Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 best luxury resorts in the Seychelles
Mother Nature was extremely generous with the Seychelles, a magnificent archipelago of 115 idyllic islands scattered in the Indian Ocean east of Kenia. The beauty of the Seychelles’ beaches is beyond words, with exquisite ribbons of powdery-soft white sand being lapped by turquoise waters and backed by jungle-covered hills and large rocky boulders. IMHO, its unrivaled scenery makes the Seychelles the world’s best beach destination (even better that the other famous Indian Ocean destination that I like so much, the Maldives). The last decade, a string of ultra-luxurious and famous resorts opened in the Seychelles, putting these Bounty Islands on the bucket list of every discerning traveler. Here’s my selection of the 10 best luxury resorts in the Seychelles.
There is more information (with detailed reviews and YouTube movies) below the slideshow. Think I missed a resort in the Seychelles? Leave a comment.
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10. CONSTANCE LEMURIA RESORT
Nestled on the northwest shore of Praslin islan and surrounded by luxuriant and rare vegetation, Constance Lemuria Resort is set along two of the Seychelles’ finest beaches, Anse Georgette and Anse Kerlan. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the property’s accommodations range from elegant, secluded suites with ocean views to regal villas, which open practically right onto the sand and which are serviced by private villa masters (for even more fawning service than the suite guests receive). Opened in late 1999, and completely renovated in 2016, the resort embraces a modern approach to design, skillfully blending luxury and comfort in harmony with the carefully preserved natural beauty of the environment. A stay at Constance Lemuria can be combined with a stay at its sister resort Constance Ephélia on Mahé island (which I reviewed here)
9. MANGO HOUSE SEYCHELLES, A LXR HOTEL
Set on southern Mahé’s unspoiled beachfront, Mango House Seychelles is an intimate island oasis surrounded by sparkling waters, fragrant fruit trees, and lush forests. Originally built as a family dwelling by celebrated Italian photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri, this idyllic hideaway offers a sense of home in a private and secluded location. The boutique hotel features 41 sea-facing villas and suites, each with sun-kissed balconies and earthy décor. For an unparalleled family experience, book the Cliff House, a unique cluster of guest rooms designed for the ultimate getaway. Facilities at Mango House include a variety of dining venues, which serve specialties from casual poolside bites to Japanese, Mediterranean, and Creole cuisine. Be sure to check out the Anpe Spa for an indulgent treatment infused with coconut charcoal, soothing seaweed, or tropical plants.
- Hotel website: Mango House Seychelles, a LXR Hotel
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Classic Travel (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, complimentary WiFi, double Hilton Honors points, and $100 USD resort credit).
- Review: coming soon
8. RAFFLES SEYCHELLES
Located on the north shore of Praslin, the second largest of the 115 islands that make up the Seychelles archipelago, the 5-star Raffles Praslin is a secluded tropical haven for discerning adventure seekers and a beacon for sustainability in a natural setting of rare wonder. Cradled at the heart of the island, Raffles Seychelles boasts 86 architecturally exquisite villas plus one Four Bedroom Pool Residence, which all cascade down verdant hillsides towards the resort’s private stretch of white sand. All villas feature private plunge pools and outdoor pavilions to soak in breathtaking views of the opal-hued ocean, white sandy beach and lush green hills. The magnificent hotel pool is one of the largest in the Indian Ocean territory. Swim, sunbathe, snorkel, sail, kayak, walk, or just do nothing at all, Raffles Praslin has it all.
- Hotel website: Raffles Seychelles
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks at Raffles Seychelles when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, complimentary WiFi, $100 USD resort credit, and a guest choice of one unique esort experience, once during their stay: authentic Creole cooking class).
- Review: read my review of Raffles Seychelles here.
7. ANANTARA MAIA SEYCHELLES VILLAS
Set on secluded Anse Louis beach on Mahe Island, overlooking the turquoise Indian Ocean waters, the ultra-luxury Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas property is lushly landscaped with hibiscus, lemongrass and cinnamon. With just ten ocean-front villas and 20 panoramic villas – all with private pools and designed by Bill Bensley – and a staff of 230, the resort insures an exceptional level of service. Pampering and wellness are also the focus at the Balinese-style spa, which offers instruction in Hatha yoga and Qigong, as well as restorative treatments performed in open-air pavilions. Dining options include a range of gourmet cuisines with a choice of exquisite backdrops with Anantara’s exclusive ‘Dining by Design’ concept. Guests at Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas can embark on thrilling adventures, from island explorations to sunset sailing to helicopter tours to nearby bird sanctuaries.
6. SIX SENSES ZIL PASYON
Six Senses Zil Pasyon is set on the island of Félicité, one of the most dramatically beautiful and unspoiled islands in the Seychelles. With massive granite boulders fringing the shoreline and picture perfect beaches, it is the island’s dramatic beauty that make it the perfect private island escape. True to Six Senses heritage of creating exceptional guest experiences in places of incredible beauty, the resort occupies just one-third of the island’s land total – the rest is left to the beauty of nature and wildlife. The resort includes 28 one-bedroom pool villas and a couple of two-bedroom pool villas plus 17 private residences. Six Senses Zil Pasyon offers six dining and bar venues on the island, sport and leisure facilities, three pristine sandy beaches and a phenomenal spa. Six Senses Zil Pasyon’s privileged yet coveted position close to the islands of La Digue and Praslin makes it one of the best resort in the Seychelles for island-hopping.
- Hotel website: Six Senses Zil Pasyon
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks at Six Senses Zil Pasyon when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and $100 USD resort credit).
- Review: read my review of Six Senses Zil Pasyon here.
5. FOUR SEASONS RESORT SEYCHELLES AT DESROCHES ISLAND
A stay at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles (cf below) can be easily combined with a stay at the Four Seasons Group’s second property in the Seychelles: Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Deroches Island. In contrast to the granitic island of Mahe (which is home to Four Seasons Resort Seychelles), the flat, coral island of Desroches lies 230 kilometres (143 miles) southwest in the Outer Amirantes – islands known for their wild beauty and freedom to explore some of the best diving and fishing in the world. Located 40 minutes by plane from the Seychelles’ main island Mahe, Four Seasons Desroches Island enjoys unrivalled privacy and absolute freedom. The property is one of the most intimate Four Seasons resorts with just 71 accommodations, including pavilions, villas, suites and residences – all with private pool and beach access.
4. FOUR SEASONS RESORT SEYCHELLES
Set in the heart of a lost Eden, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles offers guests an unrivalled luxury hotel experience in a natural jungle setting. The resort’s 67 villas – each with plunge pool and perched on a jungled hillside – will challenge your notion of paradise. The powder-sand beach of Petite Anse is just a short stroll away, scented en-route by cinnamon trees and frangipani. The resort’s beach area features a water sports center as well as a lovely swimming pool to relax (with poolside dining and refreshments readily available). From spicy curries to grilled seafood to sweet fried bananas, the chefs love infusing each menu at the resort’s three dining venues with the islands’ rich Creole flavours. Not to be missed is the spa, located at the top of the hill and overlooking spectacular Petite Anse, with both adults and children welcome.
3. WALDORF ASTORIA SEYCHELLES
The brand-new Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island Resort is a located on a private island, just over 130 km (80 mi) south of Mahé, in a pristine atoll fringed by palm forests and protected by its own coral reef. Home to native Hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, manta rays and whale sharks, much of Platte Island’s surrounding scenery remains beautifully untouched, promising a plethora of firsts and an unrivaled sense of magic for guests. The ultra-luxury property houses an intimate collection of 50 seafront villas with personal concierge services, including one-to-three-bedroom villas as well as a master five-bedroom villa with expansive gardens. Each villa is designed with a fan-shaped style that gives the space an ascending pitched ceiling. The villas are also sensitively set back from the shoreline and feature expansive gardens that create an undisturbed place for sea turtles to lay their eggs.
The brand-new Cheval Blanc Seychelles Resort is located on the southwestern coast of Mahé Island on Anse Intendance, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Featuring 52 villas, each with a private swimming pool, the resort is designed to feel like a ‘home’ by famed architect Jean-Michel Gathy and pays homage to its natural surroundings and creole traditions. The resort’s five culinary options include Mizumi, an Asian restaurant set on a lake; Italian eatery Vivamento, which faces the pool; and Mediterranean beach club Sula. Guests will also find two of Cheval Blanc’s signature concepts: French gastronomic restaurant Le 1947 and “cosmopolitan” venue Le White. Guests are able to access a collection of Guerlain wellbeing rituals at the Spa Cheval Blanc, where facilities include a pool, fitness room, surf simulator and two tennis and padel courts.
1. NORTH ISLAND
North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, is the world’s most exclusive hideaway and one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at. The insanely beautiful private island resort has only 11 opulent hand-crafted villas overlooking the pristine, powder-white sands and turquoise waters of the Seychelles’ Ile Du Nord eco-reserve. Raised off the ground to catch the cooling Indian Ocean breezes, all villas open up onto private gardens and the beach. Plunge pools and outdoor showers provide the finishing touches to your private sanctuary. The island’s lounge and dining areas, scenically located health spa and gym, library and dive centre, and a rim-flow swimming pool are all built into a granitic outcrop. Keep an eye out for Brutus, the island’s 160-year-old tortoise. The resort was the decor for honeymoon of Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011.
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