On Rodrigues, luxury is defined by a sense of remoteness, space and tranquillity. Constance Tekoma provides a comfortable and intimate base from which to discover an Indian Ocean island that remains blissfully under the radar.

Just 617km from Mauritius, Rodrigues is part of the same island nation but feels a world away. While Mauritius is well known for its romantic beaches lined with sophisticated resorts, Rodrigues, although equally beautiful, has a quieter, more authentic character, which has earned it the nickname ‘Cinderella of the Mascarenes’. Life moves at a slower pace here, and the island’s wild landscapes, pristine turquoise lagoons and strong Creole identity are a huge part of the appeal.

Set on the eastern coast at Anse Ally, Constance Tekoma has been designed to complement rather than compete with its surroundings. An understated island aesthetic, natural materials, contemporary design and a relaxed atmosphere create a resort that feels like it belongs here.

The 32 en-suite rooms are arranged in individual villas perched on a hillside, each offering generous space and views towards the ocean. They feature draped four-poster beds, wallpaper panels and stone basins, while outdoor baths and showers add a touch of luxury. Private terraces provide somewhere to sit with a morning coffee or watch the colours change across the lagoon at sunset.

The main restaurant, 1528, is named for the year in which Rodrigues was discovered by Portuguese sailors. Its elevated position overlooking the ocean makes it an appealing place to linger over a meal. Local ingredients and Rodriguan flavours are given a contemporary treatment, with dishes reflecting the island’s rich culinary heritage. Naturally, seafood features prominently and is as fresh as it gets. I was particularly pleased to see that the placemats were made by local artisans, woven from the leaves of the vacoas plant – a small detail that reflects the hotel’s connection to its surroundings.

Tekoma invites you to slow down and follow the rhythm of Rodrigues: walking barefoot along the beach, snorkelling in the lagoon or simply settling into a sun lounger with a book. For more active days, boat trips, fishing, kitesurfing and diving can be organised. Close to the hotel is La Passe St François, a deep channel teeming with colourful fish and a favourite with divers, particularly from November to April.

At Tekoma, the emphasis is on experiencing Rodrigues rather than simply looking at it from the confines of a resort, with excursions and activities providing opportunities to really get to know this special place. The wonderful market in Port Mathurin is a highlight of the week for locals and unmissable for visitors. While in Port Mathurin, I urge you to visit the workshop of inspiring local charity Care-Co, which provides paid employment and training for people with disabilities.In the on-site shop, you can buy the jewellery and other beautiful handicrafts they make from coconut shells. They also have a small shop in the town centre.

Walking trails criss-cross the island, and at just 11 miles long and four miles wide, it is easy to explore on foot. I recommend taking a guided hike with local company Eco Ballade. Our family opted for our favourite route along the stunning east coast: we stopped off at five beautiful, secluded coves and barely saw a soul aside from a herd of goats and some carefree tropic birds. The walk was greatly enhanced by our Eco Ballade guide, Clo Clo, and her knowledge of medicinal plants and local folklore.

Tekoma has everything you need to relax and recover after a hike: a pool complete with a poolside bar overlooking the ocean and a small spa offering massages and facials.

Rodrigues is an island whose immense natural beauty deserves to be protected. So, we were delighted to observe that sustainability is more than a buzzword at Constance Tekoma – it is key to how the hotel operates. Tekoma has its own desalination plant to provide fresh water, which is later recycled for use in the garden; solar power provides hot water and waste food is given to local farmers.

Endemic plants are labelled throughout the gardens and draw an extraordinary number of butterflies – my children delighted in watching clouds of orange African Monarchs rise from the plants as we walked along the path to our villa.

Constance Tekoma is not a sprawling resort designed to keep you occupied from morning until night, but somewhere to pause, breathe and reconnect with your surroundings. It gives you the space to appreciate what brought you to Rodrigues in the first place: the sense of being somewhere remote, unhurried and genuinely different.

For travellers who have already discovered Mauritius, Rodrigues offers a compelling reason to venture further into the Indian Ocean. At Constance Tekoma, that spirit of adventure comes with all the comfort you need — but never at the expense of the island’s wild, laid-back character.

W: Constance Tekoma, Mauritius

Written by Alexandra Richards for Luxuria Lifestyle International