DESROCHES ISLAND, Seychelles (June 15, 2006)  It’s a dream made up of white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and cerulean water. A privileged retreat: upscale without pretense, spectacular but understated, and definitely unspoiled by the maddening crowds. A small island some five miles long and less than a mile wide but with 11 miles of virgin, palm-fringed beaches Desroches is part of the Amirantes Archipelago, one of several that make up the legendary Seychelles. Tucked away on this pristine paradise, the Desroches Island Resort is one of Naïade Resorts’ collection of exquisite properties in the Seychelles, Maldives and Mauritius, three of the most glorious destinations in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of Africa.
Vacations in paradise start at $487 to $807, single, for a junior suite that’s 20 percent off the standard published rates. Stays at the Desroches Island Resort include accommodation in an air-conditioned junior suites, breakfast, lunch, dinner plus free use of non-motorized water sport facilities.
Desroches Island Resort is a collection of colonial-style villas that house twenty elegant suites that come with as much comfort as they do excellent service. The lush landscape fills the air with the fragrance of exotic blooms as guests walk from their mosquito-netted king-sized beds across polished wood floors to their ample verandas. Coffered ceilings with fans and air conditioning keep the bungalows cool in the afternoon heat, a welcome respite after a day of biking or snorkeling under the island sun. Bathrooms are large and airy with double sinks and outdoor tubs and showers, where guests can bathe in their own private jungle.
At the Restaurant Le Veloutier the chef creates mouth-watering Creole and French dishes with fresh local produce and the catch of the day, served under a thatched roof with a view of the pool area and the ocean beyond. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are also prepared at the beach restaurant, where patrons can enjoy buffets or an intimate candlelit dinner for two all while wiggling their toes in the fine white sand. By the pool, the bartender at L’Amirante whips up tropical concoctions under a coconut palm with a side of stunning sunset.
Small as it is, there’s much to do on Desroches though of course, the luxury of doing nothing at all can be just as appealing. Chaise lounges are placed around the pool area and on the sand. Looking for a bit more excitement? The turquoise lagoon awaits snorkelers and windsurfers, coconut groves are ready for a morning bicycle ride, and the island village welcomes visitors. The onsite floodlit tennis court competes with deep-sea fishing and superlative diving at the island’s magnificent sites the best in the Seychelles.
Afterwards, the Coconut Spa’s Balinese therapists will work their magic on your body and soul with their traditional Asian massage techniques and treatments. Reflexology, beauty treatments, essential oils and exotic aromas combine to tempt your senses into an even more exalted state of relaxation.
For more information and a tantalizing peek at the Desroches Island Resort, visit www.naiaderesort.com. Make your reservations by calling Mahen Jeebun at the Central Reservation Department on Mauritius at (00 230) 698-22-22, or via e-mail at reservation.CRO@naiade.com.
