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Denis Island is a dreamy coral cay surrounded by radiant aquamarine waters which lap empty white beaches. Refreshingly, with no TV or mobile coverage, it is the perfect refuge from the stresses of 21st century living, combining easy going elegance with a distinctly relaxed ambience. Lush tropical forests cover the crescent shaped island, teeming with rare, endemic birdlife, while beyond the coral reef the deep Seychelles Bank provides world class fishing.
Denis Island is privately owned and makes no pretence of being a resort; its charm lies in the intimate service and seclusion afforded by remaining small and intimate. Spacious villas, tucked into the groves of casuarina and coconut trees that border the beach, are decorated with the casual island style that characterises this heavenly escape. Accommodation has been recently refurbished. Lazing on a shady terrace, daybed or sun lounger by the lagoon makes for a sublimely calming atmosphere which is almost impossible to resist.
Denis Island's restaurant has a large outdoor dining area, a sociable bar overlooking the beach and pool and a wine cellar with a table for private tastings. Food is a high point; breakfast a wonderful mélange of patisserie, English fortification and exotic tropical fruits. Flamboyant lunches feature fish so fresh that catch of the hour is almost more appropriate than catch of the day. Dinner is an explosion of flavours brilliantly combining international themes with Créole overtones.
Deciding how to spend the long sunny days is perhaps the most stressful element of a stay here. Denis Island has strong conservation practices and guests strolling through the nature reserve may observe reintroduced birdlife, and turtles nesting on the beaches, as well as giant tortoises, who occasionally break out of their enclosure to be seen munching the beautiful gardens. Playing an informal game of tennis is popular, but then so is dedicated beach dwelling. Water sports include fabulous snorkelling, scuba diving, and windsurfing. The game fishing is exceptional; where the ocean bed plunges thousands of metres, deep-sea anglers regularly catch dogtooth tuna, bonito, marlin and sailfish. All in all, Denis Island is the kind of eco-paradise most people can only dream about. Relaxed yet idyllic, it is a perfect holiday waiting to happen.
Bailey Robinson
The Courtyard, Hungerford
Berkshire, RG17 0NF
t: +44 (0) 1488 689777
f: +44 (0) 1488 681973
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