Whether it’s brilliant design, excellent service, delightful cuisine, or dazzling vistas, each resort and hotel on this list wows one way or another — but never under-delivering on sights and sophisticated atmosphere.
And let’s not forget—all this is surrounded by the dramatic beauty of Seychelles, where the massive granite boulders fringe the shorelines, juxtaposed with white sandy beaches and washed by the turquoise sea.
“There are only 11 exclusive villas on the entire island, each designed by Silvio Rech and his wife Lesley Carstens, the award-winning architects from South Africa.”— from our review of North Island
There are very few island resorts like North Island anywhere in the world: beautiful, private, and offering a fully customizable experience. Its signature style combines natural beauty with sheer indulgence—nothing found here is short of unique and exceptional. It’s a place for those seeking an unspoiled, spectacular dream island all for themselves.
We love it for: The island’s natural beauty, big villas, wonderful nature (turtles!), and utmost privacy as well as the carefree, bare-foot relaxed atmosphere with no ‘dress code’.
Read our review: North Island Seychelles
Photos © North Island
We had a wonderful time at Six Senses Zil Pasyon and can confidently say this is our new favorite Six Senses resort. We were wowed by the sophisticated design and relaxed atmosphere, by the fantastic cuisine, and the natural splendor of Félicité Island. As private island resorts go, this one steals the crown for the sheer beauty of the experience.
We love it for: Two things. First, the villas! Six Senses are seriously upping their game with these new luxury retreats. Second, Félicité Island. It is full of dramatic landscapes, dazzling vistas of the ocean and wild nature.
Read our review: Six Senses Zil Pasyon Seychelles
Photos (including the leading shot at the top of the article) © Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
Remote and secluded, yet only a 35-minute flight from Mahé, the Desroches Island is perfectly located to provide an experience of “luxury castaway”, courtesy of Four Seasons. The resort offers forty beach suites with private pools and eleven private residence villas. All are set up as an exclusive destination on a pristine tropical island, edged by fourteen kilometers of white beaches. It’s the ultimate desert-island fantasy. Ah, and check this: a sunset-watching from a lighthouse is a thing here.
We love it for: The beauty of the villas. What Four Seasons created are perfect pads for couples seeking privacy and relaxation. all Villas include a combined living room and bedroom and open onto spacious terraces with a 19-square-meter pool overlooking lush private gardens.
Photos © Four Seasons Hotels Inc.
“Picture a perfect beach. Add beautiful villas perched in the tropical canopies… and top-notch service. These are the ingredients of the ultimate resort experience. It is also exactly what the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles has on the menu” — from our review
Perfectly appointed, beautifully designed, and distinguished by great vacation atmosphere, the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles defines the standard for the tropical beach resort luxury. It’s a great choice for a relaxing stay, as much for couples as for families.
We love it for: Natural setting. This property is set among verdant tropical greenery and built on steep hills that roll down to the beach — and that beach is one of the most beautiful we ever visited.
Pro tip: This place that will have you wanting to take that envy-inducing Instagram photo. They even have a special beach swing, perfect for that (see how we captured it on Instagram). We shoot with Nikon cameras.
Read our review: Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
Photos © Four Seasons Hotels Inc.
“Maia Luxury Resort & Spa is a place of wood, stone, and thatch, inspired by local traditions and the East African Swahili architecture” — from our review of Maia
High above a magnificent beach of opalescent sand lapped by aquamarine water, amongst swaying palms, lies an opulent hideaway that transcends tropical luxury. This specialty spa resort enjoys a truly idyllic setting—offering a perfect escape from modern life’s frenetic pace.
We love it for: Outstanding villas, designed by Bill Bensley. The architect created a high spec, low impact structures, aimed at providing maximum privacy whilst respecting the beautiful natural surroundings. Each comes with a private pool and secluded gazebo that includes an oversized daybed.
Read our review: Maia Luxury Resort and Spa Seychelles
Photos © Maia Luxury Resort and Spa
This place has a reputation as one of the most exclusive private islands in the world. Designed for carefree luxury, Fregate’s pool villas blend with the spectacular scenery, surrounded by lush greenery and positioned for the best views from its infinity pools. There are seven gorgeous white-sand beaches on the island and if you fancy to have it to yourself you just flip the ‘Beach Occupied’ sign as you enter. And any time of the day always a cooler box with iced drinks ready, and towels spread on loungers.
We love it for: There are only 16 villas. Beautifully designed, with massive private pools, they are one of the elements of experience that make this resort the ultimate in exclusivity, privacy, and seclusion.
Photos © Fregate Island Private
With its top-class spa, tropical setting and the delightful, secluded pool villas make the Banyan Tree Seychelles a perfect spot for romantics, couples and honeymooners.
“Commanding a majestic view of the Indian Ocean and overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the magnificent Banyan Tree Seychelles delivers romance and authentic luxury” — from our review of Banyan Tree Seychelles
We love it for: The resort is located above one of Seychelles’ finest beaches — certainly one of the best we’ve seen. It’s vast, dramatic, and flanked by the characteristic granite boulders, with soft white sand and shade provided by overhanging palm trees.
Read our review: Banyan Tree Seychelles
Photos © Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts
Located on the beautiful north-eastern tip of Praslin, this luxury resort from one of the most respected hotel brands features eighty-six contemporary villas, each with private outdoor pavilion and plunge pool. The villas are among the most spacious in Seychelles and are positioned to take advantage of the resort’s location — ensuring breathtaking views of the lush green hills, the beach below and the ocean.
We love it for: The dramatic rooftop lounge, Takamaka Terrace. It’s a perfect place for sundowners at the end of a day filled with visits to the ancient forests on Praslin, water sports, and relaxation.
Read our review: Raffles Seychelles (coming soon)
Photos © Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Also located on Praslin — Seychelle’s second-largest island (and home to the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve with the unique coco de mer palms) — is the Constance Lemuria Resort. This exclusive property has a spectacular swimming pool with three levels, direct access to three beautiful sandy beaches, and its own eighteen-hole championship golf course.
We love it for: The guest suites are scattered along two pristine beaches, positioned no more than fifteen meters from the shore, but the most exclusive of them is the Presidential Suite. Set among granite boulders on the southern tip of one of the resort’s beautiful beaches, it is an accommodation designed to deliver a unique private experience.
Photos © Constance Hospitality Management
Denis Private Island is a self-sufficient, tropical hideaway which will fully connect you back to nature. Geared towards families with children and proud of it conservationist efforts, this tiny private paradise is covered by a luscious jungle and home to many indigenous birds species, as well as giant tortoises.
“Denis Island is a living, breathing island community, for those who believe giving back to nature is the only way to receive its bounty in return”
The twenty-five quaint, pretty cottages of the resort have a distinctive character and are so isolated and secluded it feels like you’re on your own deserted island. All have direct access to the beach, and interiors making them look like gorgeous beach houses.
We love it for: The barefoot luxury in its purest form. Expect no mobile network signal, no in-room internet, and no cable television. This island is for you to unplug from the modern world, and reconnect with things that truly matter.
Pro tip: Bring with you some good beach reads.
Photos © Denis Island
With rugged cliffs, jungles of primeval forest, valleys and meandering rivers, Silhouette is simply spell-binding. Today a sliver of the island is taken over by the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, a beautiful resort designed in a simple island-chic style. The villas, located on the beachfront or up on hills are generously sized, and furnished with nods to the Creole vernacular. The island itself is the main draw here, and the hotel boasts a range of experiences and attractions taking advantage of the location.
We love it for: The raw nature and vast landscape of the island are simply incredible, with 98% of the island made into protected land.
Pro tip: Drones can be often an annoyance to the other guests and locals, but Silhouette Island is where they can make a lot of sense, as most of the land is uninhabited. Check out the latest range of drones on Amazon.
Photo © Hilton
This is the largest resort in Seychelles, with 313 rooms and villas, and offering a ton of attractions on-site and plenty of activities outside. There are four tennis courts, a squash court, and as many as five shops, and the spa has eighteen treatment rooms. Watersports, yoga lessons, fishing and diving excursions, and even a zip wire are among the attractions. Dining options are varied and attractive, with five restaurants, as well as bars located in the resort or on the two beautiful beaches. There are also several swimming pools, located strategically between the rooms.
We love it for: The full resort experience. From chilling by the (many) swimming pools to lone hiking across the hills or staying put in the privacy of your villa, you can experience this place as little or as much as you wish.
Pro Tip: The resort will provide you with basic gear for these snorkeling excursions, but if you are a bit pickier the full-face snorkeling masks can make all the difference.
Photos © Constance Hospitality Management
The hand-picked 50, plus more than 80 other notable openings
Seychelles has so much to offer when comes to luxury hotels that we felt we have to include at least some that didn’t quite make it to the list proper — but are at least worth a mention.
Cousine Island – Exclusive Private Island Villas (image below, left).
Bird Island Lodge, Bird Island.
JA Enchanted Island Resort, Round Island.
Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa, Mahé (image below, right).
Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa, Mahé.
Le Méridien Fisherman’s Cove, Mahé.
Eden Bleu Hotel, Eden Island, Mahé.
The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach, Beau Vallon, Mahé.
Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Mahé.
Le Château De Feuilles, Praslin.
Dhevatara Beach Hotel, Praslin.
Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa, La Digue Island. We love this one for its location on the laid back La Digue, home to the most beautiful beach in Seychelles. The world-famous Anse Source d’Argent is only a short journey away (via bicycle, complimentary for each guest).
Alphonse Island Lodge, Alphonse Island.
Pro Tip: Before you go, make sure you pack in style. We tried a lot of different brands of luggage, but love the most the Bric’s Bellaggio range, so are happy to recommend it.
Author: Travel+Style. Last updated: 07/09/2019
