Following our founder Mark Swords’ immersive stay at Silky Oaks...
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There are family holidays… and then there’s Four Seasons — where everything feels elevated, effortless, and genuinely fun for everyone. Our Luxury Travel Associate, Hollie, recently returned from a four-week stay in Mauritius, where she revisited some of the island’s top resorts with her family in tow. But it was her time at the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita that really stood out.
From bikes with stabilisers to crab hunts at dusk and dreamy dinners overlooking the Indian Ocean, here’s everything she loved — and why this resort is firmly on our radar for a family escape with proper style.
Having lived in Mauritius during my maternity leave, the island already holds a really special place in my heart. So when I had the chance to return for a few weeks with my family, I jumped at it.
Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita is located on the east coast of Mauritius and stretches across 26 hectares of beautifully kept grounds, with views over mangroves and the Indian Ocean. All the accommodation here is villa-style, and every one comes with its own private pool — which, with young children, is game-changing.
We stayed in one of the family villas, and it was absolutely perfect. Plenty of space, lovely open-plan living, and thoughtful touches everywhere — from kids’ toiletries and bathrobes to a fully kitted-out cot and blackout blinds. One of our favourite things was the bikes provided for the whole family. Ours came with stabilisers and a baby seat, so we could ride around the resort together. It sounds simple, but it gave the whole stay this lovely sense of freedom — like the island was ours to explore.
I’ve seen a lot of kids’ clubs over the years, but the one at Four Seasons Mauritius blew us away. It wasn’t just the activities (though cookie baking, tennis lessons, and night-time crab hunts were all a hit), but the way the team made our children feel like VIPs from the moment we arrived. A member of staff greeted them at check-in with a gift and a full rundown of what was on offer — and they couldn’t wait to get stuck in.
The club is technically for ages four and up, but our three-year-old was welcomed with open arms thanks to being potty trained, which felt like a small but really appreciated show of flexibility. The vibe was warm, lively, and super inclusive — there were always other children around, and the staff were genuinely brilliant.
One of the highlights of our stay was a boat trip to Ile aux Cerfs, a postcard-perfect island just opposite the resort. Four Seasons Mauritius has its own private beach there, complete with loungers, beach service, and a relaxed restaurant where we had one of our best meals of the trip. The boat over takes less than ten minutes and runs every hour, so it was easy to pop over for a few hours and still be back in time for the kids’ bedtime. The sand was powdery soft, the sea was warm and calm, and the whole island had that wonderful, nowhere-else-you-need-to-be feeling.
Having said that, this isn’t just a resort for lounging — although there’s plenty of that too. There’s a beautiful spa set over the mangroves (a massage here is a must), a lap pool for those who like to start the day with a swim, and a fully equipped gym with both indoor and outdoor spaces. My partner went out on a guided snorkelling trip around the mangroves and spotted seahorses — something you’d never expect to find so close to shore. There’s also tennis, golf (two championship courses, no less), paddle boarding, yoga… honestly, if you want to fill your days, you absolutely can. That said, we also spent plenty of time by the pool, where every single one is heated — a game-changer if you’re travelling during the Mauritian winter months like we did.
Dining here was another highlight. There are six different restaurants, each with their own style — but the real standout for me was the Indian restaurant. The black dal was probably the best I’ve ever had. We also loved the poolside lunches, the beach grill, and the amazing cocktails at O-Bar (highly recommend the spicy margarita).
One thing I really appreciated as a parent was the consistent kids’ menu across every restaurant. It meant we didn’t have to worry about whether the children would eat, and we could fully enjoy exploring the wider menu without fuss. It’s a small thing, but it made a big difference.
There’s something about Four Seasons Resorts that just gets family travel. The balance between luxury and ease, privacy and community, relaxation and activity — it all just works. Every detail felt considered, from the warmth of the staff to the layout of the resort (beaches on both sides = a calm patch of sea no matter the breeze).
We left feeling completely reset — the kids were happy, we were well fed, well rested, and already plotting our return.
Swords Says: If you’re looking for a luxurious, easy-going family escape with zero compromise, this is the one. We’ll help you choose the perfect villa and plan everything from spa days to beach picnics — all you need to do is pack the suncream and the swimwear.
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