THE FACTS ABOUT VILLA HACIENDA

Mauritius

This homely, characterful house is in Cap Malheureux ('Cape Misfortune'), a smart neighbourhood on the northern tip of Mauritius. It has a swimming pool but access to the pretty beach is past two other houses on the plot (a common configuration on Mauritius), a distance of about 50 metres. The house was designed with children in mind with plenty of outdoor living space incorporating several eating and seating areas around the swimming pool. The owner lives in front (in what is known as second position from the beach), but she has left the house furnished much as it was for her family: some rather grand dressers, chests of drawers and side cabinets have been combined with more practical white-painted bedroom furniture (the three bedrooms and two bathrooms are immaculate). Ask her about drinking whisky with Gerard Depardieu when he rented the beachfront house while filming Mon Père Ce Héros. The house can sleep eight people and there is a maid service six days a week. CONTACT Villas de Maitre (01296 334 138; www.villasdemaitre.com) COST From £125 per night