Paradise Sun break

Paradise Sun

Our rating: First Class

Rooms

The 80 rooms are set in two-story, wooden buildings that stretch through the gardens along the beachfront in a semi-circle formation. There’s a rustic feel to the décor with reclaimed stone walls, polished wooden floors and hand-made furniture. Locally-sourced artwork graces the walls and each room has traditional wooden shutters that open out onto a balcony or terrace.

Location

Paradise Sun is set on Cote D’Or Beach, one of the Seychelles’ best, on the island of Praslin. The long sweep of white sand is ideal for a long stroll and with only a few other resorts scattered along its 2.5 km (1.5 miles), it’s surprisingly quiet. Located at the end of the beach as the bay curves round, the hotel is protected by granite rocks that protrude into the sea.

The airport is a 20-minute drive away, and if you’re island-hopping, the jetty is a 15-minute drive. Just 20 minutes’ walk away there’s a choice of local restaurants and a couple of shops.

Food and drink

The hotel’s main restaurant, St Pierre Beach Restaurant, is set on the beachfront with tables set into the sand. It serves à la carte lunch and snacks along with a buffet dinner with a theme that changes nightly. With your feet set in the sand and the sound of the sea as you eat, this open-air restaurant has a relaxed, island vibe. There’s often a live band in the evening.

The other restaurant is found next to the pool and serves a buffet breakfast and complimentary afternoon tea.

Families

Paradise Sun welcomes families, but please note there are no specific children’s facilities. However, if there are several children in the resort at the same time they often arrange activities for them. Babysitting services are available.

Facilities and activities

Paradise Sun offers a wide range of activities and facilities with much more choice than most of the hotels on Praslin. Water sports include snorkeling, body boards, kayaks and paddle boards. In addition there’s also volleyball, swing ball, boules, table tennis and bicycles to hire.

The hotel runs a complimentary sunset cruise weekly for guests, which we recommend booking in advance. Twice a week you can take a nature walk around the grounds of the hotel to learn more about the island’s foliage and abundant birdlife.

The small spa is tucked away toward the back of the hotel among the trees. They have two single treatment rooms with a separate outdoor shower area as well as one double room. The therapists are trained in Bali and offer a range of Balinese and traditional massages as well as manicures and pedicures.

The hotel’s on-site dive center, Whitetip Divers, offers introductory dives in their training pool as well as PADI certification courses. There is a range of dive sites nearby — some just five-minutes’ boat ride away. The scattering of granite boulders and islets offshore make for some interesting dives, with sponges and hard coral clinging to their steep walls.

Local excursions

Paradise Sun can help arrange trips to explore the area including arranging snorkeling trips to nearby islands. You can also visit Cote D’Or village or take cycling tours around the island.