Deckenia

Villa Deckenia sits on Anse Gouvernement, a quiet cove on the island of Praslin in the Seychelles. It takes its name from the Deckenia palm, which grows nowhere else on earth, a fitting choice for a house designed to sit lightly in its natural surroundings.

The drive from Praslin's airport takes about 20 minutes and winds through the Vallée de Mai, the UNESCO-listed forest that is home to the legendary coco de mer palm. At the villa, steps lead down to the beach, where evenings end around a bonfire under the stars.

The main house has spacious living areas, a bar and a veranda, and opens onto an infinity pool with a sundeck facing the sea. Five air-conditioned bedrooms sleep up to ten guests, each with a king-size bed, an en-suite bathroom and a private terrace, and two have their own plunge pools. Paintings by Seychellois artists hang in the bedrooms, and a wine cellar has been built around granite boulders left in place.

Stays are full board, with an in-house chef preparing fresh seafood, Creole dishes and international cuisine, and a butler, housekeepers and gardener look after the villa. Kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling gear are included, and boat trips to La Digue, Félicité and the surrounding islands can be arranged.

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