Part of Constance, a small Indian Ocean hotel group, and a member of Relais & Chateaux, Constance Lémuria Resort is a large, luxury complex on Praslin's unspoilt north-west coast.

Opened in December 1999, Lémuria has grown in reputation and remains one of Praslin's flagship top-end properties. The quality and style of its architecture and accommodation, its extensive guest facilities and a simply stunning stretch of coastline making it a perennially popular choice, particularly with French and Italian guests.

Spread over a beautiful 101 hectares of intricate waterways, lush forest, three powder sand beaches and a spectacularly manicured 18-hole golf course, Lémuria's 105 ocean-facing suites and villas make this the island's largest property. However, the sheer size of the landscaped grounds and assorted public areas give a great sense of space and far from a large resort feel.

The majority of Lémuria's rooms are classed as Junior Suites, which is the resort's entry-level accommodation offering. Housed in double-storey buildings of timber and pink granite, these 52 sq.m contemporary rooms offer understated luxury with spacious arrangements, stylish decors and a good array of mod-cons. Sloping headboards make for easy recling or TV viewing in bed; studded shutters separate the bedroom and bathroom and delicate purple throws inject a touch of colour. All rooms the rooms have a sofa, minibar and separate jacuzzi jet bath/shower, effective timber horizontal blinds and a reasonably sized terrace or balcony. For better sea-views opt for the first floor, whilst for quick sea access, the ground floor is the place.

The 8 Senior Suites (115 sq. m) are broadly the same as Junior Suites but include an additional large lounge/dining area with coffee machine and adjoining shower room, a beach shower on the larger terrace and a whirlpool bath in the master bedroom. The lounge area in these rooms can be converted into an extra bedroom for a child, whilst still affording plenty of space and privacy.

The suites are all within 15 metres of the sea and though the view can be restricted by vegetation from the ground-floor rooms, the opportunity for a quick dip is literally on the doorstep. Equally, regardless of category, every room includes air-conditioning, a ceiling fan, bathroom with bath, twin vanity unit, separate shower and toilet, hairdryer, lounge area, complimentary internet & WIFI access, a mini-bar, safe, satellite TV/DVD/CD player, telephone and tea/coffee station.

At the southern tip of Anse Kerlan, the eight Lemuria Villas (725 sq. m) are large two bedroom villas offering exclusive beachfront accommodation. Both en-suite bedrooms open directly onto the gardens and sandy shore beyond, and there's also an outdoor bath, good-size lounge with TV and Playstation (free of charge on request) and direct access to an outdoor dining area for moonlit dinners. Outdoor pleasures continue with a private pool and a personal massage pavilion. Guests in the villas also enjoy the services of a Villa Masters, a member of staff assigned to take care of your every need.

For Lemuria's ultimate accommodation option, the singular Presidential Villa (1250 sq. m) offers three en-suite bedrooms, including a master bedroom which boasts an terrace bathroom with private Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath. There are two additional suites, a lounge and dining room and an indulgent three pools with steps to a section of private beach too a private beach. Should you require them, a fully equipped office, private butler, chef and security are all included in a stay here.

At the centre of Lémuria accommodation, the main building is surrounded by dense tropical trees and huge granite glacis, many of which have been incorporated into the construction and overall design. The construction and interior design is very refined with timber, locally sourced granite, thatch and natural fabrics in frequent use. From the expansive reception entrance, the 3-tier naturally-formed swimming pool comes into view (complete with swim up circular bar and enormous, smooth glacis).

Passing down the Travertine steps beside the black slate waterfall, the first of the resort's superb beaches can be admired: Anse Petit Kerlan. For further investigation, Anse Georgette is terrific for picnics (though strong currents make swimming unadvisable) and Grande Anse Kerlan stretches for miles and offers great swimming and sunbathing.

Lémuria Resort offers a great selection of French, Creole and international cuisine. Its three restaurants, each well located with cracking views; offer a choice of ambiance, formality and cuisines. Light bites are available throughout the day and both a la carte and buffet menus are available every night, while for an aperitif or after dinner dram, the Legend Bar is a sophisticated hangout at any time. There are also 3 PCs and a WiFi hotspot here, as well as a DVD and book library.

After indulging, an array of free resort activities is available at Lémuria: tennis (2 floodlit courts), windsurfing, hobie cat sailing, snorkelling, pedalos, kayaks, single-handed dinghies and mountain bikes. Some do incur supplementary charges though, including scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, golf and any sporting lessons – both terrestrial and sub-aqua.

The Boathouse above Petite Anse Kerlan houses the watersports equipment and PADI dive centre. The dive centre is open daily from 10am and offers a number of dive packages and courses. There are 2-3 instructors and both French and English are spoken. Private boat charters and watersports lessons can also be arranged here.


One of Lemuria's greatest assets for sports' lovers is its challenging 18-hole championship golf course, the only one in the Seychelles. The par 70 circuit opened in October 2000, covering an area of 5,556 m, and has tested both professionals and amateurs in the years since. Stretching from Grande Anse to Anse Georgette, its twists and turns, climbs and drops are spectacular even to the uninitiated and offer breathtaking vistas whether you walk the course or simply drive its route in a golf buggy. For those who wish to play (fees apply), equipment can be hired or the Club House golf shop (open 7am-7pm) sells a wide range golf requisites and sports clothes.

For something more obviously indulgent, the large 'Spa de Constance' (open 9.30am-9pm) is located beside the Club House and tennis courts, surrounded with impressive bamboo. The massage and beauty products and equipment used are all Shiseido branded, whilst the nine therapists hail from India, Mauritius and Indonesia. In both indoor and warm open-air rooms, a comprehensive range of treatments is available ranging from hot oshiboris (towels) for facials and body treatments to Swedish massage, hydrotherapy and Indian Ayurvedic techniques.

In addition there is a hairdresser, sauna, steam bath, plunge pool and very nice gym, complete with a good range of 'Life Fitness' cardiovascular machines and accompanying music and DVDs. On departure, be sure to visit the fantastically scented and indulgent shop. For general wellbeing, yoga is practiced at 8am from Monday to Friday and meditation at 4pm on Sundays.

To conclude, although certainly at the pricier end of Praslin's hotels, if you want a luxurious place to stay that you never have to leave - but need enough going on to please all the family, Lémuria Resort should be top of your list!

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Beach

No. of bedrooms: 105

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: 3 nights or longer

Geographics

Location: Praslin Island, Seychelles

Directions: If you're arriving by plane (approx 20mins from Mahe), Lémuria is a short 5-10 min drive from the airport. Alternatively, if you arrive by ferry in Baie St Anne from either Mahe or La Digue, you can follow the clearly marked signs from the jetty towards Vallee de Mai and Grande Anse, before turning right along the coastal road to its very end. This drive will taek approximately 30 minutes. Car hire can be arranged to meet you either the port of airport, or the hotel will arrange a meet-and-greet transfer.

Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Half Board

Food quality: There are three restaurants within the resort grounds: The Legend, The Seahorse and The Beach Bar & Grill. The Legend (Breakfast 7.15am-10.30am; Lunch 12-4pm; Dinner 7-10pm) is Lémuria's largest dining facility with a capacity of 120. Located in the main building, its terrace overlooks Petit Anse Kerlan (idyllic at sunset!) and is the venue for the daily breakfast buffet, light European lunches, and themed evening events, be they buffet or a la carte in style. For a more formal affair, The Seahorse (Lunch 12-6pm; Dinner 7-10pm), overlooking the picturesque 11th green of the golf course, offers silver-service, French fine dining. The Beach Bar & Grill (Lunch 12-6pm; Dinner 7-10pm), boasts a simply superb view of Petit Anse Kerlan from its raised, open-air promontory location. Here, a casual atmosphere, ocean breeze and an eclectic, à la carte seafood and international menu make leisurely lunches and dinner under the stars a memorable experience. The main bar, Legend Bar (8am – wee small hours) is located in the central building. It's wood paneling, chocolate brown spinning fans, low seating, warm glow, nightly funky jazz music give it a laid-back vibe. Its open-sides with views into the tree canopy and below to the natural lily pond and glacis are as enjoyable as its fresh cocktails.

Dining style: Inidividual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: Room service is available.

Drinks included: Drinks are not included.

Special interests

Family holidays: Lémuria Resort's superb seaside location coupled with its professional 'Turtle Club' for children aged 4-12, make it one of our most family-friendly properties. From child-minding to its sheltered coves, kids' menus to sheer space, Lemuria has all the ingredients for great family holiday. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for family holidays in Seychelles

Beach holidays: With three stunning beaches surrounding Lémuria Resort, guests here are spoilt for choice. Anse Georgette is picture-perfect and especially idyllic when a tempting picnic hamper is delivered; Petite Anse Kerlan offers calm cove conditions while it's neighbouring big brother, Grande Anse Kerlan, seems to stretch for miles in a sweeping curve of fine sand and turquoise waters. For ocean lovers, there's really something for everyone. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for beach holidays in Seychelles

Children

Attitude towards children: Children are warmly welcomed at Lémuria and the resort is fully geared to ensuring guests of all ages have a great stay.

Age restrictions: None.

Activities: The impressively kitted-out 'Turtle Club' is Lémuria's professionally staffed children's club. Located at the centre of the resort, it welcomes children aged 4 to 12 years from 9am to 9pm daily. Enclosed behind the low fence, there's a colourful games room, a cool nap area, a shaded, shallow pool, an outdoor playground with swings and climbing equipment, and a low-level dining area for meal times.A variety of supervised indoor and outdoor activities are organised daily and parents are provided with a breakdown of what their child has done on any given day.The staff here are professionally trained, registered child-minders and are also be available for babysitting on request (surcharge applies – approx €8/hr from 6am-12am and €12/hr from midnight ). Without question, this is the best children's club we feature.

Equipment: Cots, high chairs and extra beds for young children can be provided.

Generally recommended for children: Yes – we certainly do recommend this resort for families. The beach is glorious, the kids' club excellent and the availability of babysitting easy.

Notes: Naturally, supervision is required at all times in near the sea, inland ponds and swimming pool. In addition, there are many open-sided public areas with steep drops due to the undulating nature of building on glacis (granite boulders). For this reason, parents must be vigilant when walking around with young or unpredictable children.

Central communications

Power supply: Mains Electricity

Communications: There is an IDD telephone in each guest room and mobile phone reception is good. Internet and WiFi access is also standard.

TV & radio: Satellite channels on televisions and DVD players are available in all guest rooms.

Health & safety

Malarial area: No

Medical care: There is a first aid kit and trained staff on the property and for more serious incidents, Praslin Hospital in Baie St. Anne offers health care services 24 hours a day. There is an ambulance available, helicopter for emergency transfers to Victoria Hospital on Mahé (daylight flights only), and medical staff here speak French, English and Creole.

Extras

Laundry facilities: Full Laundry Service - Extra Charge

Accepted payment: Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Diners) are all accepted.

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