Winter sun retreats: From Mauritius to Mozambique

The Big Six

Aoife O'Riordain
Friday 15 January 2016 12:46 GMT
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Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius
Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius

Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius

This Indian Ocean island has an abundance of luxurious places to stay, but the one with the most lusted-after location is Le Touessrok, cradled in its own bay on the south-eastern coast. In December, it emerged from a total revamp at the hands of Asian hotel chain Shangri-La, with a makeover of its 200 rooms, restaurants, bars, children's club and new Chi Spa. There are not one but two private islands off the shore: Ilot Mangenie, for those Robinson Crusoe moments; and Ile aux Cerfs, which has a Bernhard Langer-designed 18-hole golf course.

Coastal Road, Trou d'Eau Douce Mar (00 230 422 7400: shangri-la.com). Doubles from €485 per night, B&B.

Faena Hotel Miami Beach, United States

Faena Hotel Miami Beach, United States

Why just open a new hotel when you can create a whole new district? Faena Hotel Miami Beach is the first part of the Faena District, an ambitious arts and cultural quarter created in Miami's heart by impresario Alan Faena and entrepreneur and philanthropist Len Blavatnik. It's set in the former Saxony Hotel overlooking Miami Beach, and the 1950s-style decor is the creation of film director Baz Luhrmann and wife Catherine Martin.

3201 Collins Avenue, Faena District, Miami, Florida (001 305 535 4697; faena.com). Doubles from $840 (£560), room-only.

Zaya Nurai, Abu Dhabi

Zaya Nurai, Abu Dhabi

You'd be forgiven for thinking that luxury resorts in the Middle East are all glitzy chains. But the Zaya Nurai, which opened last year on its own private island 15 miles off Abu Dhabi, bucks the trend. Dreamt up by Emirati property developer Nadia Zaal, it has a pared-back look, rather than over-the-top opulence. Zaal employed Parisian architectural firm AW2 and New York design firm Dyor to realise the concept, which is reminiscent of the Maldives or Seychelles, with 32 sprawling villas gazing out over the Arabian Sea.

Zaya Nurai, Abu Dhabi (00 971 250 662 22; zayanuraiisland.com). Doubles from £386 per night, room only.

Tri Lanka, Sri Lanka

Tri Lanka, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's newest boutique bolt-hole was a real labour of love for husband and wife owners, photographer Robert Drummond and Lara Baumann, founder of Quantum Yoga. It is tucked amid lush vegetation on Koggala Lake, near Galle and care has been taken to ensure the 11 rooms and suites have environmental credibility; there are living roofs, solar power, local materials, recycled wood and a farm-to-fork ethos in dining. At the centre is a cinnamon wood water tower housing three suites, all with 360-degree views.

Tri Lanka, Koggala Lake, Galle (00 94 777 708 177; trilanka.com). Doubles from US$250 (£167) per night, full board.

&Beyond Benguerra Island, Mozambique

&Beyond Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Mozambique's jaw-dropping Indian Ocean-fringed coast is shaping up to be one of the hottest destinations of 2016. Last year's reopening of &Beyond Benguerra Island, in the Bazaruto Archipelago, followed a major revamp; guests in the resort's 15 casitas have direct beach access and one of the world's most pristine coral reefs to explore, as well as castaway picnics. And wildlife-watchers will be right at home; the five islands form a National Park that's home to more than 140 species of bird.

&Beyond Benguerra Island, Bazaruto Archipelago (00 27 11 452 0641; andbeyond.com). Doubles from £780, full board.

Alila Seminyak, Bali

Alila Seminyak, Bali

Seminyak has emerged as one of Bali's buzziest, most fashionable beach haunts. Alila Seminyak sits overlooking a broad expanse of sand with the Indian Ocean beyond. All 240 rooms sport Alila's signature unfussy style with neutral hues and clean lines. The hotel was built to rigorous, sustainable standards laid down by EarthCheck and its lush, terraced gardens contain five pools. There's a spa and free bikes, and it's a short walk into Seminyak.

JL Taman Ganesha 5, Petitenget Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta (00 62 361 3021 888; alila.com). Doubles from US$265 (£177), room only.

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