Nine private-island resorts and hotel recommendations in the most beautiful archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
By Lauren Burvill
The otherworldly beauty of the Seychelles has long attracted curious travelers and fanned its reputation for both exoticism and elitism. Thanks to the islands' remoteness—1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa—they have never been cheap to visit, or, for that matter, on any cruise ship itineraries. A great number of the islands have never been sullied by human habitation and remain splendid reminders of how things were a million years ago, like miniature versions of the Galápagos or Madagascar, worlds suspended in time. Some are protected nature reserves, and the Seychelles has two UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The main island of Mahé—just 16 miles long—and its neighbors in the Inner Islands are stupendously forested and encircled with preternaturally beautiful beaches; some of those further afield are no more than windswept specks of coral, scattered over vast distances, or huddled together in tiny atolls as if taking comfort in each other's company in the face of such terrible isolation. Unassuming guesthouses and small, locally owned hotels remained the order of the day until the 1990s, when the government adopted a more pragmatic approach to foreign investment, and international hotel brands started to open on the main islands. Read on for 9 of the best hotels in the Seychelles today.
$$$ | Hot List 2024
Platte Island (meaning ‘flat’ in French) lies 80 miles south of Mahé, the Seychelles' biggest island, and is surrounded by animal-rich sea reefs and lagoons. This sand cay was originally an uninhabited coconut plantation until Waldorf Astoria’s parent company, Hilton Worldwide, replaced some of the trees with gardenias, octopus bushes, and numerous other plants, before building 50 villas while respecting the natural surroundings as much as possible. The result is the new Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, a secluded marine Eden that is drawing honeymooners and families wanting magical, immersive nature experiences while still never straying too far from modern comforts.
Villas here line the western and southern sides of the island and range from one to three bedrooms to the King Deluxe Villa, which has five bedrooms and extensive gardens. The fan-shaped interiors exude modern, understated elegance, with wooden floors, palm-tree pattern cushions, and earth-toned bathrooms with white standalone bathtubs and speckled floor tiles. Some villas, such as No. 29, have turtle nests directly behind them (they are marked), so expect some thrilling sightings when the turtle returns to lay more eggs. The villas on the northwest corner are close to Sand Bank Beach where clear, shallow waters make for fun reef walks and sightings of baby reef sharks and juvenile sting rays. Shark Point Beach at the southern end has deeper water that’s more suitable for swimming. —Noo Saro-Wiwa
Anantara, best known for its hotels and resorts throughout Asia, made its Seychelles debut with Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas. All 30 thatched-roof villas are identical in terms of size and layout, measuring an impressive 2,691 square feet each. Entrance is through a tall wooden door and stone pathway, leading to a wealth of picture-perfect indoor and outdoor spaces. Outside, first find a covered, open-air dining and living area, mini-kitchen and bar, where a fridge remains fully stocked with your favorite wines. An infinity pool provides an idyllic spot for soaking in the scene and appreciating the Seychelles’s splendor. The infinity pool segues to a second, ornamental pool with a deep, soaking bathtub at its core, flanked by chaise loungers, partially submerged in the water. —Paul Rubio
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2019, 2021
Settle into your stilted room at the Four Seasons Resort on Mahé, and you’ll be forgiven for not noticing the white, shrouded bed, the paintings by local artist Alyssa Adams, or the glamorous, sunken marble bathtub. The resort’s 67 treehouse-style villas are carved into the hillside and, with floor-to-ceiling windows, it means that the first thing you are drawn to is the soaring view over the arc of Petite Anse Bay. At dusk, huge fruit bats scoop past your windows, while, by day, cheeky scarlet Madagascan Fody birds perch by your outdoor pool. From the lush, tropical landscaping (brightly-hued hibiscus, wild vanilla, and frangipani line all the walkways) to the ocean conservation activities, such as coral planting, led by Wise Oceans, a stay here gives an immersive take into Seychellois island life.
The menu at Kannel offers local and fusion specialities such as octopus curry, cassava chips, and Mauritian Bol Renverse (sautéed beef, rice, and fried egg). Koi offers a Japanese Omakase menu, while at Zez, you can start the day with an extensive breakfast buffet—think fresh fruit, acai bowls, and Creole omelettes. At night, the restaurant offers Asian delicacies, such as red snapper tempura, sushi platters, and tiger prawn teppanyaki. A highlight is the Le Syel Spa, perched at the resort’s highest peak. You’ll find healing treatments that harness local, natural ingredients—such as moringa, cinnamon, and lemon—as well as tantalizing views across the Indian Ocean. It’s simply heavenly. —Angelina Villa-Clarke
$$$ | Gold List 2018, 2019 Hot List 2017 Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
This is one of the finest private islands in the Indian Ocean, and certainly one of the most dramatic, run by the sure-handed spa specialist group, with rewilded nature that’s been given the time and space to make a comeback. Up in the trees, or secluded amid rocks and pristine forest, the villas are the closest thing to super-smart, minimalist treehouses. They are floored in local Balau wood, fronted in glass that allows the surroundings to take center stage, and decked out in soothing ocean hues. The area feels both very primitive—and, thanks to eco-initiatives, very advanced. This is the place that, when you are having a bad day back at home, you dream about. —Lisa Grainger
$$$ | Gold List 2020 Readers' Choice Awards 2023
This astonishing retreat—potentially the most famous in the Seychelles—first opened in 2003. More than 20 years later, it has gone through refurbishments and ownership changes, introducing super-smart elements such as soft silk rugs and hand-beaten brass headboards. But the whole place has weathered beautifully and now sits happily in its setting; the laid-back spirit is still very much the same as it ever was. North Island employs full-time environmentalists and landscapers, and takes on volunteers, to improve the luxurious forests, making it an eco-thinking space in a country where the climate crisis is ever on people's minds. And in 2011, it was the honeymoon destination of a certain Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
$$$ | Hot List 2022
Mango House Seychelles is the former family home of Milanese fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri, now operating as a 41-key boutique resort under LXR Hotels & Resorts. Its ultra-scenic seclusion on Mahé is the epitome of a laid-back yet luxurious Seychelles getaway: one can honestly gaze at the stunning bay views—from the beach, the two pools, or one’s own balcony—for hours and feel revitalized. And the championing of local artisans and suppliers makes one feel particularly connected to the location. The interiors inside each room read contemporary sea-breeze luxury, but you will be venturing out often for the resort's lauded upscale food and drink venues. —Travis Levius
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island
Placing you in the heart of a pristine, wild landscape, a stay on the far-flung Desroches Island gives true Robinson Crusoe vibes, except you’ll also find exquisitely designed rooms, fine dining, and exemplary service from the Four Seasons staff. Until the late 1980s, the tiny island, in the remote Amirantes archipelago, was a coconut plantation, with just a few local workers as inhabitants, and much of its interior has been left untouched with dense, towering palms, crisscrossed by winding paths which you can explore on bike.
When Four Seasons opened its doors in 2021, it wanted to retain this ‘desert island’ feel, so guests stay in sprawling villas dotted along the shore (there are 71 in total, including lavish residences for groups), all with private pools, sun terraces, and outdoor showers. Inside, each has thoughtful nods to the destination, with vaulted ceilings, wooden chests hiding TVs, canopied beds, and palm-print textiles. Sitting some 250 miles south of Mahé, Wi-Fi is often patchy here, but it’s all the better for it. You’ll barely notice, anyway, as there are more than 70 experiences to dive into—from sunrise yoga to snorkeling with friendly Hawksbill turtles. There are also Terre d’Afrique rituals to zone out to at the spa and authentic Creole dishes to taste at the five restaurants and bars. For something special, climb to the top of The Lighthouse for a Takamaka rum cocktail and freshly-caught seafood. It’s the best spot to watch the sky become streaked with pink, lilac, and amber brushstrokes as the sun goes down. Desroches is also home to over 100 Aldabra Giant Tortoises, and guests are encouraged to get involved in conservation efforts at the Tortoise Sanctuary. As you head to one of the idyllic, deserted beaches, don’t be surprised to spot one of the creatures—some are aged 90 and over—padding along beside you. —Angelina Villa-Clarke
Denis Island
This private island is everything the Seychelles should be. Its 375 acres are beautifully isolated and unspoiled, with palm trees and white, sugar-soft sand. Twenty-five ocean-facing, open-plan cottages are all within easy reach of the main building and its restaurant, bar, and freshwater outdoor pool. This island is just half an hour by plane from Mahé, but has a wealth of wildlife lingering among its crescent of palm-fringed beaches—think turtles, rays, and clownfish.
Alphonse Island, Outer Islands
In terms of far-flung, this speck 250 miles to the south-west of Mahé is about as Robinson Crusoe–adventurous as most probably want to get. Nature is allowed to run riot, with countless bird species, lumbering giant tortoises, and nesting hawksbill and green turtles, whose secret lives can be explored on nature walks with the conservation team. This is where to come to kick off your shoes, pedal a bicycle through palm groves and properly disconnect from the world. The atmosphere has the cheery informality of a house party—owner Murray Collins and his family often bob among guests gathering in the bar for a rum cocktail before candlelit suppers. Bed down in one of 22 simple, raised A-frame beach bungalows; for more space, choose the beach villas or the new beach retreats, designed by Lisa Rorich in thatched Creole style, all barely a stone’s throw from the lapping water of the Indian Ocean. And what water.
Read the original article on Condé Nast Traveler.
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