Constance Prince Maurice, Mauritius

Constance Prince Maurice occupies an extraordinary position on the north-east coast, carved out of a coastal forest reserve where mangroves meet the edge of a fish reserve lagoon. Named after the Dutch governor who first settled Mauritius, the resort carries its historical debt lightly — the architecture is unmistakably contemporary, with pavilions and suites suspended over the water on stilts, connected by raised wooden walkways above the fish reserve below. At dawn, mullet and parrotfish are visible through the slats, and the heron that visits the overwater restaurant each morning is a fixture more reliable than any concierge. The Floating Restaurant is one of the most celebrated tables in the Indian Ocean, serving French haute cuisine on a platform over the lagoon where the reflection of candles shimmers in the water. Suites are among the most private on the island — each in its own garden or over-water compound — and the spa is consistently rated among the top five in Africa. Prince Maurice works best for couples seeking a genuinely romantic retreat: it has no large families, no conference groups, and no animation programme. The wine cellar, housing over 25,000 bottles including verticals of Pétrus and DRC, is available for private tastings. It is, by some distance, the most singular address in Mauritius.