Coral Azur Beach Resort

Coral Azur has what many of the north’s three-stars lack: its own beach, straight onto the Mont Choisy lagoon. Step out of your room and you’re in the water — and the water here is calm and shallow, so children can go in on their own.

The hotel offers an all-inclusive package at a very accessible rate, which makes it a good way to fix your budget in advance. Rooms are simple, the pool is decent, the mood is family and unfussy.

I recommend it for families and week-long stays where the plan is to settle in. Grand Baie is ten minutes away for evenings out, and boats to the northern islets leave from close by. I’m a quarter of an hour away.