1. KEMPINSKI SEYCHELLES RESORT
Baie Lazare
Perched on the southern end of Mahé in Baie Lazare, Kempinski Seychelles styles itself an indulgent retreat offering a huge variety of facilities and activities. From adventure holidays spent exploring the unique natural landscape of the Seychelles – which includes two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – to romantic breaks in breathtaking suites, the resort aims to create an escape to suit each and every traveller. Foodies will be satisfied with the range of restaurants and dining packages, with private dining options and a chance to cook your own catch of the day – and with an abundance of fresh fish, the resort claims the best sushi in the Seychelles.
Mahe, Seychelles
+248 4 386 666
www.kempinski.com
2. CARANA BEACH HOTEL
The Carana Beach concept rekindles the warmth of the Seychellois island lifestyle in one place, across all aspects of service and hospitality. Each chalet boasts a view from every room spilling out onto breath-taking turquoise waters, all framed by a lush tropical garden with a granite backdrop.
Make yourself at home in one of the 40 air-conditioned rooms, featuring amply stocked minibars and flat-screen televisions. Each room has a private balcony or patio, with complimentary WiFi access to keep you connected round the clock, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. The bathrooms with showers feature luxe amenities and all essential conveniences.
Relax and unwind with massages and body treatments at Sens Spa, with a line-up of soothing treatments using only natural locally sourced ingredients and enjoy fine fare at Lorizon, one of the hotel’s two restaurants – unless you prefer to take advantage of the room service. Fuel each day with a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, served daily from 7–10am and wind down each evening at the poolside bar.
Mahe, Seychelles
+248 4 383 333
www.caranabeach.com
3. FOUR SEASONS SEYCHELLES
When it comes to experiencing the “Eden” that is the Seychelles, Four Seasons provides a true sense of paradise. The ocean breeze drifts up the granite slopes into your tree-house villa, one of a range of exquisite accommodation options. Some of the larger, even more lavish abodes include the Six- and Five-Bedroom Residence Villas, suitable for larger groups and families of up to 12 adults, or eight adults and four children. You can spend your days lounging by a private pool or playing in the turquoise waters of Petite Anse bay, but make sure to arrange a bespoke spa experience in the lofty hillside facilities before devouring a sunset meal on a deserted beach. Whatever you opt for, all residences and suites come with the dedicated care of a Residence Host.
Mahe Island, Seychelles
+248 4 393 000
www.fourseasons.com/seychelles
4. SIX SENSES ZIL PASYON
The very name evokes the sensation of passion felt within the oasis of serenity, nestled between the verdant foliage and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Six Senses Zil Pasyon – located on the island of Félicité – is privacy guaranteed, where massive granite rocks and coral fringed beaches create an air of drama and beauty while seamlessly fusing land and sea. This ecological jewel of the Seychelles invites guests to step in tune with nature or swim with the turtles while enjoying an intimate destination that offers every comfort across all accommodation options, including the two new (achingly gorgeous) residences that opened earlier this year.
Felicite, Seychelles
+248 4 671 000
www.sixsenses.com
5. NORTH ISLAND
A new chapter in the history of North Island began in 1997 when the Island was purchased by Wilderness Safaris, with a view to creating not just the world’s leading private island hideaway, but also of turning back the clock: undoing the damage wrought by man, and creating a safe haven for indigenous Seychellois fauna and flora. They had a bold vision and brought on board four private shareholders to turn the dream into reality. North Island embarked on an ambitious journey to rehabilitate, preserve and study the island’s ecosystems. Once an abandoned copra plantation left to run wild, now a “Noah’s Ark” sanctuary where endangered species can thrive once more. Sea turtles nest in complete privacy on North Island’s pristine beaches and giant tortoises roam the lush landscape free from harm.
North Island, Seychelles
+27 61 089 0462
www.north-island.com
6. MAIA LUXURY RESORT
Discover a new kind of “beyond all-inclusive” luxury escape with a visit to MAIA, spanning 30 acres of forest-garden on the west coast of Mahé, fringed by stretches of white-washed sand – an idyllic setting 30 private villas. Whether you do decide to do everything, or simply nothing at all, each and every guest is entitled to enjoy undivided attention or uninterrupted privacy – or something in between – with a captivating choice between Signature Villas or Ocean Panoramic Villas.
Anse Louis, Seychelles
+248 4 390 000
www.tsogosun.com/maia
7. COUSINE ISLAND
In the clear, tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, a thousand miles away from the African mainland, lies a (not so) secret paradise. Cousine island is adorned with lush palms and vibrant vegetation – a pristine granitic slice of heaven and one of the few destinations on the planet where the miracle of nature thrives and man in all his curious wonder is a simple and silent observer. Spanning less than 30 hectares, the all-villa island escape presents a personalised and intimate adventure, with secluded moments of reflection and the ultimate expression of romance and beauty, naturally formed to captivate the heart and re-engage the soul.
Cousine Island
+248 438 4706
www.cousineisland.com
8. FREGATE ISLAND PRIVATE
With seven entirely private beaches around the island and just 16 villas, yours can often be the sole footprints in the sand. When you arrive there’s always a cooler box with iced drinks, towels spread on loungers, a fresh water shower and you call your own personal PA for anything you desire. They call it “wild beauty with delicious light luxury”. Fregate Island is a unique destination where one can experience the best the Seychelles has to offer, with a legacy of long lost treasure chests leading to a modern conservation hideaway that is entirely unique, and part of the Oetker Collection.
Frégate Island, Seychelles
+49 72 21 900 9922
www.fregate.com