Palm Hotel & Spa

If neither Mauritius nor the Seychelles satisfy your remote-luxe cravings, fear not: Réunion offers yet another Indian Ocean escape, a lush volcanic isle that can hang with the best of them. Perhaps most importantly, it isn’t yet overrun with crowds; even on its more populous western and northern coasts, the vibe belongs more to the local Créole culture than t-shirt vendors. Hop over a couple volcanoes (one dormant) to the southern shore and you’ll find Palm Hotel & Spa Réunion, a world unto itself bordering Grand Anse Bay and its pristine, white-sand beach.

As one might expect, life swims along on island time here — we mean that literally, as the island’s visiting pods of humpback whales and dolphins can attest. Tropical gardens spread over the estate, softening and surrounding the guest villas. Standard rooms luxuriate in charming natural tones — exposed stone, polished wood, tile — while upgraded accommodations stretch even further with furnished verandas, hot tubs, and outdoor showers. Three stilt-borne, cliffside lodges present high achievers with unsurpassed views of the Indian Ocean from palatial digs. All, of course, come equipped with the latest in 21st-century tech: Smart TVs disguised as mirrors, Nespresso machines, and private wi-fi networks.

The cuisine’s equally highbrow, ranging from al fresco Créole fusion at the Deck to artful flights of gastronomic expertise at the fine-dining, locavore Makassar. The Kokoa handles the liquids in a looser, event-friendly space — craft cocktail courses, live music — while doubling as the Palm’s best whale-watching joint in season. Two pools, a fitness room, and a gaming area do quite nicely in the entertainment department, though immersive inactivity may be the real order of the day. For that, the island hotel’s perennial forte: the spa, here provided by Akéa and comprising seven treatment rooms, a hammam, and a jacuzzi, among other offerings.