How to choose accommodation
Mauritius
How to choose accommodation in Mauritius
Most people heading to Mauritius will prefer a hotel to private accommodation. On the one hand, they want to enjoy the hotel's services, and on the other hand, they are afraid in a way (language barrier, unfamiliar environment, etc.). We use AirBnB services all over the world, and in the long run, the hotel is not really worth it.
What to look out for when choosing accommodation in Mauritius?
LOCATION
Think about which part you want to live in. If you want to get to know the whole island, we recommend choosing at least two accommodations (west coast and north). It doesn't seem like it, but the drive from the north of the island to Le Morne will take you almost two hours. And what are our top places to live? For us, definitely the west coast and the north - mainly because of maturity and civic amenities. More about individual places in a separate article here.
EQUIPMENT
Always take an accommodation with air conditioning. So it's true that air conditioning is not needed in the Mauritian winter, but it can help you with humidity. You can't make it without air conditioning during the summer. Also, choose accommodation with storage space, so you don't have things in your suitcases all the time. Attention - don't forget to take adapters for sockets, in most accommodation you will find English-type sockets.
Another thing that may not be important to everyone, but if you need reliable internet for work or play, is fast Wi-Fi. However, this may not be a matter of course at every accommodation, so it is advisable to always check this information. The alternative is fast cellular connection from e.g. Emtel, but even in this case there may not be good coverage everywhere. Here is a coverage map where you can check. More information about cellular connection in Mauritius will be in a separate article.
SURROUNDINGS
If you want to be in Mauritius for a longer period of time, don't forget to look at the maps of the surroundings: how far is the beach, where is the nearest shop and supermarket, are there restaurants nearby or where is the nearest medical care. Of course, if your children will attend school and kindergarten here, take the distance to the educational facilities into account.
CLEANLINESS
This point interests almost all travelers on their own. Mauritius is in the African region, but it is really trying to push the quality of services to developed countries. However, we're in the tropics, so you're just going to encounter the vermin that live here to some extent. You will meet cockroaches in cities and in accommodation. How to fight against it? You can buy exterminating sprays in all major stores. Keep the accommodation clean and free of food residues. In a residential area expect ants. Nocturnal and diurnal geckos will keep you company everywhere. Apart from excrement everywhere around the house, they are rather welcome companions, especially for children. Last but not least, mosquitoes will make your life unpleasant (feel free to bring repellent at the beginning, but you will still be forced to buy some locally and ideally also for the socket). However, the best defense against mosquitoes in accommodation is nets for the windows, which some accommodation has.
Mauritius is a true paradise and not only for vacations. You just have to give it a chance and adapt to local life. Then you'll love it as much as we do.