Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa is a cut above average. Exotic surroundings and private beaches come as standard in Mauritian hideaways, but Maradiva is pristinely smart, exclusive and sophisticated to boot.

The facilities

The infinity pool is just the start of the luxury experience, with a signature spa offering Ayurvedic therapies as well as a vast range of massages, facials and body treatments (in rooms that open onto private gardens, too). There's also a hydrotherapy cascade pool with a relaxation area, a chill pool, hammam, yoga/meditation pavilion and a beauty salon. You could spend whole days getting pampered...

Plenty of restaurants and bars reflect the island's diverse culinary heritage. Head to Coast2Coast for traditional Mauritian cuisine, or chow down on fine Indian and Pan-Asian dining at Cilantro. Breakers Bar has live entertainment every night and serves a whole range of wines, spirits and cocktails. You can eschew it all for private dining though, with meals from the restaurant served at your villa.

The rooms

65 suite villas have private pools, living/dining areas and a butler service to make stays as relaxing as possible. As well as this, there are flat screen TVs, DVD players, iPod docks, Bose radios, espresso machines and internet connections in every villa. Patio showers are really refreshing, and bedrooms have walk-in wardrobes too.