I love the colonial-style décor of the Hotel 20º South, including a library complete with a fish tank, and it is small and friendly, and staffed by locals in the know.

It has a small beach, but guests can also go to nearby La Cuvette– one of the islands best white sand coves – to swim. It’s best to go in the islands’ summer as it can get windy here in winter (June to August).

The rooms are small, so I would recommend going for the sumptuous Austral Suites, overlooking the bay, with four-poster beds, and a plunge pool or whirlpool bath on the balcony.

The Hotel 20º South ‘Secret Spa’ beside a tranquil swimming pool, offers good treatments by Comfort Zone. Activities include a sunset cruise, and picnics and snorkeling at nearby islands, and Mont Choisy golf course lies nearby. There’s a free daily shuttle to Grand Baie’s Sunset Boulevard, with shops, bars and restaurants.

Susie suggests:

• Go on a dinner cruise on Lady Lisbeth, a vintage boat that goes around Grand Baie.
• Take the complementary hotel shuttle to La Cuvette, one of the best beaches for sea swimming on the island.
• Do a Mauritian rum tasting with Tony, with 70 different rums to choose from.