This spacious yet intimate six-star hideaway on a leafy, east-coast peninsula is named after Prince Maurice Van Nassau, pioneer of the spice trade in the Indian Ocean. The rich, warm character of regional flavours and spices permeates the hotel’s cool, colonial architecture, and its fusion cuisine.

On a sheltered, natural leafy spit on the northeast coast, an arm of the hotel juts out into the mangroves with a view of far away mountains, and a few secluded white-sand beaches lie on the calm bay.

This calm, discreet and secluded Leading Hotel of the World oozes luxury, with 89 suites and villas under thatch spread across a generous 60 hectares of tropical greenery. The infinity pool is one of the loveliest on the island, with cabanas big enough for two.

 Guest comfort is a priority, and with almost two staff per guest, pampering is guaranteed. Discreet and charming staff go the extra mile to ensure a special experience, remembering details such as drink preferences, and adding personal touches in the rooms. The suites and villas, mostly under thatch, have parquet floors, orange hues and sunken baths. Some have direct access to the beach, and yet others, as big as houses, sit on stilts above the mangroves. The Princely Villa is one of the island’s most private, with its own beach, two pools, three terraces and round-the-clock butler.