HERE in the world can you have breakfast with a bright orange breast Madagascan Fody? For birdwatchers and the beau monde, the Seychelles is an Indian Ocean escape where luxury is always close at hand. Think Raffles Praslin Seychelles, and faster than you could say “24-hour butler”, a 15-minute flight from the capital Mahé and a short drive will bring you to this 30-hectare resort.

The 86 contemporary villas, each with a plunge pool, spill down a hillside towards a sheltered bay and turquoise waters fringed by white sand. They are extraordinarily welcoming of light. Grand views do not need to be cajoled. Simply throw open the curtains. Pick from spacious Hillside, Oceanview, or Panoramic Villas commanding magnificent views or splash out on a two-bedroom Raffles Beachfront Villa Suite.

The Oceanview Villas have suntrap balconies looking out towards the rocky Curieuse Island, while the Hillside Villas are hidden among the greenery and offer outdoor rain showers. As well as offering a Raffles Spa with an array of wellness options, two infinity pools, yoga, and a good variety of bars and restaurants for the cognoscenti, this hotel doubles as a top Seychelles family resort with child-friendly features like the Sugar Palm Kids' Club with ample distractions for toddlers and teenagers.

Workaholics can slip into video-conferencing mode but to truly enjoy the place and the moment, think romance and a Seychelles beach wedding. Laid back Praslin Island offers Creole architecture and meticulously clipped hibiscus hedgerows lining tidy roads. Explore the pristine green of Vallée de Mai or dip underwater to marvel coral formations in the Curieuse National Marine Park. And there’s always the birds.