I'm devoting a special blog to the Raffles Hotel on Praslin Island, Seychelles. It is a special type of resort monstrosity which deserves close attention because of the corporate, architectural and economic inhumanity it represents. The overriding ethic of its existence is maximization of profit - packing as much income-producing structure into the location as the terrain will bear. It is a design disaster because technical, mechanical solutions trapping the guest in isolation from nature far outweigh the development of a harmonious relationship with the environment.
How could it be otherwise when movement within the property is entirely dependent on electric vehicles taking guests to and from the villas mostly confined to the upper part of a large hill? Guests are, for the most part, at a great distance from the water and the beach. Of course, it has won the awards one expects from a grandiose project in which corporate accomplishment outweighs human values, such as
2014 World's Leading Luxury Villa Resort
I occupied one of its 86 villas, laid out on a high hillside overlooking a prototypical tropical bay. Walking to the beach, the pool, the restaurants and all the other amenities is out of the question. Basically, the functional parts of the hotel occupies the lower part of the hill. They are laid out in a bizarre, unnatural way which makes getting lost very easy. On one morning we encountered two Scottish women who could not find their way to breakfast.
Sure, the villa is over the top with a private infinity pool and a gigantic inside and outside area. But, believe it or not, I had to call for help one night because I couldn't shut off the bedside lamp. But that is minor compared to the restrictions on movement and the general awkwardness of the resort's layout.
Hopefully, I will have learned how to avoid such a place in the future.
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| Here we are approximately midway down the hill from our villa. Still a long and confusing way to go to beach etc. |
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| Entrance to villa from road. |
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| Bathroom, tub with view, indoor shower back right, outdoor shower through door |
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| Private pool seen from outdoor terrace area. |
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| Road on right leads up to villa. Feel like walking? |
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| Aimless architecture |
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| Reception area, approximately midway on the hill |
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| Down to one of the restaurants |
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| This conveys the feel of the public areas. |
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| Drawing a line from the upper right to the lower left approximately divides villas on upper part of hill from facilities on lower half. |
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| Terrace of villa |
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| Pool of villa |
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| View from beach area up to portion of villas. Cart does not bring guests here. |
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| On the road to villa |
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| On the road. Can you see yourself walking here? |
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| Swimming pool area above greenery. Villas way up. |
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| Raised bed area in villa with paper pad on easel in case inspiration strikes |
