ANSE TAKAMAKA | PRASLIN, SEYCHELLES
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How often do people speak of a longing for paradise? Of a place where almost everything seems perfect — the weather, the landscape, the very state of being? For most of us, white-sand beaches, clear turquoise waters and lush tropical vegetation form the quintessential backdrop to such a dream. The mere thought of a place like this is somehow soothing; to actually be there feels like pure happiness on earth.
Here, on the Seychellois island of Praslin, all that many of us — myself included — would describe as paradise comes together, and far more besides. On my many travels, I always find myself journeying in a dual capacity: on the one hand, with the standards and expectations that you, dear readers, associate with luxurious destinations; on the other, with my own deeply personal impressions and desires.
Every destination has its own particular charm and, in the best cases, a distinct identity of its own — shaped by the human characters who bring it to life. As consummate hosts, they ensure that we feel entirely at ease, with all our ideas, wishes and needs not only understood, but anticipated.

Raffles Seychelles is one of those rare and remarkable places. Set by human hand into the hillside, amid luxuriant nature and surrounded by the pure, elemental beauty with which it all began. It is a place that has the power to slow the clocks — above all, the one within. A place where simply breathing deeply feels restorative; where the fresh sea breeze gently caresses the senses as the warmth of the sun settles softly upon the skin.
We warmly invite you to accompany us. Let us show you one of the many paradises to be found on this earth — and, in Raffles Seychelles, a destination that proves they truly do exist. These are the places that might have inspired Photoshop and its kind, yet have scarcely any need for filters or elaborate retouching to preserve perfect memories of an extraordinary time.

We wish you great pleasure and a most delightful stay, should you choose to make this precious corner of the world your next destination.

Warmly yours,

Martin V. Sampedrano Gonzalez
Editor

The Journey to Paradise

Those who choose the Seychelles as their holiday destination do so with intention: they are selecting a place far removed from mass tourism, where beauty reveals itself in countless forms. Part of its allure lies in its remoteness. To reach the main island of Mahé, one must first embark on a direct flight of around ten hours from Europe, or opt for a slightly longer journey with a connecting flight. Yet distance is not the only defining factor; there is also the considerable price, which, quite literally, separates the wheat from the chaff. The Seychelles are, after all, among the most expensive regions on earth. Hardly surprising, when one considers that this paradise imports almost everything from abroad — and even the nearest countries lie several hundred nautical miles away.
What may cause many to think twice, or even three times, before spending a holiday here is precisely what motivates others: those who appreciate the exceptional, the tranquillity and the seclusion of a place where not everyone can simply holiday at will.
What may sound faintly elitist is, in truth, one of the keys to the country’s success. Those who travel to the Seychelles spend their time here with a heightened sense of awareness and intention. This is especially true on Praslin, around 40 kilometres from Mahé International Airport and just 15 minutes away by Air Seychelles’ twin-engine propeller aircraft. With its population of barely 7,000 inhabitants, the island is among the most beautiful corners of the earth.
Even during the approach to its small airfield, it becomes clear just how extraordinary this place is. The impressions and images gathered in those first moments make the natural spectacle tangible even from above. Dense, jungle-like palm groves and forests press close to the short runway, while on the opposite side, sunlight performs a mesmerising dance of glittering reflections upon the sea.

The small airport is composed of just a handful of buildings in the local architectural style. There is no trace of haste or noise here. As the luggage glides towards the passengers on the sole baggage carousel, the hotel chauffeur is already waiting at the exit. Moments later, guests are seated in an elegant SUV, its front doors adorned with the hotel’s discreetly refined logo, and set off on a gentle introduction to the island. Chilled towels and bottles of water are offered before departure, setting the tone for what is to come. The relaxed drive from the airport to Raffles Seychelles takes around 40 minutes.
Passing numerous beaches, winding through pockets of jungle and small villages, passengers gain their first impression from the comfort of the luxury vehicle — and quickly begin to sense just how peaceful and unhurried life is here.
From an elevated vantage point, the elegant destination already reveals itself in the distance. The tiny dots nestled amid the luxuriant green vegetation are the resort’s 86 luxurious villas, staggered along the hillside and each offering dreamlike views of the crystal-clear sea.
A few minutes later, the car passes through an imposing entrance gate and proceeds at walking pace along the driveway until it reaches the main entrance of the property. Welcomed by exceptionally gracious hosts, check-in becomes an experience in itself. There are no confining walls, no vast glass façades; instead, guests are greeted by an uninterrupted view across the entire resort. Pure nature, and at its heart a refuge that can scarcely be captured adequately in simple words.
From the airy reception area, the journey to one’s private villa continues by golf buggy. These small, agile and surprisingly swift vehicles are the principal means of transport within the resort, as the steep hillside setting can make walking distances feel rather more ambitious. For this reason, Raffles keeps numerous buggies at guests’ disposal, available at any time by telephone.
As guests are driven through the grounds in these nimble little vehicles, they explore their holiday paradise at leisure and soon develop a sense of the scale of this tropical estate.

Your Private Refuge

The undisputed highlight is formed by the 86 luxurious villas, which lend a distinctly private character to any stay at Raffles Seychelles. Set at varying heights along the hillside, they captivate with their open, expansive architecture. Entry to each villa is via an open-air approach, leading first to a generous terrace with panoramic views.
Here, sun loungers and a covered lounge area invite lingering, while a private infinity pool offers welcome refreshment between sun-drenched moments. Fluffy bath towels are arranged invitingly by the staff. From the sun deck, guests step inside the interior of their temporary island home.

Here, too, the emphasis is on space — not merely in the physical sense, but in the creation of a private world entirely one’s own. A generous double bed, set upon a slightly raised platform, forms the quiet centrepiece of the salon. From here, the villa unfolds with effortless logic: a walk-in wardrobe, an elegant bathroom with an additional outdoor shower, and a discreet work area for those who may need, however briefly, to reconnect with the world beyond the island.
In the bathrooms, Asprey’s Purple Water amenities lend a refined British note, complemented by soft bathrobes and an abundance of plush towels. From the bathtub, the view opens onto the surrounding flora, with the Indian Ocean shimmering beyond — a scene best enjoyed slowly, and without agenda. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the villas and across the resort, with a reliably strong connection. Fresh bottles of water and a considered selection of Nespresso capsules are replenished daily.

As evening descends, carefully placed indirect lighting lends the villa a particularly atmospheric glow. With a chilled drink in hand, the terrace becomes the perfect stage from which to admire a sky scattered with stars. For romantics, it is one of those moments that feels almost choreographed by nature itself.
The villas at Raffles Seychelles are offered in a range of categories. Their design language remains consistently elegant throughout; what varies is the sense of perspective — the location, the view, and the generous proportions of the individual villa.
From the One Bedroom Villa and Two Bedroom Villa categories upwards, guests also benefit from the attentions of a dedicated butler. These villas additionally feature a spacious dining area, lending themselves beautifully to private breakfasts, intimate dinners or simply the pleasure of lingering a little longer in one’s own secluded retreat.

Our recommendation: opt for an Ocean View Villa. It is here that the full drama of the setting reveals itself — with uninterrupted views across the Indian Ocean, and a sense of place that is as spectacular as it is serene.

Pure Relaxation

To dream of the Seychelles is, almost inevitably, to picture the white-sand beaches of this island paradise. Guests of Raffles Seychelles are fortunate enough to have not one, but two of them directly at their disposal. At the main beach, generously cushioned sun loungers await, arranged according to each guest’s preference.
Parasols, side tables, soft towels, ice-cold water, and refreshing chilled towels are offered with effortless attentiveness. Several times a day, fresh fruit skewers are served — a small but charming detail that captures the resort’s understated sense of indulgence.
Compared with many other beaches in the Seychelles, the sea here is notably easy to enjoy. Larger waves may occasionally roll in, but for much of the day, swimming and snorkelling remain wonderfully relaxed. This is thanks, in part, to the island of Curieuse, which lies just a few kilometres offshore. Acting as a natural barrier, it softens the otherwise powerful swells of the Indian Ocean, transforming the bay at Raffles into a true bathing sanctuary.
The exotic nature of this region reveals itself most vividly in those moments when flying fish or dolphins appear, offering guests a glimpse of their graceful formations. Beneath the surface, meanwhile, the sea unfolds in a dazzling palette of colour. Snorkelling equipment should therefore be considered an essential part of the journey.

For guests drawn to the water, the resort offers an enticing array of experiences, from diving excursions and kayaking tours to stand-up paddleboarding, fishing trips and private boat journeys around the island and to its many secluded beaches.
One of the world’s most celebrated stretches of sand lies only a few minutes from the hotel, either on foot or by boat. Anse Lazio is a spectacular composition of turquoise water, powder-soft sand and monumental granite boulders. Though public, the beach retains an extraordinary natural beauty and is perfectly suited to sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling.
Those who prefer to explore on land are equally well served, with guided hikes and mountain-bike tours offering a more active encounter with the island’s lush interior. Golf enthusiasts, meanwhile, will find much to admire at the nearby 18-hole championship course at Lémuria, where impressive greens unfold amid Praslin’s overwhelming natural beauty.
Time for body, mind and soul should be considered an essential part of any stay in the Seychelles. The elegant Raffles Spa provides the perfect refuge for precisely this, and has been recognised with numerous awards. It is little wonder: while many spas rely on dimly lit treatment rooms to create a sense of calm, here it is nature itself that sets the tone.
In 12 luxurious open-air pavilions and two elegant spa suites — ideal for couples’ treatments — guests can surrender to their chosen ritual in complete privacy, blissfully shielded from the outside world.

Beyond treatments and massages, guests of Raffles Spa may also enjoy the comforts of a superbly equipped fitness studio, a steam room, whirlpools and sensory showers. A sauna is also available, completing the spa’s considered wellness offering.
A comprehensive overview of the treatments and rituals available can be found via the following link.

As an elegant alternative to the beach, two crescent-shaped infinity pools, each 45 metres in length, invite guests to linger and unwind. Around them, and throughout the luxuriant gardens, comfortable daybeds, loungers and hammocks are thoughtfully placed, creating a series of serene little hideaways. Drinks and light dishes are served on request by the resort’s gracious hosts.
The late afternoon is an especially appealing time to settle here, when the sun begins its gentle descent and the heat of the day slowly softens.
Many guests spend much of their stay cocooned in the comfort and privacy of their own villa. Yet by evening, a more sociable mood seems to take hold, and most find their way to the deck of the pool restaurant — whether for a drink, a light meal, or simply to savour the island’s languid twilight atmosphere.

For breakfast with a view of the beach, Losean Restaurant provides an inviting setting. Its generous buffet offers a richly varied selection of fresh exotic fruits, classic European delicacies and Far Eastern specialities. To begin the day here, with one’s first nourishment framed by such a setting, is to feel especially far removed from the clamour of the everyday.
In the evening, seafood lovers are indulged at Losean with a menu inspired by the ocean’s freshest treasures — a celebration of the Indian Ocean’s bounty, served with the easy elegance that defines island dining at its best.

For lunch, the Pool Restaurant & Bar offers an effortlessly convenient choice. Within easy reach of both the beach and the pool deck, it serves light midday dishes in a relaxed, sun-drenched setting.
Curieuse Restaurant, by contrast, is distinctly Asian in character, its menu weaving together the culinary signatures of South-East Asia, China and India. Open to the elements and imbued with an easy island elegance, it is particularly atmospheric in the evening, when dinner on one of the terraces becomes a favourite choice for couples.
On selected days of the week, generous themed buffets add further variety to the resort’s dining programme. Classic cocktails, fine wines, liqueurs and more are served in Danzil Lounge — an open, airy and stylish setting in which to enjoy international mixology with a distinctly relaxed sense of sophistication.
Takamaka Terrace is the resort’s rooftop lounge, and one of its most photogenic vantage points. From here, guests can capture sweeping panoramic views across the bay while enjoying an ever-changing selection of drinks and shisha — a fitting finale to days defined by sea air, sunlight and the languid rhythm of island life.

A Lasting Impression

Raffles Seychelles is, without question, a very special place — one that conveys an extraordinary sense of calm and ease. Far removed from stress, haste, traffic and noise, it offers the pleasures of a luxurious hotel combined with the comforts and privacy of a private residence, all set within a setting that feels unmistakably paradisiacal.
This is contemporary luxury at the highest level: relaxed, yet never careless; informal, yet always impeccably considered. It is a balance that particularly appeals to couples in search of rest, intimacy and escape. There is no rigid dress code — and yet, somehow, fashion missteps seem unlikely to make an appearance here.
On the culinary front, the resort’s outstanding team of international chefs impresses with creativity and a deft fusion of modern European cuisine and the distinctive accents of the Indian Ocean.
Raffles Seychelles is not only a haven for couples. Families, too, are exceptionally well catered for. A dedicated children’s club keeps younger guests entertained, allowing parents to discover the resort’s many pleasures in peace and at their own pace.
Those with an appreciation for the exceptional will find themselves enchanted from the very beginning, and will quickly come to value the many possibilities this remarkable hotel has to offer.
For guests who can scarcely wait to reach their holiday destination, the hotel also offers a helicopter transfer from Mahé airport. Available for all daytime arrivals, this optional service provides an unforgettable bird’s-eye introduction to paradise before landing on the resort’s private helipad.
We wish you an unforgettable stay and look forward to hearing your personal impressions after your journey.

Photography:  Raffles Seychelles, Martin V. Sampedrano Gonzalez