La Pointe Beach Hut

The huts and villas are comfortable and well thought out. Guests describe spacious, clean units with fans and air conditioning, fully equipped kitchens that include a dishwasher, washing machine and coffee machine, and laundry in the unit, so a longer or family stay is easy. Several are named, with the Hummingbird hut singled out for its own plunge pool, perfect for a final cool-off after a day at the beach, and daily housekeeping keeps everything spotless.

The setting seals the appeal. The beautiful beach is only a two minute walk across the road, with good snorkelling a stone's throw away, so the sea and the sand are effectively part of the stay. Between the private garden, the plunge pools and the beach on the doorstep, guests describe long, easy days of swimming, exploring and simply relaxing in the shade of the palms.

The hosting rounds it off warmly. Staff are described as wonderful, kind and attentive, guests were welcomed with a chilled coconut on arrival, and some even reported a free upgrade before they arrived. Practical details are covered too, with internet that reviewers found efficient and fast. Between the nature, the well-equipped huts, the beach and the genuine care, La Pointe earns its 4.7 as a private, characterful hideaway on a quieter corner of Praslin.

Anse Takamaka is a quiet, palm-fringed beach on the south-western coast of Praslin, a green and unspoilt stretch away from the busier resort beaches of the north-west. Backed by lush gardens and forest, it is a peaceful place with good snorkelling just offshore, and it sits close to the long bay of Grand Anse and the secluded cove of Anse Consolation further along the south coast. This is a part of Praslin best enjoyed at a slow pace, with a hire car useful for reaching restaurants and the island's headline sights, and the coco de mer palms of the Vallée de Mai, along with the celebrated beaches of Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, all within a manageable drive.