Raffles Seychelles

Raffles Seychelles: A Glimpse into Paradise on Praslin Island

Raffles Seychelles, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a luxurious escape on Praslin Island, blending contemporary elegance with the natural beauty of the Seychelles. This all-villa resort is celebrated for its stunning design, exceptional service, and breathtaking ocean views, making it a top choice for discerning travelers and honeymooners.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Raffles Seychelles is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as a "dream vacation" and "paradise on earth." It consistently receives high ratings for its location, cleanliness, and comfort, scoring an average of 8.5 out of 10 on various platforms. While some minor drawbacks exist, the overall sentiment points towards a very good to exceptional luxury experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise Raffles Seychelles for several standout features:

• Stunning Design & Architecture: The resort, designed by Ross Macbeth and with interiors by Wilson & Associates, seamlessly blends modern elegance with tropical practicality and Seychellois charm. The architecture emphasizes seamless indoor-outdoor living, harmonizing with Praslin's landscapes.
• Private Pool Villas: All 86 villas boast private plunge pools and outdoor pavilions, offering unparalleled privacy and breathtaking views of the ocean or lush gardens.
• Exceptional Service: The "legendary Raffles service" is often highlighted, with staff noted for being friendly, welcoming, and attentive. An efficient buggy service is available 24/7 to navigate the hilly terrain.
• World-Class Amenities: The resort features a 45-meter infinity pool, one of the largest in the Indian Ocean, a lavish spa with outdoor treatment rooms, a fitness center, and a kids' club. Complimentary kayaks and snorkeling gear are available at Anse Takamaka Beach.
• Proximity to Anse Lazio: The hotel is closely located to Anse Lazio, renowned as one of the world's most beautiful beaches, just a 15-minute drive away.

3. Room Quality

Each of Raffles Seychelles' 86 villas is considered a masterpiece of design, blending modern elegance with Seychellois charm. Rooms are spacious, air-conditioned, and designed for luxurious indoor-outdoor living. They feature king beds, full-length windows, private plunge pools, outdoor pavilions, and outdoor rain showers. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and Nespresso coffee machines. Guests particularly appreciate the spaciousness, breathtaking views, and well-appointed bathrooms with soaking tubs. However, some guests have noted "slightly dangerous steps" in the bedroom.

4. Dining Experience

Raffles Seychelles offers a diverse and exquisite culinary journey across its six restaurants and lounges.

• Losean Restaurant: The main dining venue, offering a lavish breakfast buffet with tropical fruits, smoothie stations, and vegan specialties. It also serves contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with Indian Ocean influences for dinner.
• Curieuse: Specializes in Pan-Asian flavors, taking guests on a gastronomic journey through India, China, and Southeast Asia. It also houses the "Sushi Room" for fresh sushi and sashimi.
• Pool Restaurant & Bar: Provides a casual yet refined setting for lunches, refreshing smoothies, and light bites.
• In-Villa Dining: Private meals can be arranged, including romantic beachfront dinners, starlit picnics, or floating breakfasts. Guests generally praise the food quality and choices, especially the breakfast selection. However, some mentioned that buffet dinners can be average and the menu might become repetitive for longer stays.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Raffles Seychelles is often described as world-class and attentive, with staff going "above and beyond" to ensure guest satisfaction. Many guests highlight the friendly and helpful nature of the personnel, with specific mentions of staff members who provided exceptional guidance and experiences. The 24/7 buggy service for navigating the hilly resort is also frequently commended for its efficiency. Despite the generally high praise, some guests have experienced inconsistencies in service, occasionally finding it less proactive than expected for a hotel of Raffles' reputation and price point.

6. Location & Accessibility

Raffles Seychelles is situated on the north-eastern top of Praslin Island, nestled on Anse Takamaka Beach. Praslin is the second-largest granite island in Seychelles and is easily accessible via a 15-minute flight from Mahe International Airport. The resort's hillside location offers stunning panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding lush greenery. Beyond the immediate resort, key attractions like the UNESCO World Heritage site Vallée de Mai and the renowned Anse Lazio beach are nearby. Curieuse Island, home to giant tortoises, is also a 15-minute ferry ride away. While the location is beautiful, the resort's hilly nature means buggy service is frequently needed for transportation around the property.

7. Value & Pricing

Raffles Seychelles is a luxury property, and its pricing reflects this. As of February 14, 2026, prices for a 1-night stay for two adults start from approximately $1,199.56, excluding taxes and fees. Guests generally consider it a high-end experience, with some reviews indicating that while the hotel is luxurious, the "value for money" score can be around 7.4 out of 10. Some guests feel that for the price paid, service levels could be more consistently attentive.

8. Common Complaints

While the overall experience is highly rated, some recurring criticisms and issues include:

• Narrow Beach: The resort's own Anse Takamaka Beach, while lovely, can be narrow and almost fully covered during high tide, lacking the expansive feel of other Seychellois beaches.
• Privacy Concerns: Due to the hilly and somewhat densely built nature of the resort, privacy can vary between villas, with some lower-end villas potentially overlooking other areas or decks. Guests are advised to request villas on the outer edges for complete seclusion.
• Inconsistent Buggy Service: Although generally efficient, some guests have reported delays and inconsistencies in the buggy service.
• Dining Repetitiveness & Service Speed: For longer stays, the menu options, especially at buffet dinners, can become repetitive. Occasional slow service in restaurants has also been mentioned.
• Ongoing Renovations: Some guests noted ongoing construction or soft refurbishments in public areas, which, while intended to be minimally disruptive, can still impact the experience.
• Pool Maintenance: A few reviews mentioned that pools, both private and main, could benefit from better maintenance, with reports of sharp tile edges.

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