A certain royal honeymoon may have helped shine a spotlight on the Seychelles, but travelers heading to this formerly-French Indian Ocean archipelago will still, happily, feel like they’ve stumbled upon a hidden paradise—albeit one with luxury resorts. Set on lush Praslin Island (a short prop-plane hop from the international airport), Raffles Praslin Seychelles is home to 86 cliffside villas (each with plunge pool and butler service), several gourmet restaurants, and a private beach from which you can enjoy water activities or set off on a fishing trip with the chef.
The award-winning spa has 13 treatment villas—some open-air, all backed by sounds of the ocean—in which to enjoy signature services like the Pure Pearl (a scrub/wrap with mineral-rich crushed pearls), Seashell Therapy massage or lotus-themed Transformation Treatment, with moor mud and organic juniper, fennel and lavender.
Launched this spring, the Body & Soul Journeys include a custom-designed program of spa services, classes and fitness activities, from sunrise beach jogs and sunset yoga to kayaking, biking or hiking in the UNESCO-protected Vallée de Mai reserve—plus perks like nightly butler-drawn aromatherapy baths.
Save time for an afternoon at wide, powder- white Anse Lazio beach; though it’s considered one of the most beautiful in the world, chances are you’ll be able to snag a tree-shaded copse or two all to yourself. raffles.com/praslin
—Sandra Ramani