Few places are as synonymous with a sun-and-sand vacation as the Seychelles. Scattered across the Indian Ocean, the archipelago’s 115 islands range from jungle-cloaked granite outcrops to pancake-flat coral specks, ringed with brilliantly white beaches that seem to have been plucked straight out of a Bounty Bar commercial. The Seychelles’ best resorts make the most of their perch, with private-pool villas hidden in the jungle fringe, and parasol-shaded loungers lining gorgeous stretches of turquoise sea and sand.
There are old favorites that have been welcoming intrepid sun-seekers for decades, while the buzzy newcomers have brought along serious culinary cred and ever-ambitious spas. Some are designed to do very little; others make for excellent bases for island-hopping, hiking adventures, and close encounters with the country’s eclectic wildlife and colorful Creole culture. Whichever type you fancy, here are the Seychellois resorts worth checking out.
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches If you daydream about disappearing to a tropical island and spend a few days living out your Robinson Crusoe fantasy, Four Seasons Desroches may just be the ticket. As the second Four Seasons outpost in the country, this all-villa resort is the only occupant (save for a staff village) of Île Desroches, a palm-pinned, coral-ringed island about a 35-minute flight west of Mahé. More than nine miles of blissfully unbuilt beach ring its forested interior, and while cycling around the endless sandy trails, you’re more likely to meet one of the 150 resident giant Aldabra tortoises than another hotel guest.
There are two oceanfront pools, but they’re rarely busy: when not curled up with a book along one of the numerous beaches (some with a bar or pop-up food truck, others with a self-service shack stocked with towels and cold water), you’ll likely find yourself in your villa’s sprawling backyard. Each one is fitted with a private pool, shaded reading nooks, and a pillow-padded sala for lazy afternoon naps, while spa-like bathrooms and lots of wicker and wood details keep things breezy inside. Pop out for Japanese tempura and sushi at Ahi, or global comfort staples (truffle pizza, Sriracha-drizzled chicken burgers, Creole octopus curry) at all-day diner Claudine.
Come sunset, you’ll want to make your way to The Lighthouse on the island’s southern tip, where local rum-punchy drinks come paired with dazzling views over the resort’s lush grounds. Amenities: Restaurants, bar, spa, gym, tennis court, pools Address: Unnamed Road, Desroches Island, Seychelles North Island North Island is often mentioned in the same breath as some of the world’s private-island greats (the likes of Madagascar’s Miavana and The Brando in French Polynesia), and for good reason: only accessible by helicopter, and with just 11 villas sprinkled across a 200-hectare jumble of granite hills, tropical forests and quiet coves, this is as hush-hush exclusive as a resort can get. Each mini-estate spans a whopping 450 square meters, with two separate bedrooms, a breezy living area, fully kitted-out kitchen, plunge pool, and direct access to your own slice of powder-white sand.
They’re hand-built from reclaimed timber, local stone and thatch, and furnished with curtains of clinging seashells, driftwood details, and swathes of creamy linen. Each one comes with a dedicated, whatever-you-wish villa attendant, who wears many hats: they’re there to serve table-spanning breakfast spreads on your terrace or candlelit dinners at the beachfront Piazza lounge, arrange muscle-melting massages in the hilltop spa, or close off the aptly-named Honeymoon Beach on the island’s western side for a private champagne picnic—and a cheeky skinny-dip, if you fancy. Between the local rum tasting workshops, sunset cruises, and private BBQ dinners (all included in the rate, so there’s no need to fret about the bill), eke out at least one morning for an island hike with one of the resident naturalists.
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