Hailing from the enchanting shores of Mauritius, ALICIA SWIM isn't just a sustainable swimwear brand—it's a ticket to paradise. Inspired by founder Alicia Rountree Zannier’s childhood memories of island life, where days were filled with nature, sisterhood, and boundless freedom, each piece of swimwear invites you to relive those sun-drenched moments. Through her brand, Alicia transports you to the tropical paradise she calls home.
We’re thrilled to have ALICIA SWIM in our LOVE BRAND LOVES collection in stores, which celebrates our favourite women’s brands and artisans. As the summer getaway season kicks into gear, we caught up with Alicia to find out more about her Mauritian upbringing and asked her to share her best travel tips for visiting Mauritius. Read Alicia’s Mauritius insider travel guide below.
Could you share a little about your childhood in Mauritius? How have those sun-soaked days shaped both ALICIA SWIM and your own life's journey?
My earliest memory of Mauritius is probably just being with my family playing for hours and hours on the beach and jumping in and out of the sea whenever we felt like it. I’m the youngest of five children so I always had my brothers and sisters looking after me - we are all very close. I do realise how lucky I am to have grown up in such a magical place; you really do enjoy the simple things in life like freshly grown vegetables from our garden, water skiing before school, being close to nature and animals, and of course time with family and friends creating memories. In Mauritius, I don’t feel I need to look for the material things one might want when living in a city.
Alicia Rountree Zannier | Image courtesy of ALICIA SWIM
Are there any specific local dishes or restaurants that you always recommend to visitors?
For lunch, you can go on a floating boat called Moon Bar’k. There are lots of delicious local foods and it’s great for a sundowner too. I like to eat the palmiste salé, it’s so fresh! As well as the vegan burger. If you want a more chic experience I love going to ‘Le Chateau’ in Bel Ombre, the restaurant is based in a colonial-style house that has been refurbished to perfection. Make sure you dress up and have a delicious bellini before your meal. The best street food is Maraz Taj in Mahebourg (for dholl puri), there’s an interesting museum nearby too on Royal Road, and the most turquoise sea of the island is a few minutes away in Pointe D’esny/Blue Bay. Madame Rose has the best roti close to Le Morne, you can have a dip in the sea after eating and picnic around there too. The best Chinese boulettes are in Albion, there’s a vegetarian option made with cabbage that is to die for!
What are some lesser-known spots in Mauritius that you think travellers should visit?
If you want to go hiking up a mountain, the Le Morne mountain is amazing. It's a hard hike, and it’s best to do it with a guide and very early in the morning as it will get very hot! The views from the top are amazing. A less difficult hike is Le Pouce mountain, but you will still get amazing 360 views. Black River Gorges is a beautiful hike through nature, it’s quite shady so can be done throughout the day. Lunch at Le Chamarel nearby will give you exceptional views of the ocean as well as mouth-watering Mauritian food. Chamarel cascade is nearby with easy access to the waterfall. Eau Bleu is a lesser-known waterfall to visit with easy access. Its water is a deep turquoise clear blue - it’s best to visit in the middle of the day when it’s sunny to really see the vibrant colour shine. Sometimes the waterfall is dried up if there hasn’t been any rain!
Le Morn | Image courtesy of TripAdvisor
There are also many nice beaches around the island, Le Morne has your classic white sand beach, and the more wild area is Gris Gris Beach, you can visit Le Souffleur nearby for dramatic waves crashing and fresh vibrant air. Another completely secluded beach is called Îe aux Flamants, it’s actually a sandbank in the middle of the ocean, and you need to take a boat to get there.
Any tourist pitfalls/things to avoid?
No, I love everything about Mauritius!
Are there any local artisans in Mauritius whose work you admire and recommend visitors check out?
A friend of mine created Soleil Bazaar, a collection of beach baskets and clutches handmade using indigenous techniques passed down through generations of artisans. 10% of each sale goes to charities based in Mauritius.
Le Campement | Image courtesy of Zannier Private Estates
Can you recommend any unique places to stay that offer an authentic Mauritius experience?
Very soon guests with be able to stay at Zannier private estate ‘Le Campement’. It’s a beautiful 5-bedroom villa on the cliffs of our family estate. If you want privacy and well-being this is the place to be! It’s magical. My husband has redesigned and updated this beautiful house we have had in the family for generations. Alternatively, if you want to stay in a hotel, you can never go wrong with the One&Only for a more high-end experience, or LUX* hotels for a more fun, local, and young experience.
What are the must-have items to pack for a trip to Mauritius?
ALICIA SWIM bikinis and kimonos, new LOVE BRAND & Co. matching sets, Celine sunglasses, straw hat and Dr Barbara Sturm Sun Drops sunscreen. You don’t need much on this island, it’s all about the laidback barefoot lifestyle.
Alicia Rountree Zannier | Image courtesy of ALICIA SWIM
How do you stay connected to Mauritius when you’re travelling or living abroad?
I speak to my mum daily so I get to hear the birds chirping in the background! I grew up eating fresh foods from the garden so I make sure to eat natural organic fresh foods whenever possible and try to keep calm most of the time and think about how lucky I am to call Mauritius my home island.
Discover ALICIA SWIM in our Chelsea LOVE BRAND & Co. store at 5 Park Walk, London, or visit our shop share in Grand Baie at Coastal road Sunset Boulevard MU, Grand Baie 30546, Mauritius.
