I recently stayed at the Solana Beach Resort during my trip to Mauritius and wanted to share a balanced look at the highlights and a couple of unexpected drawbacks of my stay.
The Highlights: Comfort & Tranquility
The Room: We stayed in the Junior Suite Sea View, and it did not disappoint. The room was incredibly spacious, clean, and came equipped with all the amenities we needed for a comfortable stay. Wake up to the sea view was a major plus.
Location: Situated near Belle Mare on the eastern coast of Mauritius, the resort is in a very calm, quiet, and peaceful area. If you are looking to disconnect and relax, this location is ideal.
Activities & Amenities: The resort has its own spa and offers fantastic sea excursions right from the property. We thoroughly enjoyed the complimentary water activities, including the glass-bottom boat, snorkeling, and paddle boating.
The Food & Restaurants: The dining options were a definite highlight of our stay. The main restaurant, Cinnamon, serves an overall good buffet for both breakfast and dinner, featuring a great variety of multiple cuisines including Mauritian, Indian, and Western dishes. Additionally, the resort features another on-property restaurant focused on fine dining that serves excellent Italian cuisine.
The Drawbacks:
Isolation & Nickle-and-Diming
Quiet Nights: Because the resort is far from the main city centers, there is absolutely no local market or nightlife/entertainment nearby. Once the sun goes down, the property becomes very silent. This is perfect for couples or relaxation, but worth noting if you prefer a bit of evening energy.
The Water Policy (A Major Disappointment): This was the biggest letdown of our stay. The resort provides 2 complimentary bottles of water daily, but charges for any extra bottles you need in the room. Worse yet, water is chargeable during dinner. Having traveled to almost 40+ countries, this is the very first time I have ever encountered a resort charging for standard table water during a dinner service. For a resort of this caliber, charging for basic drinking water feels incredibly cheap and dampens the overall guest experience.