Why go?
For newlywed couples craving instant decompression, Anantara Iko Mauritius delivers a fast-track to tranquillity with its standout spa rituals, coastal seclusion and refined natural setting. It’s the kind of place where you arrive travel-weary and leave blissfully wrung out, in the best way.
Honeymoon style
Designed for romantics who take their relaxation seriously. If you prioritise rituals over routines, ocean views over noise, and spa oils over sunburn, this is your spot. Whether it’s your first trip post-wedding or a chance to properly pause and soak up married life, it ticks every box for honeymooners in need of slow mornings and starry-eyed dinners. We were delighted by the endless ways Anantara Iko made us feel like these were the most cherished moments as newlyweds.
Set the scene
Tucked away on the untouched south-east coast, this resort doesn’t shout for attention. But, after winding your way through the cobbled, lush driveways, you’ll find its quietly lux entrance with rope-hung sofas and organic bubbling water features, alongside a cold flannel and icy drink welcome, quietly earns it. Set back from the beach, nature is given space to bloom here, with the hotel thoughtfully woven into its surroundings. Restaurants spill into open-air spaces, the scent of frangipani all around, and you’ll be clinking your glasses to the backdrop of birdsong and the gentle Mauritian south-east coast waves. Most guests seem to be couples in their thirties, plus a handful of solo female travellers (and the odd toddler, but no kids’ clubs in sight). The vibe? Barefoot polish. Hair slicked back in a twisted knot, silky dresses and flip flops was my uniform of choice most evenings.
The team strike a rare balance of warm and intuitive, from the guide who handed out grilled pineapple dressed in chilli and tamarind by the sea (a must-try, by the way) to the super-friendly barman who guided us through an entire flight of local Mauritian-produced rhum (also called rhum agricole), each one poured and explained with the detail of a sommelier at a fine-wine tasting. Local tip: opt for the agricultural rhums in your cocktails to avoid a headache the next day!
We ended our last night with an impromptu jump in the pool, fully dressed, to the cheers of guests at the bar. Honeymoon euphoria is real, and contagious in Mauritius!
Rooms
We stayed in an Ocean View Suite, and it struck the right note of low-key luxe. The colour palette was ivory and sand, with mid-century accents: wicker headboards, woven mats, and floor-to-ceiling windows that stretched across the room and framed the sea like a painting. Waking up to the horizon, sliding onto the balcony with a morning coffee, or clinking glasses at sunset, this suite was made for seriously slow moments you’ll want to savour.
A separate living area with a window seat, bar, and dining table meant you could easily linger in your room all day. The shower? Racing green tiles and bench seating – the sort of space that makes you want to take your time with those after-sun showers. This is the room you want if you’re honeymooning!
Spa
Let’s get one thing straight: the spa here is not a bolt-on amenity, it’s the beating heart of the resort. For me, unwinding is non-negotiable, especially on a long-haul honeymoon, and Anantara’s spa might just be the best I’ve ever experienced.
Our visit began with the Shiro-Dhara Scalp Massage, a warming ritual where sesame oil is streamed across your forehead and followed by a back, neck, and scalp massage. It was both traditional and deliciously indulgent. My husband opted for the 90-minute Calm & Nurturing massage and returned so blissed out that I booked in for it the next day.
From the foot ritual (a blend of peppermint, tamarind salt and coconut milk to cue the nervous system to relax) to the tea ceremony in the garden post-treatment, everything was thoughtfully choreographed. Post-treatment we met each other’s gaze across the garden with matching dazed expressions and agreed: this is what honeymoon nirvana looks like.
Couples can opt for private suites, and the hammam is available to use before or after treatments (without extra cost). Book a treatment early in your stay as you’ll want to return.
Food and drink
The culinary highlight was dinner in Cellar 1884, the resort’s glass-walled wine cellar with floor-to-ceiling bottles and an intimate four-course dinner, curated by the chef and paired by the sommelier. We drank everything from chilled reds to Mauritian fizz to a wild lychee wine, each plate perfectly paired and served without a hint of pretension. It was special, without trying too hard.
Elsewhere, Zafran delivered standout Indian plates and the Designer Dining experience, a private, toes-in-the-sand beachfront dinner was pure cinematic romance. Morning lovers should book the romantic breakfast at Secret Beach: pastries, fresh fruit, pancakes, endless coffee, and coastal calm, all under a creamy parasol on low cushions. Nate turned to me midway through and said, ‘This feels like the opening scene of our second honeymoon’, a line I’ll be quoting forever.
Also worth noting: the poolside chicken wings live rent-free in my head.
The story
Anantara Iko is a relatively new addition to Mauritius’s luxury hotel scene, but it already feels rooted thanks to its setting near Blue Bay Marine Park and a commitment to blending eco-conscious design with Mauritian culture. This isn’t a cookie-cutter resort as everything feels considered, from the architecture to the experiences.
Family-friendly
You won’t find splash zones or kids’ clubs here, and, honestly, that’s part of the appeal. We saw a few toddlers, but this is a property that quietly caters to couples. If you’re honeymooning without children (or want to avoid them), you’re in safe hands.
Eco-friendly
The resort lets nature take the lead and resort paths wind around existing flora and nature rather than mowing it down, while open-air layouts mean minimal impact. Food waste and plastic reduction are in place (though not shouted about), and staff are quick to share local stories and flavours. It feels quietly responsible, not performatively green.
Location
Just 10 minutes from the airport, this was a dream for us weary travellers. Runway views quickly become sugarcane fields and the turquoise waters of Blue Bay in under 20 minutes. We loved that the boat trip to snorkel coral reefs was included, and the scenic walk to Blue Bay with a cheerful guide is a sweet afternoon outing.
A note on the weather: don’t be disheartened if you arrive to clouds. Rainy season in the tropics means rain cloud and showers pass quickly and makes the sun all the more welcome. We had plenty of warm, sunny days and wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Nightly rates at Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas start from £230 per night with breakfast.
To book, visit anantara.com
READ NEXT: Honeymoon Review: Milaidhoo, Maldives
