Where to stay in Mauritius: SALT of Palmar, the eco-luxury boutique hotel changing the game

Where to stay in Mauritius? Looking for a stay that feels good and does good? SALT of Palmar is our top pick for a holiday that nourishes both you and the planet.

Jump to

• Rooms and Design
• Food and Drink
• Wellness and Spa
• Activities and Experiences
• Sustainability Features
• Location and Getting There
• Overall rating

Why SALT of Palmar is the best place to stay in Mauritius

Imagine you’re visiting a dear friend who happens to own a luxurious beachfront home. The moment you step through the main doors, the atmosphere of SALT greets you like a warm embrace… The sea-salt breeze carries the scent of Mauritian spices, freshly baked bread, and sun lotion on tanned skin. Somewhere nearby, laughter drifts across the courtyard from the bar, and the soothing notes of the spa’s essential oils linger in the air.

The hospitality team welcome you home.

On Mauritius’s tranquil east coast, the apricot-hued turrets of SALT of Palmar rise between two coves, their cube-like forms entwined with palms. Here, the sea laps gently at the shore, and time seems to slow – an eco-luxury hideaway where you can feel the rhythm of island life from the moment you arrive. 

This is a place that invites you to slow down, to swap the usual five-star excess for something altogether more meaningful. Here, luxury isn’t about marble lobbies or grand gestures, but about connection: to people, to place, and to purpose.

Rooms and Design

The ambience of SALT of Palmar feels like a modern Mediterranean palace, where Mauritian soul meets Mediterranean serenity. Originally designed in the style of a Moroccan riad, the building was later refreshed by Mauritius-born architect Jean-François Adam, who added a distinctly local touch that celebrates island living.

To reflect the stunning architecture SALT invited French multi-disciplinary designer Camille Walala to breathe life into its interiors. Camille poured the island’s landscape into SALT’s colour palette, taking inspiration from the cobalt blue of the sea, the warm apricot sands, and the lush greens of tropical flora. She then blended these natural hues with her signature bold shapes and colours. As a result, the interiors burst with a joyful, reimagined Mauritian spirit.

This sense of place continues into each of the boutique hotel’s 59 rooms, though softened to match the tranquil rhythm of the sea. There are no TVs – instead, you’ll find books, homemade snacks, locally sourced drinks, and dreamy SALT spa products.

Room Highlights

• 95% naturally derived materials
  
• Environmentally friendly amenities: 98% natural bathroom products, 100% natural body scrub
  
• Packaging made from limestone paper and cornstarch
  
• 100% organic linen and cotton robes
  
• Locally crafted beach bags made from recycled plastics
  
• A reusable aluminium water bottle, refillable at fruit- and herb-infused water stations
  

💡 Insider Tip: Make the most of the complimentary spa goodies – the SALT scrub and hair mask were our favourites.

For ultimate bliss, opt for a ‘Bang on the Beach’ room, where you’ll fall asleep to the sound of waves and wake up to a pastel sunrise spilling through your window.

Moreover, the beds score a solid 10/10 for comfort, each fitted with a custom Carpe Diem mattress designed by a Swedish chiropractor – the kind of bed that makes you consider missing breakfast.

Food and Drink

Dining at SALT is at the heart of the experience – thoughtful, flavourful, and rooted in sustainability.

To support their zero food waste mission, all meals are served à la carte, rather than buffet-style. Every dish is freshly prepared, celebrating seasonal produce and local farmers.

Breakfast begins at the bakery, where you can help yourself to freshly baked bread and pastries before choosing two dishes from the à la carte menu – think vibrant açaí bowls, breakfast boards, or eggs any way you like.

Almost everything on the menu is both indulgent and guilt-free, thanks to SALT’s biofarming practices and sustainable sourcing. They don’t serve beef, as none is locally farmed in Mauritius – a simple but powerful way to maintain a smaller carbon footprint.

Nothing goes to waste: untouched pastries go to staff or local farms, while food scraps are composted in the hotel’s herb garden. In turn, those same herbs return to your plate – completing the circle beautifully.

Up on the rooftop bar, sunsets come with handcrafted cocktails (and delicious alcohol-free options), along with snacks that pair perfectly with golden-hour views over Palmar Beach.

Tek Tek Restaurant

An intimate dining experience (only ten seats), Tek Tek is a fine-dining gem named after a native Mauritian clam. The chef prepares dishes in front of you, sharing stories behind each creation. Even as a vegetarian, the custom tasting menu was unforgettable – beautifully plated and deeply personal.

💡 Insider Tip: We recommend SALT’s half-board dining option. Portions are generous, and you can always add extra lunches or explore local restaurant options nearby.

Wellness and Spa

Afterwards, guests can unwind in the Salt Room, a softly lit space with mineral-rich air and salt underfoot. While it’s not the island’s most elaborate spa experience (there’s no sauna or steam room), it’s a perfect way to end an afternoon of pampering with SALT’s own range of spa products – which smell divine, by the way.

💡 Insider Tip: Take a piece of the experience home – the SALT body scrub is a lovely takeaway to remind yourself of paradise in your bathroom at home.

Activities and Experiences

SALT’s activities blend relaxation with local discovery.

The snorkelling trips are a highlight – on calm days, you’ll be taken out to the reef, where the water teems with colourful fish (and the occasional sea turtle). The glass-bottom boat excursions are another favourite, especially for those who prefer to stay dry but still marvel at marine life. Don’t hesitate to ask the hotel boatmen any questions; they’re delighted to share their knowledge with you. 

Back on land, you can join Muay Thai classes, sunrise yoga, paddleboarding, pottery or cooking workshops, and even community projects that bring guests closer to Mauritian culture.

Through the Skill Swap initiative, guests can meet the hotel’s “SALT Shakers” – local artisans and producers – to learn skills like basket weaving, fishing, and soap-making. It’s a rare chance to connect meaningfully with the people behind the island’s magic.

💡 Insider Tip: Book snorkelling early and keep an eye on sea conditions. Calm days make for an unforgettable reef experience.

Sustainability Features

At SALT, sustainability isn’t a buzzword – it’s a way of life. The hotel proves that eco-conscious design can still feel effortlessly luxurious, thoughtful, and authentic to its setting.

You won’t find a single-use plastic in sight. Instead, guests can use is a SALT reusable aluminium bottle, refillable at water stations infused with fruit and herbs. Even the smallest details have been carefully considered – from plastic-free bins and solar-heated pools to rainwater harvesting systems that help conserve the island’s resources. It’s sustainability that never compromises on comfort.

Furthermore, along Palmar’s shoreline, staff collect excess seaweed to use in composting. This natural by-product nourishes the soil for the local farmers who, in turn, supply SALT’s fresh produce – a perfect example of the hotel’s circular approach to sustainability. Nothing wasted, everything with purpose.

Working with the Community

SALT also partners with a network of local artisans and suppliers known as the “SALT Shakers” – a community of farmers, makers, and creatives who bring the island’s spirit into every aspect of the hotel. Guests can even meet them through the Skill Swap platform, whether it’s fishing with Kishor Juggoo, soap-making with Nathalie Marot, pottery with Janine Espitalier-Noel, or basket weaving with Reotee Buleeram. Each encounter celebrates connection, craftsmanship, and community.

The hotel’s ethos extends further through partnerships with organisations such as the Laventure Technical School for Disabled, where SALT helps fund classrooms, support training, and create employment opportunities for students. Guests are also invited to contribute – by donating to The Good Shop, joining community projects, or simply sharing their time and skills.

As Melanie LeBrasse, Assistant Sales & Marketing Manager, explains:

“We don’t use the word luxury – we use the word meaningful. We don’t compromise; we create meaningful luxury.”

SALT’s mission – to connect people with place – sets it apart from the traditional “sea, sun, and sand” resorts. As part of the LUX Collective, it follows the group’s inspiring Circle of Care philosophy, which focuses on protecting the environment, empowering communities, and fostering genuine well-being. There’s even a friendly challenge among LUX hotels to see who can create the greatest positive impact – a refreshing kind of competition that leaves the island better than before.

Meaningful luxury isn’t about more – it’s about better. Every choice at SALT reflects respect: for the planet, for people, and for place.

Location and Getting There

SALT of Palmar sits on Mauritius’s east coast, on a peaceful stretch of Palmar Beach. The drive from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport takes about an hour and fifteen minutes, passing sugarcane fields and fishing villages along the way.

Nearby attractions include Île aux Cerfs, the Flacq Market, and Belle Mare Beach, all easily accessible by car or through the hotel’s local drivers.

💡 Insider Tip: We recommend booking a car through the hotel. There are plenty of options to suit different needs, and the process is completely stress-free, with no hassle and fair prices. It’s less than two hours to reach some of the island’s most scenic spots, including Le Morne and beyond.

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Overall Rating and Final Thoughts

Our Rating:
🌿 Sustainability: 5/5
🎨 Design & Atmosphere: 5/5
🧘 Wellness: 4.5/5
🍽️ Food: 5/5
💰 Value for Money: 4.5/5

Come here not just to stay – but to reconnect: with nature, with people, and with yourself.

You can find out more information about SALT of Palmar on their website or Instagram.

Not for you? Prefer a family resort? Check out our review of LUX* Le Morne for another incredible Mauritian stay.