One&Only Le Saint Géran Mauritius Review
“ Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”
If you've started looking into luxury hotels in Mauritius, chances are you've already come across One&Only Le Saint Géran. It's one of those hotels that seems to appear on almost every list of the island's best resorts, and after opening back in 1975, it's built a reputation as one of Mauritius' most iconic luxury stays. Following an extensive renovation in 2017, it combines that long history with a much more modern look while keeping the service and atmosphere it's always been known for.
During my trip to Mauritius, I stayed at several of the island's luxury resorts, so I was really curious to see whether One&Only Le Saint Géran would end up being my favorite. With its private peninsula, calm lagoon, and beautiful beach, it certainly looks the part. But after all the glowing reviews and recommendations I'd read before my trip, the real question was whether it would actually live up to the hype.
In this review, I'll walk you through my entire stay, from the room and restaurants to the beach, pools, and everything in between, so you can decide whether One&Only Le Saint Géran is the right hotel for your trip to Mauritius.
Here we go! Let’s determine if staying here is worth it while we cover all aspects of the hotel, from the rooms to the location:
The Location
One&Only Le Saint Géran is located on the northeast coast of Mauritius, an area locals will often tell you is home to some of the island's best beaches. When people think of Mauritius, this is probably what comes to mind: white sand, crystal-clear water, palm trees, and calm lagoons. Compared to other parts of the island, this area also tends to be a little less windy, making it a great place if you plan to spend most of your days on the beach. Because the resort sits on the northeastern tip of the island, it's also one of the longer transfers from the airport, so it's worth keeping that in mind when planning your trip.
Unlike some of the other luxury hotels in Mauritius, such as Shangri-La Le Touessrok, One&Only Le Saint Géran has a completely different setting. Shangri-La is surrounded by beautiful coves and a more rugged coastline, whereas One&Only sits directly on one of the island's classic white-sand beaches.
One thing I really liked about the location is that the beach isn't the only thing you see. Turn away from the ocean and you're surrounded by palm trees and tropical plants again. It makes the whole resort feel much more like an island than a hotel built next to the beach. The resort also isn't particularly large, so you can walk everywhere without needing a buggy. It's easy to walk from your room to the beach, the restaurants, or the pool.
The Rooms
One&Only Le Saint Géran has a range of rooms to choose from, depending on what kind of vibe you're going for. There are garden rooms if you want a peaceful, private space surrounded by lush greenery. If you'd rather be close to the water, the oceanview rooms give you those gorgeous sea views. For something a little extra, the suites offer tons of space, and some even come with private pools.
I stayed in one of the beachfront rooms; honestly, it was everything you’d want for a relaxing stay. The rooms are spacious, filled with light, and comfortable. The best part? There’s a small patio right by the beach, which is perfect for sipping coffee in the morning or enjoying a glass of wine in the evening while watching the waves.
Just a heads-up, privacy isn’t the strongest feature in these beachfront rooms. Since they’re right on the beach, you’ll get some foot traffic as people walk by, so it’s not the most secluded spot. But if you don’t mind a little stroll by, the location and views are beautiful.
The Restaurant
There are several restaurants at One&Only Le Saint Géran, ranging from Mediterranean cuisine to steak and seafood. Tapasake was the restaurant I was most curious about. When we were looking at where to eat on our first evening, we spotted the name and thought, hang on... why does this sound familiar? Turns out, we'd already eaten at Tapasake during our stay at One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro. That's also when we found out Tapasake is actually one of One&Only's signature restaurant concepts. We decided to give it a try and see if it would be just as good as we remembered. Just like in Montenegro, the menu combines Japanese dishes with Mediterranean influences, and it definitely lived up to our previous experience.
La Pointe serves Mediterranean dishes right by the beach, while Prime focuses on steak and seafood. The Plantation is where you'll have breakfast, but it's also open for lunch and dinner, with live entertainment in the evenings.
Now, I'll be honest: if you're not a big eater like me, the buffet at The Plantation might feel a bit much. It's around $100 per person (excluding drinks), and while the selection is huge, I personally didn't think the quality quite matched the price. So if you're looking for something more flavorful and exciting, Tapasake and La Pointe are definitely worth checking out.
The Amenities
There are multiple pools spread throughout the resort, so you can easily switch things up depending on the kind of day you're after. We spent one afternoon by the main pool overlooking the beach, where it was easy to move between the pool, the beach, and the ocean. The next day, we did the complete opposite and headed to the spa pool instead.
Because it's part of the spa, you won't find any children there, and it's surrounded by trees, making it feel much more secluded than the main pool. I actually really liked having both options. One day we felt like spending the afternoon by the beach, while the next we just wanted somewhere a little quieter. If you have the time, I'd definitely recommend trying both.
If you're looking to venture out and explore more of Mauritius, the hotel can also arrange a range of excursions. We ended up booking a tour of the north of the island, which included stops in Port Louis and Grand Baie. If you're wondering which places are worth visiting during your trip, make sure to check out my Mauritius travel guide.
Of course, if you'd rather stay at the resort, there's plenty to do as well. You can book water sports, play a round of golf, work out in the fitness center, or spend a few hours at the spa.
The Verdict
So, would I stay at One&Only Le Saint Géran again? Without a doubt. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with a glass of champagne, a small touch but one that immediately makes you feel welcome. You also get a personal host assigned to you who you can contact on WhatsApp throughout your stay, whether you need help booking a restaurant, arranging an excursion, or anything else.
We actually ended up using that service in a way we definitely hadn't planned. We accidentally locked ourselves out on our terrace after closing the patio door a little too enthusiastically. To be fair, they did warn us about this during check-in, but somehow we still managed to do it. One quick WhatsApp message later, our host was there within minutes to rescue us. Slightly embarrassing? Yes. But it also showed just how useful having a dedicated host can be.
During one of the excursions, I also learned that One&Only has the most extensive hospitality training on the island, and honestly, I believe it. Every interaction we had felt warm, professional, and genuinely helpful. That's something I didn't experience at every luxury resort in Mauritius. Want to know which ones? Check out my complete Mauritius luxury hotel guide.
If I had to change anything, it would be the lack of privacy in the beachfront rooms. People walk past your terrace throughout the day, and I did find that a little distracting. If I came back, I'd probably choose one of the more secluded room categories instead. As for the food, I wouldn't book the buffet dinner at The Plantation again. I'd much rather spend that budget at Tapasake or La Pointe instead.
Other than that, I completely understand why One&Only Le Saint Géran is considered one of the best luxury hotels in Mauritius, and it's a hotel I'd happily return to.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions. Happy Travels!
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