Four Seasons Seychelles Resorts: Two Properties in Paradise

By Robin Hutson

The Seychelles are legendary for their clear waters, stunning landscapes and white-sand beaches that consistently rank as some of the world’s most beautiful. Located in the western Indian Ocean off the tip of East Africa, the Seychelles is an archipelago made up of 115 islands. And while the Seychelles are renowned for being a favorite spot for honeymooners, they also make for an incredible, family-friendly beach escape. 

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The Seychelles’ proximity to Africa and the Middle East makes it an ideal beach destination. You can combine it with desert adventures or an African safari. Recently, I had the chance to explore the Seychelles after an unbelievable safari adventure in Tanzania. After a packed week of exploring the Serengeti, spending a few days in the Seychelles turned out to be the perfect place to unwind at the end of my trip. And I couldn’t have asked for a more luxurious break than the two Four Seasons Seychelles resorts.

Which Four Seasons Seychelles resort is right for you?

The Four Seasons has two resorts in the Seychelles: the original resort on the main island of Mahé and a second resort that was built in 2018 on the island of DesRoches. Though I found them both to be the epitome of island luxury, they were also uniquely different from each other. If you took the time to visit both like I did, you would not feel any duplication of your white sand beach vacation experience. 

Getting There

The Seychelles are approximately four hours from Middle East hubs like Doha and Dubai. The archipelago is three hours from Nairobi and six hours from South Africa. Their proximity to both regions makes the Seychelles an idyllic beach destination to add on at the end of a bucket list trip.

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

The original Four Seasons Seychelles resort on the island of Mahé is located minutes from Seychelles International Airport. The resort is built within the hills of the island so that the topography creates the resort experience of ‘reaching new heights.’ From the beautiful Petite Anse Beach to the hillside villas, there are probably thousands of stairs throughout the resort. One could climb to eventually reach the highest point at the top deck of the resort spa. Looking down, one would see all the villas built into the hillside. Be prepared to do some climbing at this resort, which is something to consider for guests with mobility issues. 

The décor at the resort is colonial with a mix of British and French influences. Think wicker plantation chairs, caned furniture, and botanical prints. There is a distinctly European feel to the design of the resort. In fact, the resort’s design was inspired by a Creole village. 

accommodations

Accommodations at the resort are generous. Standard rooms are dreamy individual villas. They feature plunge pools, open-air lounge areas with showers, and expansive square feet of living space. The majority of room categories feature either a king bed or two queens, and all villas include a daybed suitable for sleeping a child. Villas are categorized by garden view, ocean view, hilltop, or serenity view villas. The latter two categories boast spectacular vistas of the Indian Ocean. 

For families seeking larger accommodations, the resort has several multi-bedroom options. However, many of these villas are situated among outdoor lounge areas shared by individual structures, housing one bedroom in each structure. Please reach out so that we can determine what is the best option for your family’s needs based on the ages of the kids.

large groups & families

Suites at the resort are a great option for families or larger groups and come in two or three-bedroom layouts. Many suites, situated steps from the sand, feature private pools, outdoor showers, and lounge areas. The resort has two private residences that can sleep up to eight guests. This makes them an ideal option for families that want the extra space. The residences come with a full support staff, a fully stocked kitchen, and your own infinity pool. 

The three-bedroom presidential villa is close to the beach with an expansive private pool flanked by two large koi ponds, and the master bedroom is its own structure. The second building has two connecting rooms, one with a king bed, and the second room has two double beds. Each bedroom has its own private bath. The presidential villa also includes an air-conditioned living room, kitchen, and dining area. There are also two outdoor lounge spaces and dining areas close to the villa’s beach access.

The property suits families well, as it offers incredible flexibility with rollaway beds and multi-bedroom configurations. This is why it is essential to book with a Preferred Partner like Luxe Recess who knows the property and can recommend the best fit for your family.

amenities

Let’s start with the beach. It would not be an understatement to say that the resort’s beach ranks among one of the most beautiful in the world. It certainly earns its reputation as one of the top white-sand beaches in the Seychelles.

While it is certainly the main draw, adjacent to the beach is also an adorable kids’ club and a shallow swimming area specifically for young children. The kids’ club also offers the unique bonus of having an on-site nursery with cribs. It’s a truly thoughtful touch for little ones who may need some afternoon nap time as they adjust to jet lag. 

Just off the beach is a coral reef with fantastic snorkeling near marine life. It’s also perfect for exploring with a glass-bottom kayak. The resort boasts luxe wellness experiences at Le Syel Spa. It also has a state-of-the-art gym, a yoga pavilion, and personal training options. In addition to snorkeling, surfing, and sailing, guests can also paddleboard. You can also hike or book excursions ranging from offshore fishing to private helicopter tours. 

on-site dining options

The resort has four signature dining experiences, as well as a few bars and lounges. Zez is a hillside restaurant with an Asian-inspired menu. Each morning, they serve breakfast there. The beachfront Creole-inspired restaurant, Kannel, offers the freshest seafood. Koi is an intimate Japanese restaurant with a menu of sushi, rolls, and tempura. The Beachside Island Grill is a casual spot for chargrilled meats, seafood, and island favorites. You can also arrange bespoke dining experiences in your villa or on the beach.

While supremely romantic, the resort also hosts families, predominantly from Europe and the Middle East. It’s inclusive dining where you’ll see plenty of families enjoying a meal together, especially at the expansive breakfast buffet offered every morning. 

Overall, the food was elevated and fresh. The international clientele ensures that the kitchen has a wide range of inspired cuisine, while also embracing local seafood, curries and ingredients. You can even try and master the flavors of some of Seychelles’ most delicious dishes during one of the resort’s Creole cooking classes.

I really loved this resort because it didn’t feel like your typical Caribbean beach destination. The island also feels incredibly safe, and guests can easily explore beyond the resort to the many restaurants and cafes nearby. In fact, the area reminded me a bit of St. Barth, minus the action of Gustavia’s port.

The Four Seasons Resort on Mahé is a five-star resort running on all four cylinders. You’ll find outstanding service, accommodations, incredible dining, and great spa/beach amenities. 

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island

The Four Seasons Desroches is the only resort on a private island, accessible by direct flights that take approximately 35 minutes the main island of Mahé. You’ll arrive at the Mahe International Airport and check into the air seashell desk with the exclusive Four Seasons sign. They will check your bags and deliver them directly to your room later. If the skies are clear, you are in for a treat. 

After you board your plane—a 16-seater with open seating—you’re off on a quick trip above the ocean with some spectacular scenery. The arrival experience on the Desroches private airstrip is lovely. The building serves as both an arrival and departure lounge and the staff greets you with your room key upon arrival. Upon landing, the staff whisks you away on a buggy straight to your villa as soon as you complete the paperwork.

AN ESCAPE IN NATURE

With the idea that nature is truly the star of this resort, the décor is elevated but with more of a beachy, natural aesthetic—think desert island chic. With only around 60 rooms and less activity on Desroches Island, this resort promises—and delivers—on the fantasy of being an island castaway. The island exudes a peaceful, intimate, bohemian vibe, which is very laid back. This is in contrast to the slightly glitzier feel of the resort on Mahé.

Desroches is an island sitting on top of an atoll. Before visiting, I didn’t know what an atoll was, but discovering this topographical wonder has fascinated me. On one side of the island is the Indian Ocean, while on the other side is a sunken volcanic crater from thousands of years ago. Inside the crater is a natural habitat optimal for coral reefs, making the destination a favorite of snorkelers and scuba divers. 

unique wildlife

If you are a traveler who seeks total immersion in nature, this resort will not disappoint. The island is filled with friendly creatures, with the only predator being the mosquito. Despite being a mosquito magnet myself, I was perfectly fine after using the provided insect repellent. Along the sandy pathways, you can spot crabs daily. The main attractions, though, are the green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles that reside on the island. There’s even a sanctuary for these massive 100-year-old giant tortoises, who are also quite friendly and enjoy being fed by visitors.

While there are also wild turtles roaming about, the island’s largest turtle is George. Rumored to be over 200 years old, he’s a behemoth that genuinely seeks human interaction and enjoys being pet. Feeding and interacting with these creatures was such a delight, I truly felt as though I was feeding a dinosaur. 

Luminescent organisms are also present on the island. This excursion is great for those who have wanted to kayak and experience this phenomenon, similar to what is offered in Puerto Rico.

Nasreen, the island biologist, is a wealth of knowledge on this fascinating ecosystem and can share information about the islands, animals, birds, and unique plants. There’s also a farm on the island that provides produce and eggs to both Seychelles resorts, as well as to the owners of the Four Seasons Residences. 

accommodations

Entry accommodations are direct oceanfront, but keep in mind the beaches with these level accommodations are not swimmable. Rooms increase in category with proximity to the swimmable beaches. All the rooms feature natural wood or woven furniture, canopied beds with curtains, and island-inspired art. Every villa has a private plunge pool, outdoor verandah, and outdoor shower. Entry-level rooms have king beds as well as a daybed that would easily accommodate a child, and cribs are available for young children. 

luxe living spaces

Residence Villas are the largest accommodations and come with pools, outdoor spaces, a full kitchen and dining area, as well as a complete support staff. Residences range from two to five-bedrooms and can hold up to ten guests. The open gathering spaces and outdoor areas of the residences offer an incredible option for a multi-generational or multi-family vacation.

amenities

There are several beaches on Desroches. Each of the smaller beaches has a cabana with restroom, refrigerated bottles of water, picnic tables and kayaks. Every day the staff selects two beaches of the day and equip their cabanas so that guests have the option of exploring a variety of beaches throughout their stay. 

In addition to snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, fishing, and other watersports, the resort offers yoga, personal training, stargazing, and animal education programs. The Circle of Connection spa offers a full menu of island-inspired spa treatments. 

getting around

The island is flat and ideal for both bicycles and golf cart transportation. Your buggy and butler are ready to take you to wherever you need to go. Every villa comes equipped with bicycles, including those fitted for children of all sizes.

It can take 25 minutes for a golf cart to go the length of the island, and longer by bicycle. The resort is completely private, apart from the animal sanctuary, and is truly an ideal escape for families who love to explore at their leisure. 

Resort dining

There are three restaurants at the resort. Claudine is the signature restaurant, serving a menu of Italian, French and Greek specialties. A massive breakfast buffet is served to guests each morning there. Guests who book with Luxe Recess have complimentary breakfast during their stay as a part of my Preferred Partner benefits. Claudine also offers a changing menu in the evenings, such as a seafood buffet or Lebanese menu—don’t miss the truffle hummus, as it’s a delight for the taste buds. 

I loved The Deli, a Japanese Izakaya experience serving sushi and contemporary Asian-inspired dishes. The Lighthouse is the resort’s steakhouse that also serves a full menu of seafood and vegetarian options. Don’t forget to climb the lighthouse for incredible island views. 

I found the food at the resort to be outstanding, elevated, and varied. There is something for everyone’s palate, though some of the standouts were the homemade ice cream served on the property and the outstanding cocktail and mocktail menu, which takes advantage of local spices. I’m still obsessing over my mocktail made with basil, lemongrass, cloves, and a splash of pineapple juice. 

nature escape

The Four Seasons Desroches is an exceptional property with your own private paradise on a lush coral island. It is the perfect stay if total immersion in nature is your goal. It is an elevated experience while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere. If t-shirts and flip-flops are your thing, then this is your paradise. It truly is barefoot luxury at its finest.  

This is a resort where we can pass along VIP amenities for your stay including daily breakfast, a resort credit, and priority for a room upgrade. Learn more.