I thought it best to wait until paradise to phone the grandparents. Casually mention we’d brought their nine-month-old grandson on a twelve-hour flight across the Indian Ocean. In truth, there was little to worry about. Mauritius is one of the best long-haul destinations for young families — calm, generous, and kind. The Residence at Belle Mare, just an hour from the airport, feels like stepping into a Somerset Maugham story: slatted shutters, whirring ceiling fans, white linen, and hush.

The hotel arranged the transfer. British Airways provided a bassinet. A few naps, a feed on take-off and landing — and we arrived intact.

Mauritius is a collision of languages and temples, mosques and churches. French and English are widely spoken. There’s no malaria, no Zika, no yellow fever. The beaches are white, the waters shallow, the wildlife abundant. The time difference is four manageable hours. The country, technically African, is among the wealthiest on the continent. It doesn’t shout about it.

The Residence is small — 135 rooms — and surprisingly quiet for how family-friendly it is. There were treasure hunts and picnics for the children. Staff remembered names, made flowers out of towels, scattered spices on the dinner table, left poems on pillows. Rakesh. Kunal. Amanda. Ricardo, who taught my son high-fives at the boathouse.

In the summer months (October to May) the sun is strong. But under a frangipani tree, in his stripy hat, Xander was happy. My husband sailed in the afternoons. I watched monkeys move through the guava trees. We napped in the shade of the badamier.

At night we stepped out with the baby carrier to look for shooting stars. Locals hunted sand crabs by torchlight, filling buckets. One night there were fire displays and pounding Sega drums — Creole music, raw and rhythmic. Another night, a blood-red tiger moon rose behind the clouds.

Later, back on our terrace, with Cole Porter drifting through the scented dark, Xander slept in the next room — spent, silent, folded into sleep.

Viewfinder: Mauritius

Lagoon-light mornings. Creole rhythm. Reef, spice, and slow barefoot glamour.

Roomkey

The Residence — private villas with teak floors, limestone walls, and smart climate control.

One&Only Le Saint Géran — coral-stone charm meets modern craft. Spa, fine dining, island grace.

The Table With a View

Le Château de Bel Ombre: dine under frangipani trees. Farm-to-table Creole fare from organic gardens. Reclaimed wood, soft light, and biodynamic wines. Simple, honest, unforgettable.

Through the Lens

Shadows in Black River Gorges. Turquoise drops at Île aux Cerfs. Morning walks in Pamplemousses Garden.

Windowseat

Direct flights from London on fuel-efficient Airbus A350s. Quiet cabins, organic meals, and onboard Wi-Fi. Mauritius airport runs on solar power and recycles water — a modern welcome to a timeless island.

On The Road

Rent a restored 1960s Jaguar E-Type Convertible from Mauritius Classic Car Hire, headquartered in Grand Baie. Revered as one of the most iconic British sports cars, the E-Type boasts a 4.2-liter inline-six engine delivering 265 horsepower, paired with a smooth 4-speed manual transmission. Its lightweight chassis and independent rear suspension offer an agile drive along the island’s coast. Take the scenic route from Grand Baie down to the UNESCO-listed Le Morne Brabant peninsula — winding roads framed by sugarcane fields give way to sweeping views of the Indian Ocean’s cobalt expanse. Feel the wind, hear the engine’s growl, and discover Mauritius at a pace designed for those who appreciate both engineering and elegance.

Future Frame: For The Global Citizen

Support the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation’s restoration of Ile aux Aigrettes, a coral island sanctuary just offshore. Consider eco-conscious catamarans for lagoon crossings, and opt for locally guided reef walks to better understand the island’s fragile marine biodiversity. Thoughtful travel here sustains both ecosystems and Creole heritage.

This piece first appeared in Baby London, published by Chelsea Magazine Group.