Constance Prince Maurice feels like it's in the middle of nowhere -- and that's the point. Built far enough away from any distractions (aside from two nearby 18-hole golf courses), this contemporary luxury resort caters to couples, families, and golf lovers. Aside from a beautiful beachfront, there are several lovely pools (including a large beachfront infinity pool), an Asian-themed wellness center with hydrotherapy and yoga, and an on-site putting green (plus guests have access to two of the island's best courses). The luxurious suites feature stylish decor, high-tech amenities like Apple Mac minis, and private outdoor space -- some of the villas have private pools.

The five-pearl, adult-only Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel is in a class of its own. The hotel's sheltered location on a cove, graceful colonial-style architecture and decor, and well-cared-for gardens, combined with a pin-drop quiet atmosphere and courteous service, spell out the hotel's singularity. All 67 of its beautifully appointed rooms and suites have views of the hotel's private cove and sandy beach. The most coveted activity at the hotel is posting up for the afternoon in one the palapa-covered nooks on the hotel's private peninsula, which also has a stunning infinity pool, a beach restaurant/bar, and a boathouse with free water sports. On land, there are daily activities, like yoga and bike tours; an open-air spa; and three classy restaurants and a lounge with evening music. However, Paradise Cove lacks the golf facilities found at Constance Prince Maurice.

When it comes to swanky, adult-only boutique resorts, 20 Degres Sud Hotel is the only northern Mauritius property that can compare to Paradise Cove. This hotel's 36 one-of-a-kind rooms look and feel straight out of a graceful colonial-era bungalow. All have bathrooms with separate showers and claw-foot bathtubs, and most have outdoor showers or tubs, as well. In addition to dining at the elegant on-site restaurant, guests can experience nightly three-course dinner cruises on the hotel's beautifully restored 1929 boat. There are also pool and beach bars, as well as a small spa with a treehouse feel and a 25-person steam room. The property's beach areas are small and less secluded than Paradise Cove's, but they nonetheless peaceful and picturesque, with free water sports and beautiful views of the water (where the bay and Indian Ocean meet).

Geared toward young (or young-at-heart) couples, this elegant 21-room hotel has a hip atmosphere and sleek, minimalist interiors designed by interior architect and designer Albert Angel. Contemporary and chic rooms feature mini-fridges, coffee and tea facilities, and rainfall showers. All rooms have balconies, but some only have views of the road, not the ocean. Traditionalists will likely far prefer the colonial-inspired elegance of 20 Degres' rooms to the stark modern decor of Baystone's. The hotel's standout feature is its gourmet restaurant, which serves elevated plates inspired by local flavors. Breakfast is free and served on an outdoor terrace overlooking the bay. For dinner, guests have a choice of daily specials, meal packages, and the Chef’s table d’hote. There's also a swanky bar inside that serves up hip cocktails and wines. Baystone is a chic home base for travelers wanting to see the island, but those wanting to relax on-site will probably find the pool and beach disappointingly small.

Occupying a pretty beachfront spot on Mauritius' green east coast, Tropical Attitude is a romantic boutique all-inclusive catering to adults. Fresh from a 2017 renovation, the hotel's restaurant, pool bar, and 60 rooms all feature a trendy, contemporary look. The beach-chic style in the rooms includes cane screens, basketry-topped benches, strings of seashells in lieu of doors, and gauzy canopies over the beds. All rooms come with free coffee and tea, minibars (free for all-inclusive guests), and open bathrooms with rainfall showers -- but arguably their best feature is the straight-on lagoon views from every room's patio or balcony. Tropical's narrow and pretty beach is a big draw, but the sand disappears at high tide and, unlike most beach hotels, there isn't a full list of water sports available. To counter these drawbacks, Tropical offers free daily boat rides to the beautiful Ile aux Cerfs. In addition to this, guests can take free glass-bottom boat trips into the lagoon, where they can snorkel and explore the ocean floor. Note that while 20 Degres and Baystone are central to Grand Baie, Tropical's east-coast location means its far from big island attractions.

Handsome Moorish architecture and interior design are on display throughout Le Palmeraie, from the serene riad-style fountain courtyard to slim arched doorways offering a tantalizing peek at the aqua ocean outside. In the 60 rooms, decorative items like bright silk bed runners, shimmery suspended canopies, metal filigree lamps, and mosaic tile floors all channel North African style. The small La Palmeraie isn't stuffed with features, but its on-site offerings, like a two-story spa and a pavilion-like restaurant by the pool, have plenty of appeal. The hotel's greatest feature is its beach, which has what feels like two separate areas due to the peninsular geography. A boathouse provides all non-motorized sports (like pedal boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards) for free, and motorized ones for a fee.

The intimate and breezy Friday Attitude appeals to families and couples searching for a Mauritian beach getaway with a splash of style. The modern beachfront boutique has 50 peppy, pleasant rooms with chic open bathrooms. Though Friday is a small property, its features list checks just about all of the boxes: It has a beach restaurant that serves all meals (dinners rotate between buffets and table d'hotes), two bars, a spa, and a pool with a dedicated kids' section. Speaking of kids, Friday's supervised kids' club is free and right on the beach. It all adds up to a very appealing boutique package, but some travelers might prefer La Palmeraie's sophisticated decor and distinct beach areas.

The mid-range Coin de Mire Attitude is a serene and affordable mid-range hotel, across the road from a lovely beach with clear views of Coin de Mire island. Set in a beautiful walled garden, the property has two pools, a poolside bar, and an open, airy buffet restaurant that serves all meals. Its 102 rooms are split in style between dated Superior Rooms and the sleeker Deluxe and Deluxe Family Rooms, but all units have minibars, safes, and nicely furnished balconies or terraces. Travelers looking for a truly beachfront property will be happier at La Palmeraie or Friday Attitude.

The mid-range Emeraude Beach Attitude is a low-key resort across the street from beautiful Belle Mare Beach (its sister resorts Tropical and Friday are directly on the beach). All 61 rooms have a cute, retro-beachy style, and amenities like air-conditioning, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. There's an attractive restaurant that serves buffet breakfast and lunch, and alternates between buffet-style and a la carte dinners; breakfast-only, half-board, and all-inclusive rates are available. Next to the restaurant is a sand-bottomed bar and two pools, and guests can cross the street to claim one of Emeraude's dedicated beach loungers, though there are no hotel kayaks, canoes, or other water sports available.

With its spectacular beachfront location, chic minimalist style, and intimate atmosphere, this 70-room adult-only hotel is an excellent boutique option in northwest Mauritius. Features are limited to two beach restaurants, a small spa, and a sea-facing bar. About half of the rooms face the water, too, and all have minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and balconies or terraces. Downsides here are that rooms can be buggy and mattresses could use replacing. But for the location, style, and price, it's hard to do better than the very romantic, very remote-feeling Recif.

The colonial-style Le Sakoa stands out in Trou aux Biches for its extreme intimacy. Many similar upper-middle-range hotels in the area are considerably larger than the 16-room Le Sakoa, and those that are small-scale tend to be more mid-range. All of Le Sakoa's rooms have kitchenettes -- unusual features for Mauritius beach resorts -- as well as 40-inch flat-screen TVs, and balconies or terraces. The hotel's restaurant, bar, and small pool all face the gorgeous lagoon beach, where water sports like kayaking and snorkeling are available. While Le Sakoa has plenty of appeal, couples might prefer the all-inclusive Recif Attitude, which is a few minutes down the coastal road and has a bigger spa (Le Sakoa's is just an open-by-appointment massage room), a toes-in-the-sand beach restaurant, and an adult-only policy.