Raffles, Praslin Seychelles

When British officer Charles George Gordon visited the Vallée de Mai nature reserve on Praslin, one of the islands of the Seychelles, in 1881, he was convinced that this had once been the site of the Garden of Eden, the residence of Adam and Eve. We have the same feeling arriving for our visit to Raffles Seychelles.

Surrounded by pristine beaches, framed by forests and clear ocean waters, it is no wonder we get visions of paradise. Our daughters are also extremely excited, especially about the fact that the resort features the largest swimming pool in the Indian Ocean with a length of forty-five meters. After an extensive and friendly welcome with a cool drink and an explanation of all the facilities that we can use during our stay, we are taken to our accommodation by a golf buggy.

The eighty-six villas are stunningly furnished in a modern contemporary design: featuring a king-size bed or two queen-size beds, safe, desk, Nespresso machine, DVD player, flat screen TV, iPod docking station and walk-in closet. On top we are amazed by the beautiful bathroom with natural daylight, rain shower and signature bath. Furthermore, our villa offers a large terrace with pool and open-air pavilion with day beds and dining table. Positioned hillside, the view from every villa is filled with the sight of a pure azure ocean and lush emerald foliage. The spacious floorplan takes full advantage of this marvellous view, keeping all the focus on the floor-to-ceiling windows that open to allow the ocean ambiance to permeate the space.

The stunning Ocean View Pool Villa on a sunny day

Even the most modest villa is extraordinarily spacious and luxurious. However, our two-room Beachfront Pool Villa is of a completely different class. With 275 m² of living space, it is not inferior to an average house. In addition to the bedrooms, we also have two en-suite bathrooms with spectacular views of the surrounding jungle, indoor and outdoor rain shower, spacious living room, kitchen with separate entrance and the largest flat screen we have ever seen. And then we have not even mentioned our private pool that spans the entire width of the villa. Instantly it becomes difficult to choose: our own swimming pool or the largest one in the region? Well, it is vacation, so why not just take advantage of both?

Everything slows down a bit during a holiday on Praslin. There is little traffic, and we fully enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at the Raffles. This second largest island of the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean is easily accessible from Mahé by ferry or, with the money to spend, a short flight with a helicopter. Completely in James Bond style, you land on the hotel's own helipad. If you choose this option, there is a good chance that the first living creatures that greet you are the giant turtles who live at the resort. During our stay we got the fun opportunity to visit them with their caretaker and feed these fun and gentle creatures.

Built on the hillside of a 30-hectare tropical estate, overlooking Anse Takamaka Beach, Raffles Seychelles is situated in the northeast of Praslin, on the road leading to the mythical Anse Lazio Beach. Over the years it received awards from the best travel guides and websites. With an area of 38 km², Praslin is the second largest island of the Seychelles, after Mahé. It is about 44 km northeast of that island. Explorer Lazare Picault named the island Isle de Palmes in 1744 and it was christened Praslin in 1768, in honour of the French diplomat César Gabriel de Choiseul, Count of Praslin. About 6500 people live on this small slice of paradise.

In a manner of speaking, there is a beach on the island for every one of these inhabitants. Praslin is high on the list of islands with the most beautiful beaches in the world. For example, the beach of Anse Lazio is just 20 minutes away from the hotel. It boasts an accessible location, beautiful reefs, granite boulders that offer shade and lilting palms. The beach is perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Just as beautiful, even more so is the Anse Georgette, the only catch is that it is privately owned. Although we could visit it by arranging prior permission through the Constance Lemuria Resort. A not too crowded and less know beach is the Petite Anse Kerlan; it is perfectly safe for the entire family and a recommend place for a day of underwater exploration.

The hotel beach at Raffles Seychelles is not really on pare with these famous beaches, but although a bit small still nice. But you must know that you have access to two neighbouring additional beaches within few meters. Maybe not being picture perfect we have a lot of fun playing in the crazing waves when in the afternoon the wind picked up quite some bit. And we enjoy the delicious treats being served for free on the beach. On quite days, the snorkelling of the coast in front of the hotel is good. Staff mentioned frequent sights of sea turtles and large schools of fish.

Nature lovers can certainly indulge themselves on this beautiful island. For example, the nature reserve of the island of Aride and its numerous species of birds await you after 45 minutes transfer by boat from the hotel. You can also go to meet giant tortoises that live up to two hundred years in Curieuse Island, 10 minutes away by boat. Finally, we highly recommend a visit to the nature reserve of the Vallée de Mai, UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the smallest Heritage Sites in the world. The valley forms the heart of the Praslin National Park. Vallée de Mai is known for its Coco de Mer, the exceptional palm. Animals such as black parrots, swallows, geckos, and tree frogs are also found here. Until 1930, the valley remained virtually untouched. But in the early 1930s, the new owner decided to embellish the valley with, among other things, botanical gardens. Many ornamental plants and fruit trees were introduced from these gardens. In 1948 the area came into the hands of the government and in 1966 it became a nature reserve.

A challenge with all of this is the fact that the resort has so much to offer that it is difficult for us to discover all this beauty on the island. Two swimming pools, a fine sandy beach, non-motorized water sports (snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddle, sailing), table tennis, petanque, mountain bike, beach football, giant chess, workshops and great kids club and some highly recommended restaurants.

For example, the main Losean restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner. Contemporary cuisine with Creole influences in an elegant setting is central here. Each day we start with an enticing spread of breakfast classics, from fruit and cereal to pastries and continental meats and cheeses, with a live noodle station and eggs made to order. In the evening we enjoy the elegant dinner setting, with tables both inside and out in the gardens, candlelit and accompanied by the sounds of the sea. An even chicer environment can be found in the Curieuse restaurant where delicious, gourmet dishes from Asia are prepared every evening. Infused with oriental spice and aromatic ingredients, the menu varies from Thai salads and spicy sour soup to Indian curries and traditional Chinese stir-fries.

In the Sushi Room, the intimate adjacent space, we enjoy the best sushi we have ever tasted. The most fantastic sushi, sashimi and makis are presented in a real 'sushi boat'. The Danzil Lounge Bar is the place to be for delicious cocktails against a backdrop or inspiring views towards the ocean. During the day, the poolside ‘Pool Restaurant and Bar’ offers light meals, sushi, local flavours, mango caipirinha or tropical cocktails. And a little further on the beach we find 'Pti Zil Beach Bar'. Perfect for refuelling during a busy day or soaking up the Seychellois sun. Just to try all these options extensively, you must stay at Raffles Seychelles for a week or longer.

Time you will also need to take advantage of all the resort amenities. To start with: children from 0 to 18 years old can enjoy three different themed areas in the Le 'Sugar Palm Kid's Club'. An extensive activity program is put together for each age group. Think of craft and drawing sessions, traditional games, coconut de-husking, crab hunting, viewpoint photoshoot, cooking class, beach volleybal, sand castle competition and a nature trail.

And we explore 'Raffles Spa'. Steps away from the coastline of Anse Takamaka, amidst stunning surroundings this is one of the largest spas in the archipelago. It contains twelve treatment pavilions, hammam, sauna, jacuzzies, swimming pool, beauty salon manicure, pedicure, tearoom, boutique, fitness room, yoga pavilion and Pilates, collective and private classes Zumba, yoga, Pilates, cardio Pool. Hidden between the vegetation and the granite rocks , the pavilions offer a spectacular view of the ocean.

Just the place to dream some more contemplation the first opportunity to again return to this amazing paradise. For sure Raffles Seychelles is one of the best resorts in the world.

WOW

# Snow-white sandy beaches alternate with beautiful natural parks full of unique tree and plant species that can only be found in the Seychelles.

# This is a superb location for people who want to really get away from it all and experience total relaxation. The Two Bedroom Ocean View Villas are perfect for families offers a quiet sanctuary with magnificent ocean views. The entire staff help you with every need.

# Combining the best of the local culture and cuisine, each restaurant and bar has its own unique atmosphere and setting. Indoors or out, the possibilities are endless.