Raffles opens a new all-villa resort on the north-eastern tip of the island of Praslin in the Seychelles, famed for its Unesco World Heritage Site, the Valle de Mai.
This is the legendary hotel company's first resort with its first Raffles Signature Spa, inspired by the local Black Pearl. Pearls are a recurring spa theme here with mother of pearl chandeliers and a signature pure pearl treatment.
The 30-acre resort's 86 villas will be set around Anse Takamaka, part of a marine national park which is home to turtles and black parrots.
Wilson Associates, the architects behind such hotels as the Armani Hotel Dubai and various Four Seasons, designed the light-filled villas set back from the beach on the hillside which have outdoor "private" showers, plunge pools, a 24-hour butler, and the library is stocked with Macs, iPads, books and DVDs.
If the azure sea view wanes, smoke a shisha pipe on the resort's rooftop Takamaka Terrace. Guest can arrive in style, by speedboat or helicopter.
Villas from £602 B&B (until October, stay five nights for the price of four), raffles.com