The Best of Paradise at Raffles Praslin Seychelles

SINGAPORE–(Marketwire – September 29, 2010) –   On course for an opening in January 2011, Raffles Praslin Seychelles will be offering a host of relaxing and exciting recreational pursuits, from water sports to island-hopping getaways to golf, to showcase the best of the new resort and the island of Praslin.

The 30-hectare Raffles Praslin is situated on the beautiful Northeastern tip of Praslin. The resort enjoys a generous stretch of white sand beach with crystalline clear waters ideal for swimming and a variety of water sports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing and kayaking, sailing and more. Flanked by the nearby Curieuse island, the shoreline of Anse Takamaka stretches out to the Curieuse Marine National Park where lively marine species thrive in abundance. 

Golf enthusiasts will be thrilled with a game of golf at the only 18-hole championship golf course on the island, known for its challenging par-70 course surrounded by remarkable topography and flora and fauna. To capture the full beauty of Praslin from the aerial view, embark on a chartered helicopter for an exhilarating journey high above.

The legendary Vallée de Mai, namely one of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Seychelles, is an attraction not to be missed. Found nowhere else in the world except in Praslin are the magnificent Coco de Mer palms, growing wild in glorious abundance, bearing fruit to the world’s largest seeds in the world. Other endemic plants and animal species such as the rare Seychelles Black Parrot can also be seen at Vallée de Mai — once believed to be the original site of Eden.

Island hopping excursions are great ways to enjoy Praslin and nearby islands. A 15-minute flight connects to the vibrant capital city of Mahé, with lively markets in Victoria, historical colonial buildings, fascinating tourist attractions, and sweeping sandy beaches on the island for your discovery. Easily accessible via a 20-minute ferry ride from Praslin is La Digue, another popular destination for visitors. Spend an eventful day sightseeing on the bicycle; capture unforgettable pictures on the renowned beach on Anse Source d’Argent; catch a glimpse of the endangered Black Paradise Flyercatcher native to the island; observe the famous giant tortoises, followed by a unhurried stroll around the copra plantations at L’Union Estate. For a fun-filled day on a nearby island, take a short 10-minute taxi boat ride from Raffles Praslin to Curieuse. Some of the activities conducted on the island include trekking along the mangrove swamps with the park rangers, bird watching or snorkeling around the coral reefs. 

On Praslin, the Raffles team is on hand to assist with the planning of the most unforgettable private dining experiences at any imaginable locations on the island or in the privacy of the resort. Savour a gastronomic meal atop the granite boulders or a family picnic on the pristine beaches, the varied landscape of the island offers countless outdoor dining venues with excellent tropical ambiance and romance.

Immerse in the tranquil oasis at Raffles Praslin delighting in a complete spa indulgence at the Raffles Spa. Nestled amidst lush greenery and luxuriant grounds, the spa offers a myriad of spa treatments and services, ranging from rejuvenating body massages and deep cleansing facials to uplifting hair and beauty services. The stunning vistas from every window within the 13 intricately-designed treatment pavilions grant an added dimension to the enlightening spa journey for one to embark on. The Spa Pavilion provides the perfect enclave for the meditative discipline of yoga with a private instructor or at your leisure.

The Sugar Palm Club ensures that the young residents enjoy their vacation as much as their parents, if not more. Featuring an ever-changing range of activities from arts and crafts to snorkeling with turtles, the recreation team at the kids’ club will bring hours of fun for young ones including toddlers, children and teenagers.

Introductory Special
In celebration of its opening, Raffles Praslin offers guests a range of inclusions in its introductory special. Until 30^th April 2011, guests making reservations on the resort’s Best Available Rate will enjoy round-trip airport transfers, buffet breakfast for two, 60-minute Raffles Spa treatment for two and a complimentary visit to a local attraction. A minimum length of stay of 4 nights is required. [email protected]

For high resolution images, please visit www.leonardo.com/raffles

ABOUT RAFFLES HOTELS & RESORTS
Raffles Hotels & Resorts epitomises enchanting experiences, embodying global sophistication and residential charm, imbued with heartfelt service “like a gentle breeze”. At Raffles, guests arrive as residents, leave as friends and return as family.

Raffles’ relentless pursuit of service excellence has earned its hotels and resorts a legion of international accolades, including Condé Nast World’s Best Places to Stay and Travel & Leisure World’s Best Awards. Its flagship Raffles Hotel Singapore was voted Best Hotel in Asia for four consecutive years by readers of Ultratravel magazine by The Daily Telegraph while Raffles Beijing Hotel was named Best Luxury Hotel by Travel Weekly China in 2009. In addition, Raffles Hotels & Resorts is consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 hotel brands in the annual Condé Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards. 

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 98 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties. For more information, please visit www.raffles.com

Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ award-winning collection of legendary hotels includes:

1. Raffles Hotel, Singapore
2. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
3. Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
4. Raffles Beijing Hotel, China
5. Raffles Dubai, United Arab Emirates
6. Raffles Tianjin, China
7. Raffles Makkah Palace, Saudi Arabia
8. Raffles Paris – Le Royal Monceau (2010)

Future Additions include:

1. Raffles Praslin, Seychelles
2. Raffles Makati, Philippines
3. Raffles Sanya, Qingshui Bay, China
4. Raffles Konottaa, Maldives
5. Raffles Jakarta, Indonesia