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Cousine Island

Follow in the footsteps of Sir Paul McCartney & Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge

If you are seeking privacy and exclusivity and budget is not too much of a concern then Cousine Island is probably one of the most perfect locations anywhere in the world. This fairly small island is situated 6 kms off the coast of Praslin and is home to numerous migratory birds, Hawksbill and Green Turtles and, of course, Giant Tortoises. The island is completely free of alien mammals and so is also the perfect Private Nature Reserve. It is also classified as a Conservation Island. Accommodation is in 4 exceptionally luxuriously appointed villas set right by the beach with wonderful ocean views. Only 10 people at a time can be accommodated on the island and the design and location of each villa ensures the maximum privacy. Most of the building materials for the buildings were sourced locally and all the ingredients for the restaurant are similarly sourced locally to provide a wonderful Creole experience. The main building (called The Pavillion) has a dining area and overlooks the pool, the Indian Ocean and the islands of Praslin, Cousin and Aride in the distance. Boat excursions to other islands, diving and fishing can be arranged. There is a spa in the newly created Wellness Centre and there is also a gym. The beach extend for the full length of the island and a further one appears during the North West Monsoon season. Transfers can be arranged by helicopter from Mahe and Praslin airports.

Raffles, Anse Takamaka, Praslin

This a very special hotel with a setting that can only be described as paradise.

The setting is spectacular and unusual. Raffles occupies a commanding view over Anse Takamaka and the island of Curieuse. All the suites are large with a plunge pool and views over the bay. The accommodation is exceptionally luxurious and private. The rooms (and the bathroom) look out over your own private deck and the extraordinary scenery. The restaurant specialises in local dishes as well as an international menu and provides some of the best cuisine we have encountered in the Seychelles. The hotel has three restaurants, each with their own style of cuisine. The hotel also has a wonderful pool for those who just want to relax. You may also want to make ‘friends’ with the hotel’s own giant tortoises. The rooms are situated over a wide and elevated location and the hotel provides buggies to transport you around the property. You will see a myriad of colourful birds and we have even seen the reclusive tenrec (a type of cute, long snouted mouse) nesting in the bushes at twilight.

About the Location

The views are spectacular across crystal clear turquoise blue waters. In the distance, you will see the pristine and ecologically fascinating island of Curieuse. This is home to some of the World’s largest and oldest tortoises including one that is reputedly 300 years old! Trips to Curieuse can be arranged by the hotel. Concierge will also arrange scuba diving as well as snorkeling. If you don’t want to stray too far then snorkeling from the beach by the hotel will reward you with a myriad of remarkably tame fish. The hotel is situated on the far side of Praslin from the airport, which is approximately a 20-minute drive. You will also be close to the most photographed beach in the Seychelles – Anse Lazio. The beach is palm fringed with the characteristic rounded granite rocks and pristine almost pink sands. It is also easy to catch the ferry from Praslin for the short journey to the island of La Digue. In summary this is one of the most romantic locations that you will find anywhere in the world!

Le Vieux Cep, Cilaos

Family style hotel in the centre of this unusual island

A charming hotel with excellent facilities including a wellness centre. The hotel is quite large with 45 rooms including a few suites. The accommodation is tastefully decorated in a combination of local Creole and rural France style. Natural wood finishes are used extensively and although the standard rooms are quite small they are, nonetheless comfortable. The pool is an exceptional feature and the activities include mountain bikes. The restaurant is well regarded locally and is charmingly situated by the pool. The mountain views are among the best of any of the hotels in this area and each room is designed to maximise the view. Some English is spoken. The hotel caters for families.

About the location

Cilaos is one of the most spectacular locations on this extraordinary island. The views from the hotel are stunning and you are within walking distance of all this little, very French, town has to offer.

Hotel Le Cilaos, Cilaos

Simple but comfortable accommodation on the edge of this fascinating town

This is a medium sized, 24 roomed, country hotel. All the rooms have commanding views over the spectacular mountain scenery around Cilaos including the highest point on the island – Piton Les Nieges at 3,300 metres. The standard rooms are simple in decor but comfortable. The larger rooms are similar in style but with individual touches. Bathrooms, again, are fairly standard in size but reasonably equipped. There is a mini bar in the room. The hotel has an excellent pool and from here the views of the mountains are awe-inspiring. The hotel also has a sauna and wellness centre. The restaurant serves mainly buffet style food for breakfast and evening meals and this is a mixture of local and international cuisine – mainly French inspired. We would rate the food above average for the Island. English is spoken and we found the staff friendly and helpful. We would, however, warn that the hotel is built on many different levels and, common with most of Reunion, there is no porter service so you will be faced with carrying your own luggage often up fairly steep steps.

About the location

The hotel’s location is on the edge of town – approximately a 10-minute walk to the centre. This is a good base for hiking in the mountains and the hotel has details of the excellent and well-marked and maintained hiking trails in the area.

Le Boucan Canot, St. Gilles les Bains

Resort hotel in a great location on this unusual island

This large hotel has 44 rooms and suites including 38 standard rooms. The property has the aire of a resort style hotel with all the amenities you would expect. It is perfectly located on the main beach of the island and can be accessed relatively easily from the main airport.

About the Location

From here it is relatively easy to drive to the town of Cilaos perched high in the centre of this spectacular island. You can enjoy paragliding, mountain biking (for the fit!) and canyoning as well as deep sea fishing. The volcano is a 2 1/2 hour drive and then a long hike at 8,000 ft but you can also take a helicopter tour of the volcano and island. You would normally combine this hotel with others closer to some of the key tourist locations.

Blue Margouillat, St Leu, Reunion

Blue Margouillat is exquisitely located with sweeping views to the Indian Ocean and providing some of the best accommodation in La Reunion

Blue Margouillat is a small, 10 roomed, luxury boutique hotel. The hotel is part of the prestige Relais et Chateau Collection. All the rooms have commanding views over the Indian Ocean and each has its own private balcony from which you can enjoy the beautiful, tropical sunset. The rooms, although not particularly large, have been well designed and are comfortably appointed. We particularly liked the individual artwork incorporated as part of the wall decoration. The beautiful and colourful gardens incorporate a pool, floodlit at night, to enjoy or just relax beside with a cocktail from the pool bar. The restaurant serves some of the best food we have encountered on Reunion often on the terrace overlooking the pool and the ocean with soft classical music in the background. In the morning you will awake to the sound of exotic birds in the trees mixed with the sounds of the ocean.

About the location

From the hotel, you can drive into the mountain regions around Cilaos. This is a 2 1/2 hour drive along tortuous roads providing some of the most spectacular views on the island. You may want to use the hotel as a stylish base and combine it with a couple of nights in Cilaos. We also recommend taking an organised day tour to the volcanic southeastern side of the mountain where you will be able to walk out on lava flows by the sea that are still steaming! For the volcano, La Fournaise, we suggest a helicopter tour unless you are very fit and enjoy hiking at high altitudes. The beaches at St Gilles are a 30 minute drive away although there is a black, volcanic sand beach within walking distance of the hotel.

St Alexis, St Gilles les Bains

An unusual, luxurious hotel on the main beach of the island

This is one of the most unusual hotels we have encountered. From the time you enter the reception area with its model of the boat (St Alexis) that brought the French to Reunion) and underwater views of the pool, you know that this hotel is different. It is large with 58 rooms and suites of varying sizes and all on the ground floor have a terrace with direct access to the pool which winds its way around the hotel complex. Accommodation is spacious and decoration is sophisticated using cool and uncluttered schemes. Bathrooms are also larger than normal. There is direct access to a great beach, which has a semi private feel at the quieter end of this popular bay. There is an excellent restaurant serving a variety of well-prepared dishes at tables that are on a terrace overlooking the beach as well as inside. The hotel has gym and spa facilities in addition to several Jacuzzis located around the pool.

About the Location

Although the hotel fronts onto a busy street in popular St Gilles, once you are inside the hotel you are in a different world where you will be able to relax. From the hotel, you can drive into the mountain regions around Cilaos. This is a 3-hour drive along tortuous roads providing some of the most spectacular views on the island. You may want to use the hotel as a stylish base and combine it with a couple of nights in Cilaos. We also recommend taking an organised day tour to the volcanic southeastern side of the mountain where you will be able to walk out on lava flows by the sea that are still steaming! For the volcano, La Fournaise, we suggest a helicopter tour unless you are very fit and enjoy hiking at high altitudes.

Lavender Manor, Hermanus

A perfect location with beautiful rooms close to a beach

Lavender Manor is a small lodge with 9 rooms with a choice of mountain facing or sea facing aspects. It is close to the centre of Hermanus and the beach is just across the road. Each of the rooms is beautifully appointed and are very spacious. Decor is a blend between the traditional and modern but no expense has been spared in creating a truly captivating experience in this recently opened property. The bathrooms vary from large to huge and one of the bedrooms has superb views over the bay with the scope to be able to see whales in season. You will be guaranteed a personal touch and a very comfortable stay.

About the Location

Hermanus is a good location for seeing whales in the season which lasts from June to December. The area has some of the best land based whale watching anywhere in the world and you are also able to take a guided boat trip in order to see these wonderful mammals close up. The centre of Hermanus is a 5 minute drive and here you will find numerous great restaurants. The Hemel-en-Aarde wineries are a 20 minute drive away and is home to Hamilton Russell which is often as one of the top wineries in South Africa.

Agulhas Country Lodge, Cape Agulhas

Agulhas Country Lodge has one of the most romantic locations at the southern tip of Africa

Agulhas Country Lodge is positioned at the most southerly tip of Africa. The lodge is a beautiful limestone building furnished with antiques and South African art. The building has the air of a remote Scottish castle with original wood fittings rescued from historic properties in The Cape. Sit by a blazing log fire in the winter and read about some of the fascinating shipwrecks that have occurred (and are still occurring) along this notorious stretch of coastline. There are eight, large and sunny rooms and all have balconies and great sea views. Some rooms also have a Jacuzzi. As well as a sumptuous South African breakfast, dinner is included which always promises to be an experience.

About Agulhas Country Lodge’s Location

This is a great area for whale watching in season (June to December). An eco Quad Biking tour of the coastline and nearby nature reserve is an experience to remember in this interesting but often forgotten corner of South Africa. Visit the fascinating lighthouse which was modeled on the ancient Pharos of Alexandria. This is the third oldest lighthouse in South Africa and dates back to 1849. The lighthouse has a restaurant, museum and curio shop. Nearby Struisbaai has wide sandy beaches and old whitewashed fishermen’s cottages. More of these national heritage buildings can be found in Arniston and Waenhuiskrans which are a short drive away. Further inland are some more interestingly rural towns that have been ‘discovered’ by South African artists and entertainers. As this is just a 2 1/2 hour drive from Cape Town, the area is also being discovered by tourists. There is even a local wine route which are the southernmost wineries in Africa. There is also a 9 hole golf course in Bredasdorp which is the southernmost golf course in Africa.

Auberge Burgundy, Hermanus

Auberge Burgundy occupies a great location in the centre of this bustling and trendy seaside town

Auberge Burgundy is four star accommodation at its best set in the centre of Hermanus. The style of the hotel is just as the name suggests with echoes of laid back rural France. The 14 rooms and 5 suites are spacious and very comfortably appointed with soothing light tones to the decor. There is a roof top pool for relaxing when you just want to chill out rather than walk the short distance down to the beach. The poolside is a good option for those clients who enjoy easy pool access. The restaurant opposite used to be a part of the hotel and guests still eat breakfast here and can book for an excellent evening meal.

About Auberge Burgundy’s Location

The bustling town centre is close and sports a number of individual boutiques. Walker Bay is an excellent location to see Southern Right Whales between June and November. Humpback Whales can normally be viewed from August to December. Their presence is greeted by the colourful, and noisy, Hermanus Whale Crier. He pounds the streets of the town to inform the residents of the most recent orcadian residents in the bay! This location has a lot to offer even outside the whale season. There is shark cage diving close by in Gansbaai and Sea Kayaking can be arranged locally. For the super fit, Sandboarding on the dunes at Betty’s Bay (30 minute drive) can be fun! For those who enjoy more passive pursuits, a trip to the local wine route of Hemel-en-Aarde will be rewarding. Two of South Africa’s top wineries, Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson are located in this charming valley just 15 minutes from Hermanus. Township tours, Paragliding, Deep Sea Fishing and Horse Riding are among the many activities available.