Zilwa Attitude

Zilwa Attitude was a haven of tranquility, where every detail was thoughtfully curated. The stunning beach, luxurious accommodations, and delicious cuisine were all incredible. All staff were the epitome of hospitality, making my husband and my stay truly unforgettable. A special shoutout to Arvind Sooba, whose mixology magic transformed the bar into a nightly spectacle. My husband and I especially enjoyed spending our days and evenings at the bar, where Arvind crafted the most amazing cocktails. His passion, and hospitality for his craft were evident in every drink. We will definitely be back! Read less

This was our second visit to Zilwa. We really can't fault the hotel or facilities at all. The rooms are spacious, good comfortable beds and fantastic views from the beachfront rooms, however the garden rooms are lovely also and look out on to well manicured grounds. The bathroom/shower areas are open plan however, so if you are shy in front of your partner, it's probably not for you. There is a separate room for the toilet. Shower gel and shampoo is complimentary in the rooms. There is a good choice of food for anyone, and some decent vegan and vegetarian options too. Even gluten free rolls for breakfast, fresh poached, boiled, friend and scrambled eggs. fresh pancakes, warm pastries and pretty much anything else you would want for breakfast. Restaurants need to be booked in advance, however we booked them for the week on our second day and there was plenty of availability. The island beach BBQ for lunch is a lovely change of scenery too and fantastic food. There is a small motor raft that does trips every 30 mins to and from the island. There are a few pools, but none are really suitable for those that like to get some lengths in. There is one pool dedicated to children which is also covered by a large shade which is a great idea. There are plenty of loungers by the pool or the beach. No need to be up at 8am to put the towels out. The shallow areas of the beach are silty and therefore not very clear for snorkelling, however there is a snorkel boat at the hotel that does regular trips out to the reef during the day. There are other water activities such as SUP, kayaking, pedlos and small sail boats. Fins, snorkels, wetsuits and masks are provided if needed. The dive centre is amazing. Gold my husband did 8 dives during this stay and had a fantastic time. They will cater for divers of all abilities and have great equipment. For trips, I would recommend Taxi Bhavish. He provides transport services for the hotel, but is also fantastic at organised trips where you won't be ripped off and get value for money. He can be found via the Guests of Zilwa Attitude Facebook group. We will definitely be visiting this hotel again and cannot wait! Read less

TL;DR: • Warm and friendly staff were a highlight. • Layout feels cramped with narrow walkways; beach loungers are basic ones. • Island BBQ and fine dining spot on the beach were standout experiences, though execution could improve. • Food is inconsistent: some highlights, but low on healthy options and bland at the Indian and Thai restaurants. • Cycling tour was abandoned due to poorly maintained bikes—a big shame. • Location near Calodyne and Grand Baie is pleasant but a bit removed from the main island attractions. This was our second trip to Mauritius and our second stay at an Attitude resort, having previously stayed at Ravenala Attitude, which set a higher bar. Zilwa has its moments, but the overall experience didn’t live up to the glowing reviews. While some issues are minor and can’t be helped, they do add up. As a frequent traveler, I find it hard to see why this resort is rated so highly compared to others in the same price range. We stayed in a room in the 12 block, which was fine but not exceptional. The bed was hard, and the room felt on the small side, especially compared to the spaciousness at Ravenala. Toward the end of the holiday, the resort randomly replaced a bunch of furniture with nicer pieces. While it was an improvement, it left us feeling a bit shortchanged—like we missed out on what could have been a more polished experience from the start. The layout of the resort is a bit odd. While there are some open spaces, the guest areas are mostly narrow, with lots of walkways that make it feel cramped and less relaxing. During our stay, there was also some maintenance and redecking going on—power drills and construction noises—which wasn’t a huge issue given it’s likely the shoulder season, but it did take away from the overall atmosphere. The resort is located in the far north of Mauritius in the village of Calodyne, and while it’s a bit removed from some of the main island attractions, the location may suit those looking for a quieter, more secluded experience. The nearest large town is Grand Baie, which is nice enough for a visit. It seems to have shifted more toward being a nighttime destination compared to a few years ago, but it’s still worth exploring. We ventured out to Calodyne and found some great local spots. The Long Bar is a super nice and relatively new place at the end of the road, perfect for drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. Another highlight was Le Margarita, a fantastic pizza place near the resort that served amazing pizza—definitely worth a visit! A general note of caution for those planning to walk around Calodyne at night: while the stray dogs wandering around the resort are friendly and harmless, the property guard dogs in the area are very different. These dogs are highly aggressive and highly dangerous. On one occasion, a couple of them rushed out of an open gate at my wife and me, which terrified her. While this is outside the hotel’s control, it’s worth being aware of the potential risks if you’re heading back from places like the Long Bar on foot after dark. One of the biggest disappointments of our trip was the cycling tour offered by the hotel. On the surface, it seemed promising—the bikes appeared to be of good quality. But, on closer inspection, all four bikes were in poor condition. My wife’s bike had broken gears, and as a less experienced cyclist, she decided not to brave it. In the end, we had to abandon the tour entirely. It’s a real shame, as this could have been a great experience if the bikes had been properly maintained. Only having 4 bikes, all of them in bad condition isn’t great The beach at Zilwa is pleasant, but the loungers are basic ones that guests constantly move around to follow the sun. Not a major issue, but leaves the beach looking messy and disorganized. Upgrading to sturdier wooden ones would make a big difference. Food was very up and down throughout our stay. You can find things of interest at the buffet, but it’s low on healthy protein options, which makes eating healthier a bit tricky. That said, the buffet is generally passable, though not exciting. Unfortunately, the Indian restaurant was poor, with bland flavors, and the Thai restaurant was very bland as well, which was disappointing given their potential. One standout dining experience was the island BBQ. You hop on a pontoon boat to get there, and the food is fresh, flavorful, and delicious—a definite highlight of our stay. Another high point was the fine dining spot on the beach, which offered terrific food and elevated the overall dining experience. However, even here, the execution was lacking, as the seating consisted of cheap plastic chairs, which detracted from the otherwise premium feel. The worst offender was the snack bar at the beach. After waiting 20 minutes for two wraps, we were served both burnt—who knew you could burn a wrap? It’s another example of good intentions let down by poor execution. The drinks at Zilwa were also fairly limited. While the main bar offered some decent cocktails, options elsewhere were sparse unless you were happy with beer or wine. Beach drink service was inconsistent—some days it was quick and efficient, while other days we waited ages, which was frustrating. Other facilities, like the gym, could use a MAJOR upgrade. It’s too small and outdated for what is a slightly younger crowd at the resort. It needs expanding and rethinking. On the positive side, the gardens are lush, tropical, and well cared for, which adds a nice touch to the property. Overall, Zilwa Attitude is pretty nice, but it doesn’t stand out. While the staff, the island, and the fine dining spot on the beach are highlights, the cramped layout, limited food and drink options, hard beds, poorly maintained bikes, and being mindful about walking around at night are all things to consider. Compared to Ravenala Attitude, Zilwa feels like a pretty big step down. For a more polished experience with better dining, amenities, and easier access to attractions—not to mention those stunning sunsets—Ravenala remains the better choice. Read less

Absolutely wonderful holiday. Great staff. Superb setting. Chilled vibe. And lovely food, available in a range of excellent restaurants. The authentic Mauritian flavour is reflected in the whole experience. We were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and decided to try Manao, the Thai restaurant, on the day itself. The whole team really put the boat out (including a table decorated with lovely flowers) and made it a truly memorable evening. Lovely people! Also got to mention the beach bar and main bar. Fab service, fantastic cocktails, difficult to tear ourselves away from both. Our particular thanks to Satyam and Niraj who are great fun and experts at showcasing the excellent local rums! It was a wrench to leave, but there's always the next time... Read less