Island celebration: A Lux-urious escape to Mauritius  

Seated beneath the shade of a thatched parasol, my feet sinking into the sand, the words of Sanjana coincide with the gentle waves of the Indian Ocean rolling on and off the beach. “Breathe in. And breathe out. Breathe in and out.”

We’re checking into Salt of Palmar on the island of Mauritius and the two-minute meditative ritual is part of the welcome. The idea is that guests leave all their tension at the door and relax completely during their stay.

In fairness, it’s not a difficult ask. I know this is somewhere special when I arrive at the property and am handed a welcome drink of pineapple, honey, chilli and, of course, salt. Akash greets me as if I’m a long-lost friend and, with a few taps on his iPad, I’m all checked in.

I’m led up the stairs (there’s no lift in the hotel) to my Bang on Beach room, where I’m greeted by a view that looks as if it’s been Photoshopped. Chilled jazz is playing from the Roberts radio. The softest of bath robes made from coffee grounds hangs in the wardrobe alongside a pair of flip-flops that are the source of a sweet fragrance, having been fashioned from cinnamon bark. A yoga mat ensures that I’m all set for early-morning stretching and my complimentary snacks consist of crispy coconut chips and chunks of fresh pineapple.

Unique offering

This is no ordinary hotel; in fact, it’s somewhat of an anomaly. For one, it’s smaller than most in Mauritius and describes itself as a boutique property, with only 59 rooms. Second, it’s for adults only – a rarity here.

And let’s not forget the design – in fact, it’s impossible to ignore. Salt of Palmar screams colour: bold blackand white stripes contrast with blocks of vivid orange, electric blue and yellow. Although it belongs to The Lux Collective, the Salt brand is also a member of Design Hotels – and it’s easy to see why.

But it’s not just the bold aesthetic that’s different, it’s the ethos. Central to this is Salt’s connection with the community. Wherever possible, the hotel uses local suppliers – or ‘Salt Shakers’ as they are affectionately called – and each vendor is known by name. Bibi and Asok provide seasonal fruit; Kishor the fisherman supplies the catch of the day; and Reotee weaves recycled plastics used to create the colourful beach bags that clients will find in their rooms.

Guests are positively encouraged to go and meet the Shakers themselves. The lack of minibars or TVs in the rooms is a mindful nudge in this direction, along with a Salt-produced guidebook listing the best local bars, restaurants and tours across Mauritius.