Life

The immigration line at Mauritius’ Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport immediately sets the tone for what a traveller can expect. Their signage is in four languages – English, French, Hindi and Mandarin – a clear indication of the multicultural extent of this East African country. During a quick 45-minute drive up the east coast to the refurbished Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, street vendors can be spotted serving up local fruits like mangoes, pineapples and litchis in abundance. A visual precursor to what awaits in the resort’s villas, where guests are welcomed with all of the above with chilli and tamarind seasoning, the way they’re served streetside. Consider this the beginning of the authentic gastronomical experience that the oceanfront property has to offer.

For the joy of being waterside

It took seven months for the 136-key resort to reopen in November 2025, featuring villas and residence rentals, and significant upgrades across all food and beverage venues. The lobby welcomes guests with Blu’Zil, a bar overlooking the lagoon, which serves as the focal point for most eateries around the property. The fact that almost all of them have a section that opens onto the water, with dedicated seating for post meal lounging as well, makes one want to linger longer than intended. Here guests can enjoy the sunlight glinting over the water in the day, or the sparkling lights that shimmer against the calm dark sea at night – both are equally as captivating. Alternatively, with each villa featuring a private pool and garden, lazy mornings are encouraged and can quickly turn into even more relaxed afternoons, all within the privacy of your own space. Of course, the resort offers floating breakfasts as well that come with the usual trimmings like bubbly, bakes and caviar, which makes it even more tempting to enjoy some alone time.

Meals from everywhere, for everyone

The food is the real star of this Four Seasons outpost, with every single restaurant seemingly outdoing the other. Six different styles of cuisines are on offer at the resort and they deftly encapsulate the multicultural country and the world. Every chef is warm, involved in everything from plating to service, and committed to showcasing the best possible version of the cuisine they look after. At Angara, the Indian restaurant adorned with motifs reminiscent of the country’s palaces, the vibrant Chef Saravana offers two distinct menus and allows a coin flip to decide the fate the diners will experience each day – a traditional share plates assortment called the Royal Experience, and a modernised Fine menu. While the former plates up classic favourites like biryani, tandoori meats and kebabs, the latter brings through unexpected renditions of traditional flavours. Think curry sauce ceviche called Carpaccio Curry Kiss, spinach goat’s cheese ravioli modelled on palak paneer, chicken dumplings with a South Indian rasam broth, and lobster makhani.

Awase, the pan-Asian restaurant, is one of the more formal outlets, featuring many small plates worth ordering repeats of. Think A5 Japanese Wagyu beef nigiri and a Wagyu gyoza with shiitake mushrooms, yellow tail carpaccio with a flavourful green chilli leche de tigre, shrimp tempura and ebi robatayaki with prawns and red curry. Stepping into Radici restaurant feels like an Italian city in itself with classic trattoria-like interiors that set the tone. The best way to dine here is to pick multiple appetisers, the seared red prawns with salsa rosa, slow-cooked veal loin with tuna sauce, and aglio olio style grilled langoustine are standouts, and signing up for the spicy salami piccante pizza and Chef Sergio’s special tiramisu to round it off.

If a sunkissed, beachside meal sounds like the perfect alternative, the Mediterranean-focused, tropical Chaloupe ticks all the right boxes. Think comforting pizza and pastas, grilled fish and meats, stir-fried noodles, and crispy calamari. Where Chaloupe ends, Ti Pwason begins as a beachfront seafood dining space that comes alive in the evenings. With sand beneath diners feet and fresh local seafood on display to choose from, island living has never felt, or tasted so good. The island chimichurri sauce adorning a perfectly grilled lobster is a combination
worth trying. Plus, there is an extensive list of marinades, live music and Mauritian flavoured drinks to sip on while enjoying the lush surroundings.

Tee time by the ocean

On the hour every hour, a speedboat will take guests to Île aux Cerfs, where they’ll find the resort’s exclusive beach away from the main island, featuring La Plaz Beach Grill, a restaurant and bar to keep visitors well fed and hydrated while lounging by the pristine blue ocean, or savour a beverage while on the swinging bar stools. A tip: Take the chef’s word and opt for the catch of the day. Love golf or keen to learn? There are daily complimentary sessions available at the Anahita Golf Club perched by the ocean: ask Coach Sebastian for a tour, or sign up for a round at the course on Île aux Cerfs itself. Additional water-based activities like catamaran boat tours, sunset cruises, guided sailing, snorkelling and fishing are available on site as well.

Cook, sip or relax

Visitors should also put a local creole cooking class on their holiday “bucket” list. It takes place on the beach and is led by Chef David, an absolute riot and a great teacher. Learn how to fold traditional samoussas, whip up a chicken curry and farata from scratch, and end the meal with rum-flamed bananas. In the mood for a massage? Make an appointment at the Oseyan Spa, the island’s only overwater wellness outpost, with relaxing outdoor spaces overlooking the lagoon. And yes, for the kind of guests who enjoy a sweat session while on vacation, there’s a gym, Pilates studio and lap pool to build up an appetite. What really binds the island and the Four Seasons here is the warmth that every single individual brings to each interaction. There is a true sense of family and belonging even if visitors are only able to stay for a weekend. With its reopening, the resort has deftly become a extraordinary home-awayfrom- home which makes it that much harder to have to (eventually) say goodbye.

– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram

Images: Supplied