All international flights arrive into Seychelles on the island of Mahe, with Air Seychelles offering frequent connections to Praslin, which is 45 kilometres away. The 15-minute flight on the small aircraft flying low over the most turquoise Indian Ocean is a sensational way to commence our vacation in one of the most idyllic locations in the world.
Upon arrival at the tiny Praslin airport, our suitcases were immediately offloaded and we were whisked away by our Raffles driver, Meddy, into the depths of this most beautiful tropical island with its abundance of lush vegetation. Praslin is the second largest island in Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean, with 11,000 inhabitants.
An aerial shot of Raffles Praslin, Seychelles
Meddy gave us a guided tour along the way to the resort, passing the famous coconut plantations and stopping at the local beauty spots for a quick photo opportunity. The semi-outdoor check-in area of the Raffles Praslin is striking with its magnificent views across the vast sparkling ocean.
Arriving at our self-contained villa, we were simply overwhelmed with the breathtaking ocean view, the private plunge pool and the outside sundeck and dining area. Inside, the room was luxuriously furnished, with a huge bed taking centre stage, from which to admire the early morning vista through the enormous picture windows. The oversized bathroom had a bathtub perfectly positioned beside a huge picture window, and there was a choice of an indoor or outdoor shower. For the artistically inclined, a drawing easel was waiting in the room to entice guests to capture for themselves the magical tropical scene with the magnificent ocean backdrop.
Lush vegetation with waterfall
There are three choices of dining options at the resort headed by the Michelin star executive chef, Chris Meredith, who joined Raffles from the iconic Sandy Lane in Barbados: Losean, a casual restaurant where contemporary Mediterranean dishes are served; Curieuse, serving Pan-Asian dishes from across south-east Asia; and the Pool Restaurant, specialising in deliciously authentic Creole dishes. The breakfast buffet is simply outstanding, with an enormous array of fresh fruit, juices, salads, cereals, cheeses, breads and cakes. There are also chefs eagerly waiting to cook in front of you fresh Asian food or more traditional cooked breakfasts.
Raffles Ocean View Pool Villa Bedroom
You can also opt for private dining to enjoy a barbecue in the outdoor area of your villa, or for something really special, the hotel can organize a magnificent romantic dinner for two on the beach, with a beautifully laid table surrounded by a cordon of candles in the sand. After experiencing this enchanted dinner under the canopy of a sky filled with stars and with the moonlit sea as a backdrop, I would have to say this was the highlight of our stay at Raffles and an evening that shall never be forgotten. Our pre-selected menu was barbequed on the beach right next to us and served by our personal waiter who was at hand to immediately attend to any request – a magical dining experience.
Raffles – view from deck
Home to the Raffles’ first Signature Spa, it is easy to see how this beautiful haven has won so many awards. Consisting of 13 treatment pavilions and two couple suites, it is the largest spa in Seychelles. The central theme of the bespoke treatments is the therapeutic grade pearl powder, which is indigenous to the ocean surrounding the islands. There is also a fully equipped technogym with an outdoor pavilion for guests to enjoy yoga, pilates or fitness classes.
The impressively large black-tiled pool is perfectly located only a few steps away from the most pristine beach, where various water sports are on offer, including diving, kayaking and snorkelling. Staff in both the pool and beach areas tend to your every need.
The Pool Bar Raffles, Seychelles
Raffles Praslin is perfectly located within the Seychelles archipelago to conveniently explore a couple of other islands. La Digue, a mere seven kilometres away, is easily accessible on the Cat Cocos ferry. La Digue is the fourth largest island in Seychelles and is famed for the Anse Source d’Argent beach, which is considered by some as the most beautiful beach in the world. The ideal way to explore this tiny flat island and to see all the beaches is to rent a bike upon arrival. Another even smaller island just across the bay from Raffles is Curieuse Island, which is home to about 350 giant Aldabra tortoises, which can weigh up to 300kg and live as long as 200 years.
A giant Aldabra tortoise
For animal lovers this is a unique experience to pet and feed these pre-historic looking creatures as they roam about freely (by the way the Seychelles is one of only two places in the world where giant tortoises still exist – the other being the Galapagos Islands).
And when it’s very sadly time to depart this exotic resort, for those who might enjoy a different experience getting back to Seychelles’ international airport, it’s worth considering the one-hour relaxing Cat Cocos ferry back to Mahe which could include some dolphins spotting if you are lucky.
Anse Source d’Argent – image courtesy of seychelles.travel
by Amanda Bernstein
Raffles Praslin, Anse Takamaka, Praslin, Seychelles
Tel +248 429 6000