Paradise Sun Hotel

You stay at Paradise Sun on Cote d'Or beach in Praslin, at the quiet end of a two-kilometer stretch of white sand bordered by granite boulders. The hotel's seventy Creole-style bungalows sit among tropical gardens, with St Pierre Island visible from the shore. Breakfast is served poolside; lunch and dinner come from the beachfront restaurant, where the menu includes Creole curries and seafood.

The dive center organizes trips to nearby sites, and the spa uses local ingredients in its treatments. The beach itself is the main attraction — long enough for walks at low tide, with calm water for swimming. Families fill the property during school holidays, while couples take the bungalows for honeymoons.

Praslin is small enough to explore by bicycle or on foot, with the Vallée de Mai nature reserve a short drive inland. The hotel can arrange boat trips to neighboring islands, including La Digue. Most guests arrive by air from Mahé or by ferry.