Hotel rooms with private pools
RAFFLES, SEYCHELLES
Praslin, Seychelles, tel: 00248-429 6791, raffles.com/praslin
All suites in this resort have views of the crystal ocean that surrounds this second-largest island in the Seychelles, off the east coast of Tanzania and Kenya. It was once thought – due to its clean beaches and primeval forests – that this must have been the Garden of Eden. So there are high hopes for a heavenly stay on this northeastern tip of Praslin, where the backdrop is granite rocks and tropical greenery. The hotel fronts half a kilometre of white sandy beach, at Anse Takamaka bay, which flows into the Curieuse National Marine Park, offering a multicoloured underwater world to explore.
You fly into the neighbouring island of Mahe, from which you can either take a quick 15-minute plane ride or chug across on a 45-minute ferry.
Rooms: There are 86 villas, each with a private plunge pool, outdoor rain shower and large outdoor pavilion and sun decks. The one- and two-bedroom Villa Suites have barbecues and dining tables and day-beds in the pavilion. Doubles from €432.
FUSION MAIA, VIETNAM
Truong Sa Street, Khue My Ward, Da Nang City, Vietnam, tel: 0084-511 396 7999, fusionmaiadanang.com
Set within tropical gardens edged by granite walls and running along My Ke beach on the South China Sea, Fusion Maia has suites and villas with private pools screened by bundles of bamboo and red-brick walls – and awash with other aquatic treats such as free spa treatments, sunken baths and rain showers. More seclusion is promised by private courtyards and the spa has private jacuzzis. There’s also an infinity pool beside the fish restaurant.
Culture on this coast includes the city of Hoi An, with its 19th-century colonial architecture and cobblestone alleys, the Unesco heritage city of Hue, while walks in the My Son Hindu ruins come recommended.
Rooms: There are 87 villas and suites with private pools, terrazzo baths and gardens. There is a choice of one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. Doubles from $330 (€258).
JUMEIRAH VITTAVELI, MALDIVES
Bolifushi Island, South Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives, tel: 0096 066 420 20, jumeirah.com
You arrive by water and live by the water at this hotel on an island in the Maldives archipelago in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka. Transfer to the island resort, which is surrounded by sandy beaches, is across the clear blue sea via a 20-minute boat ride from Male airport. Once there, you reside in a room with a private pool and direct beach or lagoon access. Activities include canoeing, windsurfing, snorkelling and diving, where you will find that what lie beneath are exotic fish and a coral reef.
One of the hotel’s three restaurants serves fish and grilled meat by the beach. You can also do yoga on water, up on a dedicated platform between channels.
Rooms: There are 91 villas and suites. The 36 Beach Villas and eight Beach Suites – with glass-floored living area and round bath tubs – have private swimming pools, outdoor showers and private wine cellars. The over-water Lagoon Villas and Suites have direct access to the lagoon. Those who have cash to splash can stay in the 8,611 sq ft Presidential Suite with private beach, private jetty, roof terrace and personal chef and butler. Doubles from $790 (€618).