Villa Rentals in Mauritius

What is the quality level of villa rentals in Mauritius?
What is the availability of bungalows in Mauritius?
How much in advance should one book a beach villa?
How to benefit from cheaper bungalow rates?
Where to book a villa?

Villa rentals in Mauritius are a great noble way to get deeper into Mauritius. Until recently, private beach villas were the only alternative to hotel resorts. Rentals were done on a casual basis, clients being handled either by the owners or by estate agencies specialised in rentals.

Villas, whether on the beach or not, are now subject to fairly strict regulations from the tourism authority of Mauritius; all villas offered for rent to tourists must be duly registered as such, they are surveyed and must fulfil the criteria set.

On the other hand, the expectations of the average guest have risen with the positive result of greatly upgrading that so-called "informal" segment of tourist accommodation in many ways, including the handling services by locally based specialised agents.

What is the quality level of villa rentals in Mauritius?
Most villas offered for rent are on a "private" beach (or at least have a direct access to one,) and are at least comfortable, if not luxurious.

What is the availability of bungalows in Mauritius?
The equation of demand and supply in the private beach villas rentals is well-balanced, except during school holidays where there could be less choices as the owners want to use them while their kids are on holidays and the repeating guests who have been faithful to a particular villa or agency tend to book one year in advance.

How long in advance should one book a beach villa?
For stays during the very peak period of Christmas and new year it is rather difficult to find one unless:
º You are a repeater
º You are ready to pay high rates and let go on several of your requirements including the region
º You book well in advance (6 to 10 months)
º You are lucky to address an agency on the very day it received a cancellation from a client who has just been advised by his travel agent that he finally won't get a seat on the plane (this generally happens around mid Dec.)

For stays during the high periods of November, January to April - 1 to 3 months in advance is advisable.

For stays over any other period - There is no rule; short notice works fine.

How to benefit from cheaper bungalow rates?
To start with: taking their quality into account, private beach villas are a relatively economical solution for large families or groups of friends. They tend to be more expensive around the end of the year and between January and April but there is not much difference.

There are very few beach bungalows for rent i.e small villas on the beach for 2 persons. Couples therefore remain the typical hotel clientele.

Where to book a villa?
Villa rentals is about a way of life works best on a local / regional basis. Each region of Mauritius seem to have its specialist. Websites, such as Tropicscope.com allowing direct contact / rentals with owners are also efficient ways to rent villas.

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Update January 2013