Le Duc de Praslin

Le Duc de Praslin sits on gorgeous grounds with a beautiful
garden filled with tropical plants and flowers, palm trees, fish ponds, and
waterfalls. Over 100 varieties of orchids make this a locally famous corner,
and the garden is also home to giant tortoises. Open-air architecture houses
the resort’s common areas and guests are greeted in a cheery, tropical lobby
where wooden floors, ceilings, and furniture are paired with pale lime-green
walls. Potted plants and wooden seating padded with lime-colored cushions add
an even bigger dose of the jolly green hue. The hotel’s restaurants have a
similar style, with wood-centric furnishings and decor, while the lounge offers a sleeker place to kick back, with white sofas
and cool, circular rattan seating. Most guests are couples drawn to the lush, romantic atmosphere, though families and small groups also come for the roomy villas.

The hotel is situated on lovely grounds with gardens near
the Cote d’Or Beach on Praslin Island. Though not directly beachfront, it's only a quick two-minute walk across the road. There
are a couple of hotels and resorts in the immediate area, as well as some
restaurants within a 10-minute walk. The Praslin Museum is a 15-minute walk from the hotel (or two minutes away by car), while Praslin
National Park is an eight-minute drive. The main sights on the island consist of other beaches: Anse Lazio is just under 10 minutes away by car, while Anse Georgette will take about 20 minutes to reach. Praslin
Island Airport is about a 20-minute drive, while the Praslin Marina is a
six-minute drive from the hotel. The island can be accessed by a daily ferry or flights
from Mahé.

These bright and airy rooms have pleasant contemporary
decor that varies a bit, but includes wooden and rattan furnishings as well
as bright pops of color. Some rooms have vibrantly colored walls and textiles
like bed runners, pillows, and seat cushions, while others are more toned down
with intermittent bursts of bold hues that pair well with white walls, dark
furnishings, and a mostly neutral color palette. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, coffee/tea facilities, minibars, air-conditioning, and electronic safes, as
well as large terraces with double sun-beds. Wi-Fi is free, though the signal can be weak. Many bathrooms have both walk-in showers and soaking tubs, plus
some of the suites add outdoor showers in private gardens as well. Family Rooms
have living rooms and large terraces as well as added amenities like stocked, full
refrigerators and microwaves.

Spacious, self-contained villas are also available,
including the three-bedroom Maison, which has a living room, kitchen, and dining room, as
well as a four-bedroom villa with two kitchens and an infinity pool with incredible sea views. Free car rental is included with villa bookings.

The hotel offers two lovely outdoor pools surrounded by padded loungers plus a children's area. The
environmentally friendly, chlorine-free pools use a blend of natural ocean
minerals, which, according to the hotel, makes for superior water quality and such benefits as soft,
smooth, and detoxed skin. Guests wishing to indulge in some pampering can
do so at the small spa, which offers massages and other treatments.

There are two restaurants, one of which is on-site and one of which is at the beach. Le Dauphin is the on-site option, serving Creole and international fare with nightly themes. Cafe des Arts is a
fine-dining seafood restaurant with a casual vibe that sits right on the beach, a two-minute walk from the hotel. There’s also a poolside bar and lounge, plus a breakfast buffet is available daily at Le Dauphin for a fee. Food and drinks are
pricey, but bed-and-breakfast and half-board rates are available. Other on-site amenities include a
small boutique selling clothing, beach gear, souvenirs, and essentials. A
variety of excursions can also be booked (for a fee), such as snorkeling trips,
tours to nearby islands, and fishing trips. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, but it's not the best.