Three of the best villas
Chris Carter picks three of the very best villas to get away from it all in.
Sustainable living in the Seychelles
The Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort on the island of Flicit is just a 20-minute helicopter ride from the main airport in the Seychelles. Its 30 one-bed villas look out onto the Indian Ocean and each comes with its own infinity pool and access to the rock-edged pools and three white-sand beaches, says Kashmira Gander in The Independent. Nor will you find any wasteful plastic water bottles here. In a push for sustainability, the resort uses a reverse osmosis system and crystal-water refinery to obtain its water. The food is sourced from its own chicken farm and organic garden. The resort is close enough to the other islands in the archipelago, including the La Digue, Grande Soeur, Petite Soeur, Coco and Marianne islands, to make it ideal for a spot of Greek-style island hopping. Doubles from £1,075 a night see SixSenses.com
Elephant spotting in Kenya
Arijiju may well be Kenya's most beautiful holiday home, says John O'Ceallaigh in The Daily Telegraph. Named after the hill on which it sits, Arijiju is crafted from hand-cut Meru stone, and its design is partly inspired by the monasteries of neighbouring Ethiopia. The surrounding Borana Conservation area in Laikipia is home to a working cattle ranch, but guests can still expect to see elephants, giraffes and black rhinos, as well as 330 species of birds. The five bedrooms are a medley of "rustic African fixtures, earthy colours and occasional extravagant European flourishes", with stand-alone copper tubs and showers indoors and out. There is a resident staff of 14, which includes a butler, ranger and chefs to rustle up "healthy and light Ottolenghi-style' cuisine". The house has a games room, cinema, library, spa, hammam and a yoga deck with a masseuse and beauty therapist in attendance.From $7,500 a night see Arijiju.com
Fantastic views in Dubrovnik
"It'll cost you, but, blimey, the views" are worth it, says Jeremy Lazell in The Sunday Times. Dubrovnik Harbour is a seven-bedroom townhouse situated on a hill above its namesake on the Dalmatian coast. It has a pool on the terrace with great views over the old town and sea. Take a boat out and you can explore the Elaphites archipelago.From £9,800 a week see TheLuxuryTravelBook.com
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