Banyan Tree Seychelles
The hotel occupies a 117 hectare site overlooking the beautiful Intendance Bay, and includes what has been described as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world.
Accommodation is in individual villas located either next to the beach or further up the hillside, surrounded by lush tropical forest. All villas feature contemporary 'plantation' décor and have spacious verandahs, small private swimming pools and views of the Indian Ocean.
Facilities on site include a large infinity pool, a tennis court, gym and a spa specializing in traditional Asian treatments. Watersports, deep-sea fishing, diving and private boat charters for island-hopping trips are also available.
The hotel has a selection of bars and restaurants serving everything from juices to cocktails and gourmet Mediterranean, South East Asian and local Creole cuisine.
Why We Love It
The resort's 750-yard stretch of coast is overhung with swaying palm trees and strewn with the granite boulders that are characteristic of the Seychelles.
Cousine Island
Lying off the west coast of Praslin, and accessible by helicopter from Mahé, Cousine Island offers an exclusive island experience with complete seclusion found in very few other places.
This remote, privately owned nature reserve is home to rare birds and breeding turtles, offering a very private tropical island experience. A maximum of eight guests are accommodated at any one time.
The individual villas, built in French Colonial style, are dotted around the natural vegetation, a short hop from the beach. Each villa is positioned to ensure maximum privacy and offers the highest degree of comfort with spacious bedrooms, separate sitting room, large bathroom with Jacuzzi and shower (inside and outside), as well as front and rear patios. Each villa is fully air-conditioned and has fantastic sea views, with the islands of Cousin, Praslin, and Aride in the background.
Private dining is available in your villa, and The Pavilion has an open-plan dining room, bar, lounge and an air-conditioned library, all overlooking the large freshwater swimming pool.
Activities include fishing and diving, a rustic spa, fitness centre, snorkelling, and guided walks by the conservation officer.
Why We Love It
If you're visiting between September and January, you should be lucky enough to see the hawksbill turtles breeding and hatching.
Four Seasons Seychelles
The Four Seasons group's quest for world domination continues with their first opening in the Seychelles. Expect excellent service and top notch comfort.
The Four Seasons on Mahe opened in 2009, and is more of a boutique hotel than many of the group's other offerings. Accommodation is in suites and villas on stilts set on a lush hillside or in the trees next to the beach where turquoise waters lap the powder-white sands of Petite Anse, one of Mahe Island's very best beaches.
The villas are designed in traditional Creole style with natural timber and brickwork to the fore. Each villa has its own private infinity-edged plunge pool, and some incorporate existing granite boulders into their sleek, airy interiors. Each villa is surrounded by a large hardwood deck and has a shaded daybed. Dining and cocktails are offered at two restaurants and two lounges set hillside and beachside respectively. Diverse flavours capture the cultural mix of the Seychelles - encompassing Creole specialties and tastes from the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia.
Elsewhere a hilltop spa offers yoga and invigorating treatments incorporating local herbs and spices and following ancient recipes. The Kids for All Seasons club is perfect for keeping young guests entertained, allowing parents to time off.
Why We Love It
The villas have more living area outdoors than indoors - perfect for taking in the fragrance of the surrounding cinnamon trees and listening to the exotic birds perched in the canopy above.
Constance Lémuria
Praslin is the second largest of the Seychelles islands, and a short hop by light aircraft from the main island of Mahé.
Like all the islands, it has a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere. The hotel enjoys a sheltered position on the northwest coast of the island, overlooking two pristine white-sand beaches. Accommodation consists of suites and luxury villas scattered along the shores of the 100-hectare estate, with tropical gardens to the rear and views of the Indian Ocean to the front. Each suite is just yards away from the beach. Non-motorised watersports are available at the boathouse, including windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, pedalos, and snorkelling, while deep-sea fishing and a diving school are also on hand. Other facilities include a three-level swimming pool, two floodlit tennis courts, an 18-hole championship golf course and a spa offering a wide array of beauty treatments, massages and Ayurvedic therapies. There are three restaurants and several bars dotted around the estate, including a beach bar.
Why We Love It
For active types, Lémuria has a comprehensive range of facilities offering all kinds of aquatic and land-based activities, and it is a good family-friendly destination too.
Maia Resort & Spa
Maia is a luxurious beach resort overlooking the turquoise waters and golden sands of Anse Louis on the southeast coast of Mahé, the main island of the Seychelles.
Accommodation consists of stylish thatched villas located on the beachfront or up the hillside, with panoramic views of the ocean. All villas have private swimming pools, spacious outdoor areas with day-beds, and bathrooms that come with walled garden showers and an outdoor bath for bathing under the stars.
Inside, the villas are equipped with plasma TVs, DVD players, iPods and air-conditioning. In addition, each villa comes with a personal butler to cater to all your needs.
As well as the sandy beach, facilities at Maia include a large main swimming pool and a spa offering a range of health and beauty treatments plus yoga, shiatsu and qi gong. To preserve the tranquility of the setting, only non-motorised watersports such as snorkelling and kayaking are offered at Maia. Scuba diving and other activities can be organized locally, and the hotel also offers customised excursions to the other islands by boat or helicopter.
Last but not least, Maia's restaurant serves gourmet Franco-Asian cuisine, and there is a sunset pool bar for cocktails.
Why We Love It
Your villa's butler doubles as a child minder who will babysit, accompany the kids when swimming, and entertain them with a range of activities from coconut painting to canoe trips.
Six Senses Zil Pasyon
Surrounded by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean and located amidst the idyllic islands of the Seychelles, the private island of Felicite is home to the Six Senses Zil Pasyon. Opened in the autumn of 2016, this luxury resort offers guests a tranquil retreat in a stunning area of towering granite rocks, tropical foliage and white sandy beaches.
Occupying less than one third of the island's land, the tastefully built Six Senses Zil Pasyon is the only resort on the island, inviting guests to relax in a peaceful area of immense natural beauty. The resort is comprised of 30 pool villas overlooking the pristine Indian Ocean, decorated in refreshing turquoise colours and calming whites to reflect the vibrant natural surroundings.
The Seychelles is known as a spectacular water sports destination and a stay on the picturesque Felicite Island will not disappoint. Located outside the cyclone belt, it is ideally positioned to offer year-round activities such as diving, fishing, snorkelling and sailing. Hikers will be in heaven, as there are many scenic walking trails amidst the island's lush forests and rocky landscapes. In addition, Felicite organises a range of island-hopping boat trips for those who wish to explore the Seychelles further. Built into the rock formations, the Six Senses Spa is perched high above the Indian Ocean, overlooking the serene setting and providing visitors with an oasis of calm.
Why We Love It
The Six Senses Zil Pasyon is only accessible by helicopter or boat, and travelling above the islands or across the glistening ocean, visitors can begin their Seychelles exploration even before landing.