Nestled along the world-renowned beach of Intendance Bay, Banyan Tree Seychelles is a highly private, plantation-style resort. Combining traditional colonial style with a rustic design, the charming resort is the perfect tropical escape.

Ocean View Pool Villas sit high up on the hillside, while beachfront villas allow you the option of being lulled to sleep by the gentle sound of crashing waves. Asian furniture and woven textiles complement plush white linens for a contemporary décor that encourages tranquil relaxation.

Bookings are essential at the resort’s signature, award-winning Thai restaurant, Saffron, set in a quiet forest glade next to a lake. Chez Lamar offers an eclectic fusion of Creole cooking and Arabic cuisine, and on the beach the Rum Shack lets you feel the sand between your toes while enjoying a refreshing cocktail.

Coconut bowling on the beach and turtle monitoring are fun activities when you don’t find yourself at the luxury eight-pavilion Asian spa. Therapists are trained at the Banyan Tree Spa Academy and can ease away tensions with nourishing oatmeal and honey body wraps and massages featuring warm herbal pouches dipped in sesame oil.

Accommodation: 60 pool-villas, including one two-bedroom family villa

Amenities: Spa, infinity pool, three restaurants, three bars

Activities: Yoga, tennis, wildlife conservation centre, water sports, sailing

Located within the protective horseshoe-shaped bay of Petite Anse, the Four Seasons resort has the most private beach experience on Mahé. Enjoying the setting sun as it lowers between the two headlands is worth the airfare alone.

Located on sturdy stilts, the treehouse-style villas are palatial, each with personal infinity pools and daybed pavilions. Soaring wood-beam ceilings and colonial-style interiors make way for magnificent ocean views framed by verdant jungle foliage.

Breakfast is served at the open-air ZEZ restaurant with its glorious views, or tuna tataki with yuzu jam and other Japanese specialities can be enjoyed at Koi restaurant. Down by the pool Kannel offers pizza, salads and Creole cuisine.

One of the best places in the Seychelles for families, the resort has a well-protected, sandy beach, a large children’s pool and a shaded garden home to a family of giant tortoises. The hilltop yoga studio and spa offers twilight massages and age-defying facial treatments.

Four Seasons recently opened a second resort in the Seychelles on Desroches Island – you can find more about your perfect island day here.

Accommodation: 62 villas, five suites, 27 residential units

Amenities: Spa, fitness centre, outdoor pool, three restaurants, two bars, supervised children’s program, library

Activities: Island excursions, fishing, yoga, cooking class, surf tuition, paddle boarding, volleyball, badminton, jogging trail

3. MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa Seychelles This all-inclusive resort is as exclusive as it gets on the Seychelles’ main island, Mahé. Lushly landscaped with hibiscus, lemongrass and cinnamon, sweet aromas mingle with the salt air to create an intoxicating perfume. The 30 thatched beach or hillside villas each come with an ocean-facing infinity pool, outdoor sunken tub and 24-hour butler service.

The resort’s main pool is made from black lava stone and is situated next to the gourmet restaurant Tec-Tec, which offers Mediterranean cuisine with Creole and Asian influences. ‘Anywhere, anytime’ dining also includes in-room dining, and even silver service on the beach with your intuitive butler in attendance.

The Balinese-style spa offers world-class Omorovicza treatments in private, open-air pavilions separated by natural granite rock formations. The ultra-luxe Gold Après Soleil Facial is especially popular, and free morning yoga and qi gong sessions are offered daily.

Accommodation: 30 villas, each with private infinity pool

Amenities: 24/7 private butler, spa, fitness centre and meditation space, one restaurant, one bar, anytime private dining

Activities: Yoga, sailing, helicopter rides, island hopping, wine tasting, fishing, scuba diving, paddle boarding, canoeing

North Island works to embody the principle of ‘barefoot luxury’ and with only 11 private villas you will start to feel quite at home on this secluded oasis. Villas are crafted from local materials to blend into the natural beauty of the island, and there are four white-sand beaches and an abundance of tropical forest to discover. Little ones will delight in seeing the Aldabran tortoises that roam the island.

Michelin-starred chef, Farrel Hirsch, serves up innovate fine dining dishes according to the latest island harvest in the Piazza. You can have a Creole curry delivered direct to your villa or use your generously-stocked pantry to create a home-cooked meal.

Most guests never leave the island during their stay – there are enough activities to keep all the family entertained for weeks. Enjoy a clifftop picnic, a cycle around the island, or scuba diving in crystal clear waters.

Accommodation: 10 two-bedroom villas and one larger villa (which served as George and Amal Clooney’s honeymoon suite)

Amenities: Spa, fitness centre, one restaurant, one bar, in-villa dining, supervised children’s program, library

Activities: Scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, island excursions, cycling, kayaking, paddle boarding, sunset cruise

High up on the island of Praslin you will find this stunning hilltop resort. Step outside on to your villa’s private deck and you will find a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean from every angle.

All villas include private plunge pools, daybed pavilions or large terraces, outdoor showers and bathtubs with spectacular views. Even the smallest of the seven types of suites, the Garden View Pool Villa, starts at a spacious 125sqm and abundant greenery makes each a tranquil, secluded oasis.

Food and drinks can be found in one of six restaurants and lounges, the most romantic of which is the open-air Asian Curieuse Restaurant. The restaurant includes a Sushi Bar that celebrates the island’s world-class catch with fresh sushi and sashimi served daily.

The resort’s 45-metre pool, the largest in the Seychelles, is the perfect place to while away a balmy day or wander down to the lovely beach for a refreshing dip. The luxurious spa features 12 treatment pavilions overlooking the blue ocean, and the Sugar Palm Kids Club offers nature trails, Creole fishing, boat making, treasure hunts and beach games.

Accommodation: 86 villas, including a two-bedroom, two-bathroom Royal Beachfront Villa

Amenities: Spa, beauty salon, fitness centre, lagoon-style pool, five restaurants, one bar, private dining, 24-hour butler service for larger villas, supervised children’s program.

Activities: Yoga, scuba diving, golf, island excursions, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling, supervised children’s program

Start your journey

The Seychelles is the opulent island escape you need in 2019 – talk to us to today to start planning your beach holiday.
e: curious@forthandwonder.com.au
p: +61 3 9045 9819