Best Indian Ocean hotels | Telegraph Travel

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An expert guide to the top Indian Ocean hotels, including the best for overwater villas, white sand beaches, open-air cinemas, coral reef diving, botanical gardens and watersports, in locations including the Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

Maldives

The Maldives are the most beautiful small islands on Earth. They are safe; there are no hawkers selling sarongs and taxi tours and, unless you seek them out, no distractions. There is no agriculture and no industry and the turquoise lagoons are crystal clear. Strange to think that the idyllic Maldives have only been a holiday destination for 40 years or so. The Maldives are made up of 26 coral atolls in a chain reaching down to cross the equator. Within those 26 atolls are roughly 1,200 islands and of these around 200 are inhabited and 100 are resorts.

Where to stay in the Maldives

The original barefoot Maldives retreat. Soneva Fushi is a “no news, no shoes” eco-chic jungle hideaway with Robinson Crusoe-style villas dotted along the blindingly white shore, a stellar spa, open-air cinema, world-class kids’ club and your-wish-is-their-command butler service.Read expert reviewFrom£1,572 The remote Fairmont Maldives offers a blissful blend of creamy white beaches and lush forest reaching out into untouched ocean. This chic resort is now home to the first coral regeneration project of its kind, as well as the longest infinity pool in the Maldives, and offers attention to detail without pretension.Read expert reviewFrom£602 Miami meets the Maldives at this ultra-modern, playful resort featuring whitewashed penthouse villas with rooftop decks and private infinity pools; trendy eateries and lounges with live DJs and underwater aquariums; glass-enclosed over-water spa; private sandbank for picnics and parties; and more.Read expert reviewFrom£1,107

Mauritius

The tropical island of Mauritius, once a haunt for pirates, is now best known for luxury hotels on white sand beaches with volcanic mountain backdrops. It is an island for exploring, with Indian temples, colonial houses, botanical gardens, and opportunities to spot rare birds among soaring ebony trees, walk with lions or swim with dolphins. Mauritians, a fusion of French, Indian, Creole and Chinese peoples, are renowned for their hospitality and visitors to the islands generally rave about the service.

Where to stay in Mauritius

This spacious yet intimate six-star hideaway on a leafy, east-coast peninsula is named after Prince Maurice Van Nassau, pioneer of the spice trade in the Indian Ocean. The rich, warm character of regional flavours and spices permeates the hotel's cool, colonial architecture, and its fusion cuisine.Read expert reviewFrom£266 The grand dame of Mauritius hotels is a style icon, set on a private peninsula and offering legendary service. The resort is named after the ship Le Saint Géran, which sank off the coast giving rise to the legend of Paul and Virginie, Mauritius’s answer to Romeo and Juliet.Read expert reviewFrom£749 A beautifully formed basalt beachfront retreat with luxury pavilions and private pool villas set in tropical gardens on Turtle Bay. It's one of the island's most romantic hotels, with mountain views, gourmet restaurants, a holistic spa and top-notch service.Read expert reviewFrom£498 This cosy and refined thatched five star nicknamed ‘Royal Calm’ sits on Grand Sable, a heavenly ivory sand cove in Grand Baie. It's a Leading Hotel of the World, with a focus on relaxing by the beach (a bevy of uniformed staff in attendance), lingering lunches at Le Bar Plage, and unwinding at the spa.Read expert reviewFrom£688

Seychelles

Scattered across the Indian Ocean like a trail of crumbs, the 115 islands of the Seychelles are not paradise – they are far more interesting. The Seychelles can deliver the tropical romantic ideal, often to a stupendous degree, but it is not a destination where you should expect to fly in and find heaven waiting in the arrivals hall. It comes only to those who find the right hotel at the right time, depending whether you want to dive, fish, sail or watch birds or turtles – or just walk along the beach holding hands.

Where to stay in the Seychelles

The 16 villas here are conventionally luxurious inside, yet not private-island pristine outside, but that makes it all the more special: what could be more memorable than lying on grass next to one of the 2,200 Aldabra giant tortoises that roam free on the island?Read expert reviewFrom£3,529 This five-star bigwig opened in 2009, but is still topping the award charts as one of the 50 most luxurious hotels in the world. It’s hardly surprising given the superlative setting of its 67 private villas and 27 residences around the picture-perfect bay of Petite Anse.Read expert reviewFrom£805 This beautiful boutique guesthouse perched at the water’s edge, with gorgeous views of Praslin, punches well above its weight with a stylish nautical vibe, seven luxurious rooms and friendly owners who’ll help you craft a super fun stay on the Seychelles' most laid-back island.Read expert reviewFrom£254 Set beneath the mysterious peak of Mont Dauban, the resort stares across the glimmering Indian Ocean towards the island of Mahé. Flying foxes glide above the palm-fringed beach at sunset and the island feels like a private kingdom.Read expert reviewFrom£336

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is incredibly diverse, offering everything from beaches, colonial architecture, temples, mountains, history, watersports and trekking. As well as being a family-friendly destination, the island is home to an abundance of wildlife; highlights include blue and sperm whales, leopards, elephants and sloth bears. Thanks to two opposing coastal monsoons, Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with plenty of sunshine and consistently high temperatures, though a cooler climate prevails in the hills.

Where to stay in Sri Lanka

Set in spacious gardens, just inland from Galle's palm-studded coastline, Why House is one of those rare hotels that suits couples and families alike. It's also a favourite with returning guests charmed by its accommodating staff, tranquility and home-from-home vibe.Read expert reviewFrom£260 A standout 25-villa hotel, immersed within 58 acres of wildlife-rich private grounds centred around a century-old manor house. It’s best for exploring Anuradhapura’s ancient ruins, rural villages and lakes though is within easy reach of all Cultural Triangle sights.Read expert reviewFrom£239 An elevated headland with fine ocean views sets the scene for this enigmatic resort home to stylish, well-equipped and spacious villas and suites. The resort's food, staffing and leisure facilities are all superb.Read expert reviewFrom£253

Tanzania

Of all the countries in Africa, Tanzania is one of the most popular with tourists – in large part because of its diversity. It is enormous, from the peak of its highest mountain (Kilimanjaro) to the depths of Africa’s deepest lake (Tanganyika), from the wilds of its biggest park (Selous) to the floor of the world’s largest unbroken caldera. In addition, the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s most photographed spots: a volcanic caldera covering more than 100sq miles. Thousands of creatures roam here, from packs of hyena and prides of lion to pairs of endangered rhino. It’s easy to see why some half a million tourists visit a year.

Where to stay in Tanzania

Zanzibar’s original eco-chic beach lodge with 12 vibrantly furnished guest villas and two pools perched on a coral rag cliff. Just opposite is the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation area which is home to nesting green turtles and more than 600 species of coral reef fish.Read expert reviewFrom£331 Deep in the heart of what was once just bush and mangroves, The Residence Zanzibar is a tropical site to behold. With a fish tank-like infinity pool that pours into the Indian Ocean and palatial villas decked out in local furniture, guests will experience a true African hideaway in total luxury.Read expert reviewVillas from£342 &Beyond Mnemba Island is a luxury Tanzania hotel offering elegant interiors, excellent service, rooms with sea views and private verandas, a watersports centre, spa and restaurant, on Mnemba Island, near Zanzibar.Read expert reviewFrom£620 Life’s made easy at this secluded retreat, from beach time and dhow cruises to scuba diving pristine, colourful, fish-filled sites. There’s a seafood-heavy menu, spacious, safari-style tents and thatched buildings decorated with African crafts, a sunset-facing pier bar and a far-away-from-it-all ambience.Read expert reviewFrom£276

Compiled by Emma Boyle, Lee Cobaj, Nicki Grihault, Paula Hardy & Sue Watt