Veranda Tamarin Hotel and Spa

Veranda Tamarin Hotel and Spa is the budget pick in this guide and the most fun. It stands on Tamarin Bay, the laid-back surf and dolphin village on the west coast, and was reborn from the old Hotel Tamarin with a fresh, youthful concept built around surf, beaches, hiking and local music. Rooms are simple and colourful, in four types: Comfort rooms for two with garden or mountain views, Privilege rooms facing the pool, Teens units with a mezzanine and two-bedroom Family units. There are two pools, including a rooftop pool with a view over the bay that is reserved for adults, and The View rooftop bar beside it. The main restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, a pool bar does sandwiches and pizzas, and the Crazy Fish Bar has all-day food and live music at night. The Seven Colours spa has a few treatment rooms, a sauna and a relaxation area. Children aged three to eleven can join the kids club, and there is a fitness room, aquagym and games. A surf school, dolphin watching, boat trips, paddleboarding, diving, kitesurfing lessons and golf can all be arranged for an extra fee. Half-board and an all-in plan are offered, and Expedia guests rate it well.

Location and getting around: Tamarin is on the west coast between Flic en Flac and Black River, about an hour from the airport. The dolphin boats leave from Tamarin and Black River bays, Casela is about fifteen minutes north, and the Black River Gorges hike, Chamarel and Le Morne are all within half an hour. The salt pans and the beach at Tamarin are a short walk away.

Rooms: Comfort rooms are compact and suit couples, Privilege rooms add a pool view and space for a child, and the Teens and Family units work well for families with older or younger children. Rooms are functional rather than luxurious, which keeps the price down.

Who it suits: young couples, surfers, active travellers and families on a budget who want a sociable, characterful base close to the west and south-west sights and plan to be out most days.

Good to know: the bay has a river mouth and a surf break, so swimming is better at nearby Flic en Flac or on calm days. Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out at noon. The all-in meal plan must cover the whole stay and everyone in the booking, so compare it with half-board before you choose.