TEMPTATION ISLANDS
Four picturesque Indian Ocean destinations perfect for lovers
THE Indian Ocean’s farflung islands have got us in the mood. Situated in the world’s warmest ocean and surrounded — hundreds of miles away — by Africa, India and Asia, these utterly secluded, tropical destinations have managed to up their allure with a wave of new and renovated oh-so-romantic resorts. Whether set in the jungle or mere feet behind pristine, winding white beaches and aquamarine waters, you’ll likely fall hard, whether you’re with your partner, friends or family.
MALDIVES
Upping the overwater-bungalow ante is Soneva Jani, which opened this fall on one of the Noonu Atoll’s many coral islands some 700 miles southwest of Sri Lanka (but far closer to its 20-year-old sister Maldivian retreat, Soneva Fushi). Each of Jani’s 25 one- to four-bedroom accommodations — which, attached by boardwalks, seem to curl over the crystal-clear waters of a nearly 3-square-mile lagoon — have a private pool, several with slides that drop you right into the water, and roofs that open for romantic evenings of stargazing. Should you want a closer look at the night sky, try out the observatory. During the day, you can snorkel, swim, go boating, visit the spa and let the staff set you up on a “castaway” picnic (from $1,870, Soneva.com).
MAURITIUS
Shangri-La’s $30 million renovation of Le Touessrok Resort & Spa on this island nation, located nearly 600 miles east of Madagascar, has 200 beachside water-view rooms and suites plus three beach villas. But the biggest draw for those seeking some sexy fun in the sun might be the private island off the resort’s shore, reserved for hotel guests, who are waited on by at-your-service beach butlers. Hong Kong-based Shangri-La added some enticingly Asian elements to the hotel, which has boasted a amour-minded French clientele since first opening in 1978. The eight new restaurants and bars include gourmet Japanese and Indian flavors, and the spa tempts with four couples treatment rooms — two with their own outdoor shower and tub, perfect for a post-massage relaxation adeux (from $330; Shangri-La.com).
SEYCHELLES
Known for its wellness-minded retreats, Six Senses opened a private-island resort a few months back on the fifth-largest isle in this archipelago, 1,100 miles east of Kenya. The 30 oneand two-bedroom villas of Six Senses Zil Pasyon sit between three white sand beaches on the 650-acre Félicité Island. Each has its own pool, but the 120-footlong waterfront pool, separated from the sea only by a rock wall, is an even more alluring draw — as is the new, 7,000-square-foot spa, which, appropriately, opens on Valentine’s Day. Its five open-air treatment pavilions, waterfalls and elevated saltwater pool will nestle amid rocky outcroppings and lush plantings (from about $1,720, SixSenses.com).
ANDAMAN ISLANDS
Tucked between India’s Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia’s Andaman Sea (part of the Indian Ocean), Jalakara is an intimate boutique resort on the gorgeous Havelock Island, said to be one of the best diving spots in South Asia. The six new suites and one cottage on this former plantation property — which sits amid a rainforest on a hill with views to the sea, and is a 20-minute walk to the water — offer large windows and doors that open to the jungle. Spare but stylish interiors showcase the best of handcrafted local woodwork and block-printed textiles, and owner and chef Marko Hill oversees the food, which spans both West and East. If you’re looking to unplug, Jalakara is it — Hill decided to just say no to Wi-Fi and the Internet, so you’ll indulge instead in low-key activities like playing board games, visiting the spa or snorkeling at nearby beaches (from $195; Jalakara.info).