THE FACTS ABOUT LA CASBAH

Mauritius

This beautiful stretch of coast is backed by a protected forest. The stylish, thatched house is named after the owners' choice of Moroccan-inspired décor and it has three en-suite bedrooms plus an open-plan kitchen/living/dining room. Press a button and electronic shutters rise to reveal a terrace and a small, lawned garden shaded by casuarinas trees a couple of steps from one of the most idiotically idyllic beaches you will find anywhere in the Indian Ocean. The sand is fine and white and jet-black boulders cluster to form paddling pools. A maid arrives early every morning to make breakfast, clean the house and cook lunch. There is also a personal butler who prepares seafood barbecues on the beach and acts as a guide and chauffeur. La Casbah sleeps six. CONTACT Contact Villas de Maitre (01296 334 138; www.villasde.maitre.com) or The Owners' Syndicate (020 7801 9808; www.ownerssyndicate.com). COST From £308 per night. There is an additional fee for butler service