The 11 thatch-roofed guest rooms at the Lakaz Chamarel are spread around the hotel's gardens, some so well concealed that you wouldn't know they were there, and have all been decorated differently. You can forget about wearing your heels here, too, especially if you're staying in a suite! Various categories of accommodation are available, including 3 standard rooms, 4 superior rooms, a suite on the lake and 3 suites with a private pool, all of which shun modern decor in favour of preserving the charm of the surroundings. This being the case, there are no televisions, minibars or telephones here, and the only safe you'll find is at the reception. The rooms do, however, have air-conditioning, a hair-dryer and bathrobes, and room service is available during the day. The standard room we visited was very colourful but also rather minimalist, making for a truly Zen ambience, whilst the bathroom is located outside the main accommodation and features a slate shower. Hospitality products and mosquito repellent are provided. As for the suites with their own private pool, each of these has a specific theme reflecting a famous Mauritian love story, such as that of the Dame Créole, or Paul and Virginie. All the paintings adorning the walls are originals and are in keeping with the theme of that particular room, whilst the decor as a whole is a combination of ethnic elements. The huge bathrooms are half inside, half outside, and the double washbasins are wonderful!

Opened in 2004, the Lakaz Chamarel has a small, inconspicuous entrance with a pathway leading to the hotel reception, and the whole place feels more like a private residence than a hotel. It sits at an altitude of 1312 ft, amid magnificent, entirely natural gardens in the Black River gorges. The furniture in the small lounge area comes from all over the world, and the ambience here is a combination of European, African and Asian influences. The decor and the cuisine, on the other hand, are undeniably Mauritian! The first of the hotel's swimming pools is small and has just two deckchairs alongside it, whilst the second is a little larger, rectangular in shape, made of slate and adorned with a fountain shaped like a statue. The facilities around this pool are also thin on the ground, but then this is a very small, intimate hotel. For those brave enough to attempt the climb, there is also a meditation area above the property, and according to the principles of Feng Shui, the location is perfect! Those who just want to relax may be pleased to hear that the hotel also has a massage room, where personalised treatments to reflect the needs and wishes of the individual are offered in a small wooden hut. Add to this the outdoor relaxation room and the waterfall-style shower and you have everything you need for a thoroughly relaxing holiday.

The small restaurant at the hotel is located on the terrace of the main building, and all the tables are laid out outside with white parasols overhead. Breakfast is served as a buffet, whilst lunch and dinner are 'à la carte', with the cuisine consisting of a combination of Mauritian and international dishes. A different Créole main course is served for lunch every day, whilst by night, guests can relax in front of the large fire on the terrace, to the sound of a live guitarist. Guests are invited to help themselves to drinks from the refrigerator, with everyone making a note of what they have taken, just like at home!

The hotel doesn't have its own beach, due to its location, but the beaches of Le Morne and the Baie du Cap are just a 15-minute drive away.