Holding a prime position on the north-eastern slopes of the jungle-enveloped Praslin Island, gently peeking over the narrow beach of Anse Takamaka, Raffles Seychelles offers travellers a sense of serenity and exclusivity unmatched elsewhere in Seychelles. With a mind-bending array of facilities, space to spare and views to die for, there’s nothing left longed for in this 40-acre slice of paradise.
ACCOMMODATION
All of the resort’s superbly appointed villas boast stellar views, whether it’s of the tropical greenery or turquoise-hued ocean. Ranging in size from 125 to 275 square meters, each of the spacious one- and two-bedroom villas come complete with king-sized beds, a lounge, open-air balcony with dining area and sun loungers, expansive bathrooms, outdoor rain shower and private plunge pool. The picture-perfect baths are a personal favourite in-villa feature – positioned beneath tall windows that draw the views in, these tubs are made for all-day soaking.
The villas are elegant, contemporary and built for privacy. Cushioned by lush green vegetation, their dark, wooden exteriors blend into the natural topography while the interiors pay homage to the surrounding environment. On the inside, earthy and muted ocean tones are combined with wood, locally-inspired décor elements, and delicate fabrics to create spaces of calm.
Adding the luxurious touch, each villa boasts a double walk-in closet, multiple televisions, a Marshall Bluetooth speaker, yoga mat, art easel and sketch pad, wine cellar and complimentary Raffles Butler service. For the added touch of delight, turn down or housekeeping service twice daily, non-allergic bedding and special occasion setups for birthdays, honeymoons and anniversaries are also provided free of charge.
The resort’s Signature Offer, running until 31 December 2021, is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of these sumptuous villas and enjoy all that makes Seychelles a bucket-list destination. Nothing signifies a surreal island escape quite like five days spent in paradise with helicopter transfers and a three-course romantic dinner!
FOOD & DRINK
Raffles Seychelles is home to six different restaurants and lounges, all offering something unique and delicious. Here, local Seychellois culture is combined with international influences to create culinary offerings beyond compare.
Losean is the resort’s main restaurant that serves the most plentiful breakfast spread bursting with culinary delights from Asia to America and the Middle East to Britain. For lunch and dinner, Losean’s Indian-Ocean-inspired menu spans starters to desserts with ample options for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Open-air, pan-Asian Curieuse Restaurant is the go-to spot for a romantic meal. To satiate those sushi cravings, visit The Sushi Room, which serves locally-caught fish in a traditional assortment of nigiri, maki and sashimi formats. For lazy afternoons by the water, order from the Pool Restaurant & Bar’s menu which features a variety of light lunch dishes and classic island cocktails.
As the sun sets behind the horizon and the sky turns a pretty, pale pink, sip on a sundowner in the utmost comfort at the rooftop lounge, Takamaka Terrace. Danzil Lounge, meanwhile, is the perfect place for a tip-top cocktail or glass of fine wine in a sublime setting. Be sure to take a look at (and sample) the hotel’s impressive array of gins and excellent wine list while visiting.
Private and alfresco dining options are also offered by the hotel – just choose your favourite location and let the magic unfold. From floating breakfasts in your private pool at sunrise to barbeque lunches on the beach or a romantic dinner under the stars on the pearly-white shores of the renowned Anse Lazio; the Raffles Seychelles team is there to fulfil your destination-dining dreams.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
There is no doubt that with its paradisiacal setting, Raffles Seychelles offers up some of the most awe-inspiring activities and natural wonders to explore. And the resort’s Concierge knows precisely which are best, effortlessly organising any and every adventure for you.
A great way to revel in Praslin’s beauty is by cruising the island’s spellbinding roads in a mini moke – with you or your own personal chauffeur behind the wheel. With its open chassis, you can enjoy the ocean breeze kissing your skin and the scent of tropical flora thick in the air as you venture across the island exploring its hidden spots. If you’d instead prefer to witness Praslin or any other of the surrounding islands’ beauty from above, then take a scenic helicopter ride with Zil Air. From the sky, the archipelago’s contrast of colours and dramatic scenery is unmatched and will forge a life-long, picture-perfect memory of Seychelles in your mind.
Of course, admiring the ocean from above gives a unique perspective, especially when you’re lucky enough to spot marine life popping its head above the water mid-flight. But there is nothing quite as magical as exploring the waters from beneath the waves. With its crystal-clear semblance and warm temperature, the Indian Ocean that surrounds the Seychelles Islands makes it a haven for scuba diving and snorkelling. The waters brim with schools of fish and countless other marine species, especially those surrounding the nearby Coco Islands, which have been designated as a marine park since 1966. The Sister Islands of Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur also have a particularly spectacular reef and are in easy reach of the resort.
Boats and catamarans are also available to charter through the Raffles Seychelles Concierge, so you and your friends or family can spend the day island hopping and exploring the ocean at your own pace. Some nearby islands worth visiting include Curieuse Island, which is home to almost 500 giant Aldabra tortoises, and La Digue Island, with its endless photo ops and quintessential tropical blissfulness. Standup paddling and kayaking opportunities are also aplenty here and can be easily arranged through the Raffles Seychelles team.
Back on land, there are a wide variety of hikes, walks and cultural activities just a stone’s throw from the resort. Located on Praslin Island, the Vallée De Mai nature reserve offers an easy trail from which one of the globe’s smallest UNESCO World Heritage sites can be admired. Home to a natural palm forest preserved in its near-original state since prehistoric times, there are many unique, endemic flora and fauna species here not found elsewhere in the world. Most notably, the forest’s landscape is dominated by the biggest population of endemic coco-de-mer trees, famous for bearing the largest seed in the plant kingdom.
The lesser-known yet bigger and more species-rich Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve presents a unique opportunity for discovering the archipelago’s allure. While taking time to appreciate the reserve’s rare ecosystem, visitors can hike to a striking viewpoint with an island-filled panorama that includes Curieuse Island, Sister Islands, Coco Island, Round Island, Felicité, La Digue, Frégate, Mahé and Silhouette.
Back at the resort, a host of standout experiences can also be organised in-house, such as a movie night under the stars, a soak in a flower-filled citrus bath or a photography session amidst the tropical landscape. A rum tasting, mixology class, cooking lesson or day spent visiting local farms with the resort’s chef can also be arranged.
WELLNESS & ROMANCE
Raffles Seychelles is all about curating moments of bliss. From the duo of 45-metre-long beachfront pools to the yoga pavilion, hair and nail salon, fitness studio, sauna, whirlpools, and 12 spa treatment rooms, including 2 couples’ suites and various open-air pavilions with views of the surrounding foliage, the resort has left no stone unturned in the quest for creating an oasis of relaxation.
Inspired by the lotus flower and echoing a mantra that balances exertion with stillness, the Raffles Spa Journeys call upon traditional and local methods to create rejuvenating treatments personalised to each individual’s needs and wants. Treatments range from specialised massages to scrubs, wraps, facials, hydrotherapy and bath rituals.
Along with romantic couple’s treatments at the spa, the resort also offers various romance-imbued experiences. From magical wedding ceremonies to breathtaking proposals and memorable honeymoons, the Raffles Romance Specialists are on hand to assist in planning every last detail.
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To find out more about Raffles Seychelles and to book, visit their website, Instagram profile or Facebook Page.
Images courtesy of Raffles Seychelles.