Ocean's Creek Beach Hotel sits on the sunny northwest coast of Mauritius, near Balaclava, with views over the Tombeau River and Le Goulet Beach. The hotel takes its name from the point where the river meets the Indian Ocean and is managed by Shanti Hospitality, whose portfolio includes sister property Shanti Maurice. Long before it welcomed travellers, the site operated as Cloud 9 Studio, a film production hub that hosted crews from South Africa, Japan, India and Mauritius.

Across 136 rooms, family rooms, suites and kitchenette equipped studios, sizes range from 34 to 67 square metres. Every room has its own private balcony, looking out over forest, pool or river depending on position, along with a flat screen TV carrying international channels. The Suite is the roomiest option, with a sofa that converts for a family with a young child or two friends sharing, while the Studios suit longer stays and self catering with a fitted kitchenette.

Beyond the pools, Ocean's Creek offers a genuinely distinctive line up for Mauritius: in house giant waterslides thread through the courtyard, a climbing wall tests three levels of difficulty, and a boat cruise glides along the Tombeau River for residents who book ahead. The Kids Club welcomes children aged three to twelve into a temperature controlled pool and play scape of its own, and the Shanti Wellness spa rounds things off with treatments, a fitness centre and private lessons on request.

Days at Ocean's Creek revolve around two outdoor pools with a swim up bar, giant waterslides and a three tier climbing wall, plus twin whirlpools for a quieter soak. The Shanti Wellness spa adds a gym, sauna and hammam lined with pink Himalayan salt, while the Kids Club keeps younger travellers entertained with a play scape, games and a kids cinema. Free WiFi reaches every room and public area, and lifts connect all three floors.

Le Jardin is the main restaurant, an all day dining room with an open kitchen and buffet spanning breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus seating on the veranda and in the terraced gardens. The Rum Shed turns to steak and grill six nights a week, paired with local Mauritian music. Tam Tam Bar sits centrally with local and international mixology and pool views, and the swim up Pool Bar delivers cocktails and snacks straight to loungers and private cabanas.

For events, The Cube is a fully customisable former movie studio spanning more than 250 square metres and holding up to 300 people, complete with a technical cabin for lighting and sound. Koze, named after the Mauritian Creole word for to speak, suits smaller meetings. Weddings, engagement dinners and anniversary receptions can be arranged on the beach or in the banquet room, and Le Jardin or The Rum Shed can be reserved for private celebrations.