When one of London’s most famous It girls announced she was leaving the capital for a slower-paced life amidst the rhythmic waters of Mauritius, many saw it as an unexpected pivot.
But the paradise island has always held a special place in the Zimbabwean jewellery designer’s heart: growing up in southern Africa, she visited Mauritius every year with family and eventually decided to get married there. Now that she’s a mother to three young children, she hopes to be able to give them experiences similar to her own upbringing filled with outdoor adventures, proximity to nature, and a sense of belonging to a community.
Mauritius is also taking centre stage in the latest collection from her jewellery line, Aya. “Pearls felt like the perfect centrepiece because they have such a natural, effortless elegance to them. The collection is very inspired by island life—softer, more organic and relaxed,” says Chelsy, sharing how she wanted to create wearable pieces that would work “equally barefoot on the beach during the day as dressed up for dinner in the evening.”
From the best kid-friendly hotels to the eco-conscious brand to shop for the whole family, Chelsy shares her insider secrets for a fabulous island escape with kids.
You recently moved your life and your family to Mauritius. What made you decide to make that leap?
It’s been a long time coming, to be honest. We spent some time here visiting my parents during COVID and got locked down on the island, so we were forced to consider it as something more than a holiday destination—it’s like old fashioned village life, but with all the upsides of the modern world, and there is a real sense of community. When we had children, the idea of them growing up with more freedom, more nature, more outdoor life, and a stronger sense of community became increasingly important to us. Mauritius felt like the perfect place for that kind of upbringing.
What does the island give you that nowhere else can?
I think the one thing that I really appreciate is the multiculturalism. No one was here until a few hundred years ago, and everyone is a relatively recent arrival. For that reason, several cultures, languages, religions, and backgrounds live alongside each other in a really remarkable way. This melting pot concept runs through literally everything, from supermarkets to schools, and it’s both wonderfully refreshing for us and an amazing foundation for the kids to grow up with in our multi-cultural, ever-changing interconnected world.
What makes Mauritius the ideal family destination?
The weather is warm and sunny year-round, and even the winter months are very mild. The only slightly unpredictable period is cyclone season, which peaks from January to March, although even then, if you’re lucky, it can still be glorious.
It’s an 11-hour flight from the UK, but the time difference is only three or four hours, depending on the season, which makes travelling with children far more manageable than many other long-haul destinations. It’s also an island genuinely geared towards families: most hotels are really family-oriented rather than simply ‘child tolerant’, and children are welcomed everywhere. There’s also a real sense of ease and safety here. The lagoons are protected by reefs, so the sea is generally calm and shallow for little swimmers.
People also don’t always realise that Mauritius has excellent healthcare infrastructure and is extremely proactive when it comes to public health monitoring and rapid response measures. As a parent, that peace of mind matters enormously when travelling with children.
Best time of year to travel with kids?
October, when it’s starting to warm up—and there’s no need for a light sweater in the evening, as is sometimes required in August—and the sea is warm but it’s not yet overly hot and humid.
What are some of the common misconceptions people may have about Mauritius?
That it’s just a holiday destination. Because of the weather and the tropical island nature of the place, it gets lumped into the same bucket as the Maldives and Seychelles, but there are nearly a million and a half people that live here full-time. It has a buzzing cultural scene, great restaurants, and a vibrant local economy. It’s also an important business and financial hub for much of southern Africa, with a well-established legal system and strong institutions, which gives the island a stability and sophistication that many visitors don’t necessarily anticipate.
Your Mauritius packing list: the pieces that work for chasing your kids around the beach by day and sipping chic cocktails with friends in the evening?
My wardrobe here has become much more relaxed. I live in oversized linen shirts, denim shorts, and Birkenstocks! In the evening, I’ll usually just add gold jewellery, slightly better sandals, and a simple dress. Mauritius is chic, but in a very understated way. ‘Nothing too polished’ works particularly well here.
Is there one thing you’d never leave the house without?
Sunglasses!
Is there a local delicacy that your kids absolutely love?
They love the local Indian—Mauritius has great Indian food—and Kreol food. At their ages, they probably lean mostly towards something that looks a lot like chicken tikka.
Which family-friendly hotels would you recommend?
The Paradis will always have my heart. We’ve been going almost every year since I was four, so I basically grew up there, and I got married there a few years ago. It is honestly like my home away from home, and I love being able to bring my kids to it. It is also, in my biased opinion, the best kid-friendly hotel on the island. I would also recommend the Lux Grand Gaube, it is great value for money and has a great kids club with lots of activities for kids and teenagers. It’s also one of those hotels that caters for kids really well without it feeling like a kid-focused hotel.
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What are the local brands we need to know about?
Kreol Republic is great for funky swimming trunks, caps, local-themed t-shirts, and other holiday/weekend gear for all ages.
Best place for shopping for the kids?
If you want a gift, go to Rendez-Vous in La Croissette mall. They stock Kreol Republic and some other great local artisans selling everything from sports bags made of recycled sail material to locally-made coasters and candles.
And for yourself?
Goyco at Bloom has amazing stuff. The hotel boutiques at the Paradis and One&Only are also really good.
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What are your go-to restaurants for family-friendly dining?
Bloom in Pereybere for breakfast/brunch is very kid-friendly. Le Poivrier is great for lunch (with well-behaved kids). In the evenings, we tend to avoid dinner out with our kids!
Do you have a favourite district or neighbourhood that you head to when seeking design inspiration?
I spend a lot of time around Grand Baie because that’s home, and there’s a real wave of young Mauritian designers and makers coming through there.
Where can the kids learn more about Mauritian culture?
Honestly, simply spending time outside the resorts is the best education.
The beaches for a fun-filled day out with the family?
Literally any. They’re all public, and all have all sorts of things going on. Mont Choisy beach is particularly stunning.
Any insider snack spots, bakeries, or sweet treats that kids love (and adults too)?
Mr Berti Pizza is spectacular. There are a few around the island and they tick a lot of boxes for family snacky treats. Adult-wise, L’Epicerie in Grand Baie. Lastly, the daily 4 pm pancake station at the Paradis is, if I’m being really honest, possibly my favourite thing on the entire island.
Any tourist traps to avoid?
I’d give the bigger, more commercial party boats a miss.
If mums have a few hours sans enfants, where should they go?
Mauritius does spas incredibly well… A personal favourite is LUX* ME Spa, at The Lux Grand Baie.
If we took a snapshot of one of your most memorable moments in Mauritius, what would it look like?
My husband would want me to say getting married on the beach at the Paradis a few years ago—which, which, don’t get me wrong, was incredibly special—but one of the memories that always comes to mind when I think of Mauritius is catching crabs on the beach in the evenings as a child. Being able to create those same memories with my own children now feels the most special.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?