While most travelers to Mauritius don’t stray too far from the beaches, some may prefer to venture off the beaten path.
Vanilla House, a budget guesthouse in Mauritius that’s part of the Vanilla Village, is the perfect getaway for nature lovers who want to uncover a completely different side of Mauritius!
The guesthouse is situated on the west coast of Mauritius, not too far from the Black River Gorges National Park and Chamarel, home to one of the tallest waterfalls in Mauritius.
With nine air-conditioned suites decorated in a shabby-chic style set in the middle of a tropical garden, a grocery store where you can stock up on fresh and organic produce, a café serving delicious meals prepared only from local ingredients and a cute boutique where you can pick up clothes and handcrafted souvenirs, everything you need is right here at Vanilla Village!
Read my full review of Vanilla House and Vanilla Village if you’re keen to plan a relaxing getaway in Mauritius!
***This article may contain affiliate links, which means that each time you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Note that this article is sponsored by Vanilla Village who kindly invited me to stay at their property, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.
Location of Vanilla House Mauritius
Vanilla House and Vanilla Village are located on the west coast of Mauritius, in the Black River district. It takes about one hour to drive from the airport to the guesthouse.
Although you might feel like you’ve traveled to a remote location, Vanilla Village is actually very close to some of the best attractions in Mauritius.
The pristine white-sand beach of La Preneuse and Martello Tower are only a five minutes’ drive away and Tamarin Beach, a popular surfing spot, is a further five minutes away.
There are also a few restaurants and supermarkets close by, which is very convenient.
If you’re arriving by car, you can take advantage of the free parking facilities. Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, the bus stop is located across the entrance of Vanilla House.
Click here to book your stay at Vanilla House!
Check-in Process
Once you arrive at the premises, you’ll find a spacious parking lot in front of the “Vanilla Grocer” and another one located at the entrance of the Vanilla House suites.
The reception area is found within the “Vanilla Boutik” where we were greeted with a smile by the receptionist. She immediately showed us the way to our room and gave us a little tour.
The Vanilla House suites are nestled within a quiet and lush tropical oasis. With the chirping of birds welcoming you to a relaxing retreat, it’s the kind of place that attracts travelers who want to feel disconnected from it all!
Couples will love the serene and quiet atmosphere while nature lovers will enjoy the feeling of being completely surrounded by a lush green vegetation.
The normal check-in time is at 2 p.m and check-out is at 11 a.m. You can also request early check-in or late check-out depending on availability.
The Room
Mixing modern and shabby-chic elements, each Vanilla House suite is nicely decorated with a few upcycled decor pieces. The rooms are air-conditioned and have either a double bed or two twin beds.
The rooms also feature a seating area with cable television and free Wi-Fi is available. Behind the bed, you’ll find a few shelves and hangers where you can store your belongings.
There’s also a small kitchen equipped with a microwave, electric kettle, mini-fridge and toaster which comes in handy if you want to prepare a quick and easy meal.
Complimentary fruits, water, tea and coffee are available as well. You can also use the safe in the kitchen to store your valuables.
The private bathroom has a stylish and modern look with two sinks, a huge mirror, free toiletries, an overhead and hand shower and a separate toilet.
Finally, each suite has a little private balcony that opens up to the garden with a table and two chairs.
Click here to book your stay at Vanilla House!
The Restaurant and Food
To say that the food at Vanilla Village was delicious would be an understatement! I wish I could eat there every-single-day! The dishes are prepared only from fresh and local ingredients, so you’re guaranteed of the utmost quality!
On my last day, I ordered a breakfast bowl with greek yogurt and homemade granola served with fresh fruits which was so good and filling. I didn’t get hungry again until lunchtime (which is very unusual for me considering that I’m always hungry!).
Breakfast is served every day from 8 a.m to 11 a.m at the Vanilla Café while lunch is served from 11.30 a.m to 3.30 p.m. Even if you’re not staying at Vanilla House, you can still eat at the café for breakfast or lunch.
The café closes at 3.30 p.m but you can order your dinner in advance and use the microwave in the room to heat up your meal.
Facilities
Pool
Besides the suites, you’ll find a pool surrounded by a few lounge chairs, tropical plants and trees. There’s also a beautiful terraced garden with an abundance of colorful flowers. It’s definitely the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring!
There are also some tables and chairs and a barbecue grill is available if you want to set up your very own barbecue party!
Lounge Area and Library
The lounge area at Vanilla Village features an amazing collection of more than 1,000 books. Needless to say, you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Vanilla Grocer
At the Vanilla Grocer, you’ll find everything you need from fresh and organic produce to homemade cakes.
Vanilla Boutik
The Vanilla Boutik offers a wide selection of handcrafted souvenirs, accessories and high-quality clothes produced exclusively by Mauritians.
Kid’s Zone
Whether you’re staying at the Vanilla House or just coming in for lunch, you can leave your children at the Kid’s Zone where they can play with each other. They get access to toys, books and swings while you’re free to enjoy some well-deserved downtime!
Reception
The reception office is located inside the Vanilla Boutik and is open from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. You can easily contact the staff by phone after the normal working hours.
Security
There is a security guard on duty from 6 p.m to 6 a.m.
Things to do near Vanilla House and Village
La Preneuse Beach and Martello Tower (5 minutes drive)
La Preneuse Beach is a small secluded beach that’s perfect for watching the sunset. While you’re there, make sure to visit the Martello Tower. During the British ruling, the tower was used as a fort to protect the country from invaders. It has now been restored into a museum that you can visit for a small fee of Rs 100 (US$ 2.50).
Tamarin Beach (10 minutes drive)
If you’re a keen surfer, Tamarin Beach is the place for you! You can also go in for a swim when the waves aren’t too rough.
Tip: If you looking for the best street food in the area, you’ll find a stall selling the most delicious noodle dishes near the beach entrance!
Black River Gorges National Park (11 minutes drive)
Black River Gorges is the largest and most popular national parks in Mauritius. You’ll find plenty of hiking trails ranging from easy to more strenuous.
Ile aux Benitier and Crystal Rock (11 minutes drive + 30 minutes by slow boat)
Ile aux Benitier is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of La Gaulette Village. The island boasts a beautiful white-sand beach and a sandbank that’s only visible during low tide.
But the most famous attraction is definitely the Crystal Rock which is a large piece of coral rock that seems to be floating on the ocean. Make sure to stop there for a swim to spot some colorful fish!
The cost to hire a private boat to visit both Ile aux Benitier and Crystal Rock starts from Rs 1,500 (US$ 37.80).
Hike Le Morne Brabant Mountain (20 minutes drive)
Previously used as a refuge for runaway slaves, Le Morne Brabant was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. The hike to Le Morne does require a moderate level of fitness since you’ll have to scramble over rocks and boulders towards the summit. But it’s still one of the best hikes in Mauritius and the views at the top are absolutely incredible!
Le Morne Beach (17 minutes drive)
A soft white sand beach perfect for relaxing after hiking Le Morne Brabant.
Chamarel Waterfall (23 minutes drive)
Chamarel Waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls in Mauritius that plunges from a height of nearly 100 meters! There are two viewing platforms near the parking lot and you can also hike down to the base of the waterfall.
How to book your stay at Vanilla House?
I had an incredible weekend at Vanilla House and Vanilla Village and I highly recommend you stay there for your next trip to Mauritius! To book your stay, head over to Vanilla House website, or if you prefer, you can book through booking.com.
Book Now on: reservation@vanillavillage.mu ; +230 483 6778
Click here to book your stay at Vanilla House through booking.com
Need help to plan your trip to Mauritius? Check out these posts:
- A local’s guide to 32 things to do in Mauritius
- 25 beaches in Mauritius you absolutely need to visit
- 20 spectacular hiking trails in Mauritius
- Complete guide to visiting Black River National Park
- Port Louis travel guide
- The most delicious street food in Mauritius
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4 comments
Looks like a fabolous place to stay. Having your own kitchen comes in handy. The island of Mauritius looks so beautiful.
Yes, especially when you’re trying to save money by not eating out every day. I hope to see you visit this beautiful island very soon 🙂
Wow this looks incredible! It’s so wonderful to know that there are more affordable options in such a bucket list destination that seems out of reach. Looks like a perfect trip.
Thank you for reading 🙂 Mauritius isn’t really an expensive destination – there’s actually lots to do for very cheap or even for free!