Positioned on the hillside overlooking Anse Takamaka Bay, Raffles Praslin is a five star resort offering 180 degree views over Curieuse Island. Located in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles enjoys warm weather year round with temperatures between 24 and 32 degrees.
// The Location //
Located on the north east tip of Praslin island, the resort enjoys beach front access to Anse Takamaka. To get to the island, we arrived from Mahe island. It is possible to take a 15 minute helicopter ride or a 1 hour boat ride. The island also has an airport with flights arriving daily. We chose to take the boat which was an easy way to travel and allowed us the time to enjoy the incredible views of the Indian Ocean.
// The Hotel //
When arriving at the resort, you are whisked into the beautiful reception area. As the reception is located outdoors, you can immediately take in the incredible view over the crystal blue water allows you to feel relaxed instantly. We immediately knew we were in for a picturesque and memorable stay.
The all-villa hotel features 86 luxurious villas which are spread amongst the lush gardens of Raffles resort. After checking in, we were taken by golf buggy to our room. As the villas are spread out, it does mean that some villas are quite high up on the mountain. While we enjoyed walking around the resort, there is always the option to call for a ride.
// The Room //
Regardless of your room choice, you are sure to be impressed with the Villas ranging from 125sqm to 275sqm. We were lucky to stay in a beautifully decorated panoramic pool villa. This type of Villa is positioned at one of the highest points of the resort and offers incredible views over the crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches and lush vegetation.
As we entered the Villa we found ourselves amazed at the spacious outdoor cabana area and plunge pool. The area made for a perfect way to spend our first afternoon in paradise.
We were greeted with a lovely fruit bowl and a card from the general manager of the resort upon entry in the villa. The bedroom which features a king size bed overlooks the plunge pool which makes for a beautiful way to wake up in the morning. Next to the bedroom was a walk in wardrobe and study area which lead to the bathroom which featured an in-built bath tub which incredible views. Pop some champagne and add some bubbles and it makes for a perfect way to enjoy sunset. If outdoor showers are your preference, all rooms feature a outdoor shower.
// The Amenities //
There is really no need to leave the resort during your stay. Saying that, there are some incredible places to explore on Praslin including the famous beach, Anse Lazio and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vallee de Mai. Keep your eyes peel for the Coco de Mer which is a double coconut and the black parrot which is only found in the Seychelles. If you are up for an adventure Raffles staff are more than happy to organize a car to take you around the island to do some exploring. We even took a boat ride to Cousin island for the day which we would highly recommend.
If you have come to Praslin for complete relaxation, there is really no need to leave the resort. Raffles offers a range of dining options from local cuisine to dishes from around the world. Each morning we dined at Losean Restaurant which offers an extensive buffet style breakfast while at night we ate at different restaurants including Curieuse Restaurant which offers Indian and South East Asian cuisines. One night we even dined on the beach for a special ‘under the stars’ evening where we enjoyed barbequed fresh seafood!
During the day, enjoy your private plunge pool or spend time by the two 45 metre swimming pool situated next to the beach. If sun tanning is not your thing, there are a number of activities to keep you busy during your stay. Take your pick from snorkeling, fishing, diving and/ or kayaking. Raffles Spa is the ultimate place to relax while enjoying the magnificent view of the Indian Ocean.
// The Verdict //
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Raffles Praslin. From the service to the quality of the rooms, we were not disappointed. At first we were a little over whelmed by the size of the resort but we quickly grew to love how spread out all the rooms were. It meant that we did not see too many other guests, making our time at the resort relaxing and peaceful.
At Raffles, you can easily spread your entire stay without having to leave the hotel. On the other hand, there are many beautiful places outside the hotel if you feel like being adventurous. This means that there is something for everyone at Raffles making it a great hotel for couples and families alike.
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