Mauritius has absolutely no shortage of large beach resorts. If you have started planning your family holiday, you have probably already seen the same big names come up. There are huge five star properties on the west coast, massive all inclusive complexes in the north, and famous golf resorts along Le Morne. They are all excellent, and many of them are the perfect choice for a relaxing family trip.

However, Mauritius also has a completely different side. It is a side that involves sleeping in a transparent bubble while looking up at the stars, waking up on a working farm to find horses outside your window, and sitting by a jungle river while monkeys jump around in the trees. These are the stays that you end up remembering most.

We stayed in six different properties during our two week trip, and the three most memorable ones were not resorts at all. Below are five of the most unique places to stay in Mauritius with kids. This includes the three we experienced ourselves, plus two others that belong on any family shortlist. All of them are memorable alternative to the standard hotels and resorts you can find.

For the full picture of where to stay across all areas and price points, read our complete Where to Stay in Mauritius with Kids guide!

1. Sleep Under the Stars at Bubble Lodge Île aux Cerfs

Bubble lodge is made up of four transparent bubble suites on the private island of Île aux Cerfs. The island gets busy with day trippers all morning, but around 5pm the last boat leaves and the entire place becomes yours. What follows is a private beach at sunset, a brilliant three course dinner at the golf club restaurant, and going to sleep while the Mauritian night sky fills the ceiling above you.

A cot is available on request for babies, but our 3 yr old daughter happily slept on the sofa bed (which can accommodate 2 kids). The rate includes your boat transfer from the mainland, breakfast, dinner, and even a complimentary golf lesson. A dedicated butler is also on call by golf cart for the duration of your stay.

Check availability and current rates for Bubble Lodge Île aux Cerfs here 

Read the full review here: Bubble Lodge Île aux Cerfs Review with Kids: Sleeping Under the Stars on a Private Island

2. Jungle Glamping at Otentic Eco Tent Experience

Otentic is a gorgeous glamping lodge sitting right on the bank of the Grand River South East. You sleep in safari tents on raised wooden decks surrounded by coconut palms.

What makes it so memorable is the incredible atmosphere and the food. Everything is cooked from scratch using local produce. It is served buffet style in a communal dining area, and it was without question the best food we ate on our entire two week trip. The evening atmosphere is lit by fairy lights and a bonfire, giving it a wonderfully warm, social feel.

Brilliant activities are all included in your stay, like kayaking to the beautiful Grand River South East Waterfall, archery, badminton, and free use of their swimming pool. They also run a free shuttle boat to the famous Île aux Cerfs beach every single morning.

The safari tent has one king bed and two single beds, which works perfectly for a family of three or four. The official listing states children over five are welcome, but after booking we asked if we could stay with our three year old and they were very accommodating.

Check availability and current rates for Otentic Eco Tent Experience here 

Read the full review here: Otentic Eco Tent Experience Review: Glamping in Mauritius with Kids

3. A Mountain Farm Stay at La Vieille Cheminée

La Vieille Cheminée is a beautiful small eco lodge set on a working farm up in the mountains near Chamarel. You sleep in standalone cabins featuring a fully equipped kitchen, a covered outdoor dining terrace, air conditioning, and mosquito nets. When you arrive, you drive straight through the active farm complex, instantly giving you the sense that you are somewhere very authentic.

Our daughter fed the chickens, collected eggs for our breakfast, pulled carrots from the ground for the rabbits, and helped us pick fresh herbs from the garden to make mint tea.

Breakfast is included and delivered right to your outdoor table each morning. There is also a small honesty shop next to the stables stocked with pasta, tins, and a freezer full of delicious homemade meals. The property has a small kids swing, free walking trails, and a swimming pool with incredible mountain views.

Check availability and current rates for La Vieille Cheminée here 

Read the full review here: Staying at a Mauritius Eco Lodge with Kids: Our La Vieille Cheminée Family Review

4. Overlook a Crater Lake at Bubble Lodge Bois Chéri

If the idea of sleeping in a transparent bubble appeals to you but the private island location does not quite fit your itinerary, the Bois Chéri Bubble Lodge location offers the exact same unique sleeping experience in a totally different setting. These bubbles sit on a historic tea plantation in the south of the island, looking out over a volcanic crater lake with the south coast visible in the distance.  

It is much quieter and more remote than the island version, leaning heavily into the lush tea plantation landscape. The views from the bubble over the lake through the canopy of endemic trees are absolutely extraordinary at night.

Your rate includes breakfast and dinner served at the plantation restaurant. Free activities include hiking, cycling, pedal boating on the lake, and tea tasting at the Bois Chéri factory just a five minute walk away. For families, children under three stay free with a cot, and up to two children under fourteen can easily use the provided sofa bed.  

Check availability and current rates for Bubble Lodge Bois Chéri here 

5. Wake Up in a Wildlife Reserve at Ferney Nature Lodge

Ferney Nature Lodge is the only accommodation located inside the Ferney Valley Nature Reserve, which is one of the most important biodiversity areas on the east coast of Mauritius. The reserve is a protected habitat for rare birds like the Mauritius kestrel and pink pigeon. Because the lodge sits right inside the reserve, you wake up to calming birdsong.

The lodge features an outdoor pool, a restaurant serving local cuisine, and a lovely terrace overlooking the natural landscape. The absolute highlight here is the guided nature walks led by local experts with deep knowledge of the valley.  

For families, the combination of wildlife walks, a refreshing pool, and an immersive jungle setting makes it a fantastic choice for children who love being outdoors. It is also very well placed for exploring the east coast, with Mahébourg town and the Blue Bay Marine Park within easy reach.

Check availability and current rates for Ferney Nature Lodge here 

How to Build the Perfect Itinerary

In our experience, the absolute best version of a Mauritius trip with young children is not to stay in one place for two weeks. Moving around lets you experience the island differently in each location. Booking three or four nights at a relaxing beach resort, followed by one or two nights at somewhere highly unique like the lodges above, gives you the perfect balance of resort recovery time and genuinely memorable adventure.

For help planning your complete route, read our 2 Weeks in Mauritius with Young Kids itinerary!