Hillside pool villas above a calm bay
Raffles is where we place couples on Praslin, especially between May and September, when the trade winds make some beaches choppy. Every villa has its own pool and view of the bay; the Vallée de Mai's coco de mer forest and Anse Lazio are a short drive away, and La Digue is an easy day trip.
From May to September the south-east trade winds bring rough water and seaweed to exposed beaches. We choose hotels on the sheltered side for those months.
Three nights is right — enough for the Vallée de Mai, a day on La Digue and time at the villa.