain is almost struggling to compute after months of grey London weather.

Privilege Suite, Zilwa Attitude

Attitude Resorts spoil you with choice, and that’s always good thing on holiday in Mauritius

Attitude Resorts have seven properties in Mauritius, predominantly in the north.

Three, including Zilwa Attitude, are in the extreme north and two are in the northwest; one of which is Ravenala Attitude where I planned to spend my last two nights on the island.

There are also a further three hotels on the central eastern coast. Out of all seven, three are adult-only, and four are family resorts: 4-star Zilwa and Ravenala, and 3-star Coin de Mire and Friday Attitude.

Family catamaran cruise, Zilwa Attitude

A responsible Attitude towards Mauritius and its people

In July 2024 Attitude Resorts was awarded the heralded B Corp certification, after decades of demonstrating the positive impact of their social and environmental actions.

This isn’t rammed down your throat, but all hotels champion local producers and support the local economy, from incorporating fabrics manufactured on the island into their interior design to using local farmers and fisherman where possible, to supply their restaurants: think of it like responsible family holidays made easy.

They even encourage staff to share authentic experiences with guests, by hosting dinners at their homes or providing musical entertainment. And instead of paper menus, restaurants have QR codes for you to scan.

On top of this Attitude have developed an app called Otentik, which lets guests explore the island as a local through un-touristy excursions to hidden locations.

Also, each hotel has an Otentik bazaar where you can buy a wide range of Mauritius-made products in an attractive settings.

Cap Malheureux, Mauritius

Could you resist a guided tour called, ‘Where time stands still’?

Naturally I was intrigued, so on my second day took an Otentik excursion called, “Where time stands still: beaches and local life”, led by a Mauritian guide and leaving from Zilwa Attitude.

There are 28 stops in total, and you can do as many or as few as you want – we didn’t manage all 28 by any means. Also, you can tour by car, our choice, or on a hired scooter.

We started off at the local town of Goodlands that holds an interesting market several days a week, and wandering around the bustling streets allows visitors to get a real feel for the neighbourhood.

Although Goodlands doesn’t compare to the very large market in Flacq, just outside Port Louis, which I visited last time I was in Mauritius, it’s a lot closer to Zilwa Attitude and fits with the easy-going vibe of the Otentik tour.

Stop off for tiny pineapples and homemade vanilla and almond ice cream

From Goodlands we visited Cap Malheureux , the most Northern point on the island with a picturesque harbour, and locals selling tiny pineapples the size of large apples, as well as delicious homemade vanilla and almond ice cream.

The Cap is home to a famous red-roofed church overlooking the bay and a popular spot for weddings. It’s surrounded by flame trees which came into their own during my December visit when the leaves turn scarlet and look suitably festive despite the 35° heat. Fun to note, that the local toilet attendant was dressed in the brightest orange boiler suit, determined not to be outdone by the colourful church or trees.

At high-tide, nimble children (and parents) can walk along the harbour wall at Cap Malheureux to reach a neighbouring beach where you can have a proper swim as the seabed shelves quite rapidly: most Mauritian beaches have extremely shallow water.

Although Cap Malheureux is also close to the popular resort of Grande Baie where our guide let us in on the secret of Pereybere Beach: best loved by islanders.

Kids Club treasure hunt, Zilwa Attitude

A cute as a button kids’ club and restaurants your kids will love

It’s hard to tear yourself away from Zilwa Attitude, described as the most Mauritian of all Attitude’s hotels, and when your kids see the genuine 100 year old wooden sailing boat standing sentinel at the entrance to the Kids Club, they’ll be enchanted too.

The boat can be clambered around, and the interior has antique wood cladding and children can play with the original control panels’ clunky switches and dials, as well as the traditional wheel.

The Kids Club also has shady play areas and is free of charge for all young guests aged from three to 12 years,  and activities take place all over the resort, including treasure hunts on both private islands.

Taba-J, Zilwa Attitude, Mauritius

Falling for authentic food trucks that echo the island’s joie de vivre

You’ll find seven restaurants scattered around the property, one of which is Karay, a buzzy buffet serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a different daily menu and its own kid’s corner.

My favourite lunch spot ended up being the Taba J food truck. There’s one at every resort and they really exemplify the Attitude ethos, as they’re kitted out like a Mauritian grocery store illustrating the island’s joie de vivre through local street food such as rotis, boiled noodles in chicken broth, dhal puris and even baguettes. Help yourself to paper bags for the baked and fried sweet delicacies stored in traditional Kilner Jars.

Taba J and Tea Baz – a Mauritian tea bar – were also a highlight of my afternoon visit to Coin de Mire hotel. This family hotel is on a smaller scale than Zilwa and will appeal to families looking for a more boutique experience, but it still has several restaurants and bars, as well as a good-size kids’ club.

The Ravenala Attitude, Mauritius

The Ravenala Attitude shifts the pace of a holiday in Mauritius

However, if big and bustling is more your vibe, then The Ravenala Attitude will certainly fit the bill.

This resort features a total of 272 suites, all with balconies, and the smallest being 64m2. The design is more contemporary than Zilwa and my suite directly faced the beach for fantastic sunset views.

While perhaps not as immediately appealing as Zilwa, Ravenala did grow on me.

Pool time, Ravenala Attitude, Mauritius

It’s set in a huge tropical garden populated by Ravenala “traveller palms” and, like me, you’ll probably spend a lot of your holiday beside the two large swimming pools that lead down to the beach where the water sports centre offers everything from a pedalo to water bikes.

Many rooms overlook the peaceful Citron River, and if you walk upriver you’ll come to the romantic Riviera Seafood restaurant: for adults only and not part of the all-inclusive package, but a good excuse for a babysitter.

Ravenala offers nine restaurants and, although I wasn’t able to try them all, I can particularly recommend Kot Nou for Mauritian dishes, and Lime, for sushi on the beach.

Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis © Mauritius Tourism

Take a break from the beach and pitch up in Port Louis

Port Louis, the capital is close to Ravenala and it’s a nice change from the beach. My tip is to go early before it gets too hot.

Caudan Waterfront is a popular drop off point for shopping and dining, plus it’s fun to stroll under the canopy of colourful umbrellas.

Despite only having a population of 140,000, Port Louis reminded me of Bangkok, from the humidity and bustle to long wait to cross busy junctions: particularly at the must-see Central Market, just a short distance from Caudan Waterfront.

Aapravasi Ghat, Port Louis © Mauritius Tourism

I also strongly recommend a visit to Aapravasi Ghat UNESCO World Heritage Site  and Museum.

Between 1830 and 1910 more than 450,000 people arrived in Mauritius to start a new life and Aapravasi Ghat is where they disembarked. The majority were from India, but also from China, nearby African countries and South East Asia, and around 70% of modern Mauritians are their descendants.

Frankly, I initially went in as it was air conditioned, quiet and free, but I came away with a new understanding of Mauritius and its people. The experience is equally fascinating for kids, with video screens illustrating the new way of life through the eyes of a child.

From a visitors perspective, the legacy is of a proud, modern melting pot where the locals exhibit a joie de vivre. Plus, even today, most Mauritians speak three languages – French, English and Creole – which puts most of the rest of us to shame.

Beach, Zilwa Attitude, Mauritius

Turns out the perfect holiday in Mauritius really is all about the right Attitude

A holiday in Mauritius is a long way to come with a family, but so worthwhile. And Attitude Resorts make it almost inevitable for you to absorb the Mauritian culture they’re so proud of.

“I have had such a wonderful stay and I’m sorry to leave,” I said to Ishmail the Guest Services Manager of Ravenala, as I reluctantly got into my taxi back to the airport.

“Mo bien kontan,” he replied with a smile, which translated means. ‘I’m delighted’. And so was I.

*price based on 2 adults, and 2 children under 12 years of age