The natural splendour of Seychelles has always drawn travellers, earning its place among the world's most sought-after destinations. Located 1,600 kilometres off the east coast of Africa, these islands maintain a sense of seclusion, far from typical tourist routes and cruise ship paths. Many of the islands exist as they have for centuries, like smaller versions of the Galápagos or Madagascar. With several protected reserves and two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Seychelles is an ideal setting for its world-class resorts. From private island retreats to beachfront villas, these are the best places to stay in the Seychelles.
Luxury Resorts
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
Placing you 250 miles south of Mahé in the remote Amirantes archipelago, Desroches Island delivers a true Robinson Crusoe feel. This former coconut plantation, which until the 1980s was home to just a handful of workers, now hosts Four Seasons' newest Seychelles venture, opened in 2021. The island's natural character remains intact, with its interior a maze of towering palms and winding bicycle paths.
The resort features 71 beachfront villas, including larger residences for groups, each with private pools and outdoor showers. Inside, the décor takes inspiration from the destination, from vaulted ceilings and wooden chests concealing TVs to canopied beds and palm-print textiles.
This is the perfect place to disconnect and focus on the island's many attractions. Days can be spent practicing yoga at dawn, swimming with Hawksbill turtles, or enjoying Terre d'Afrique treatments at the spa. The five restaurants and bars showcase local Creole cooking. The highlight comes at sunset, when guests gather at The Lighthouse, Takamaka rum cocktails in hand, to watch the sky turn from blue to brilliant shades of pink and gold.
Location: Desroches Island, Amirantes Archipelago
Cheval Blanc Seychelles
Gracing the pristine shores of Anse Intendance on Mahé Island, LVMH's newest Cheval Blanc property is where celebrated architect Jean-Michel Gathy has brought his vision to life with 52 villas. Each is incredibly spacious – starting at 220 square metres and extending up to 620 square metres – with private 13-metre pools that appear to float above the landscape.
The villas feel like luxury beach houses, with expansive windows that bring the outside in, while interiors reflect the soft blues and greens of the ocean. Each villa comes with its own butler, anticipating your needs before you even realise them.
With five restaurants to choose from, there’s Le White for Creole-inspired international dishes, Vivamento, a charming Italian spot by the pool, and Sula, a relaxed Mediterranean beach club. For something special, Mizumi serves an exquisite Japanese menu in a restored Creole cottage, while Le 1947 brings home a fine dining French experience.
Away in the greenery, Guerlain Spa is perfect for some pampering. Art connoisseurs will appreciate the carefully curated pieces throughout the resort, including La Centauresse, an eye-catching sculpture by French artist Prune Nourry.
Location: Anse Intendance, Mahé Island, Seychelles
Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels and Resorts
What was once Italian fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri's private Mahé home has been transformed by LXR Hotels & Resorts into a 41-room boutique hotel. Its ultra-scenic seclusion on Mahé is a peaceful Seychelles escape – you could easily spend hours gazing at the stunning bay views, either from the beach, the two pools, or a private balcony, and feel completely revitalised.
The hotel takes pride in showcasing local talent, from island artisans to Seychellois suppliers. Rooms are bright and modern, with a seaside feel that matches their surroundings. While the accommodations are lovely, the dining options are what make evenings special – choose between Japanese omakase experiences, fresh Creole seafood, or cocktails by the water as the sun sets.
Location: Mahé
Raffles Seychelles
On the slopes of Praslin Island, Raffles brings together the best of the Seychelles and access to the famous Anse Lazio beach – think soft white sand and clear turquoise waters perfect for swimming. The resort's 86 villas are some of the most impressive on the island, each coming with its own plunge pool, butler service, and floor-to-ceiling windows that show off the Indian Ocean views.
After a day in the sun, you can enjoy treatments using local ingredients at the hillside spa or sample the resort's six restaurants, which range from local Creole dishes to global favourites. The more adventurous can hop between islands by boat, join guided snorkelling trips, or set sail for sunset cruises.
Location: Praslin Island
Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas
Along the southwest coast of Mahé, Anantara Maia takes luxury to another level with just 30 villas set in quiet spots along the shoreline. Each villa offers a sense of complete seclusion, with an infinity pool, outdoor bathtub, and a butler who makes everything effortless.
The resort breaks from typical hotel rules – there are no set menus or meal times. Have breakfast on the beach at noon or enjoy a late-night feast under the stars. The chefs create everything from local Creole dishes to international favourites, always perfectly paired with wines from their cellar.
Days here revolve around pure relaxation. Morning yoga sessions overlook the ocean, the spa offers treatments inspired by ancient healing practices, and you can explore the island's hidden coves by boat or on foot.
Location: Mahé Island
Private Island Resort Retreats
Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island
Surrounded by lagoons and sea reefs rich with marine life, Platte Island (meaning "flat" in French) lies 130 kilometres south of Mahé, the largest island in Seychelles. The property, once an abandoned coconut plantation, has been transformed by Hilton Worldwide's Waldorf Astoria brand. During construction of the 50 villas, the team carefully preserved the natural environment, enhancing the landscape with gardenias, octopus bushes, and local flora. The result is a secluded island paradise that appeals to both families and honeymooners looking to absorb natural experiences without ever deviating too far from modern comforts.
The villas, ranging from one to three bedrooms plus the five-bedroom King Deluxe Villa with its gardens, stretch along the island's western and southern shores. Inside, wooden floors and palm-patterned decor complement earthy-toned bathrooms with white freestanding tubs and speckled tile work. Nature provides endless entertainment – some villas back onto turtle nesting grounds, offering front-row views during egg-laying season. Near SandBank Beach on the northwest corner, you can wade through clear shallows spotting young stingrays and baby reef sharks, while Shark Point Beach to the south has deeper waters perfect for swimming.
Location: Platte Island
North Island
Since opening its doors in 2003, North Island has maintained its position as the Seychelles' most popular hideaway. Covering 201 hectares with 11 villas, it offers one of the world's most private island experiences. Recent renovations have enhanced the property, introducing thoughtful touches like hand-crafted brass headboards and soft silk rugs. The property has aged gracefully, settling into its surroundings while maintaining its signature relaxed spirit that has drawn guests for over two decades.
The island's commitment to conservation runs deep, with a team of full-time environmentalists and landscapers working year-round. Guests are invited to participate in forest restoration projects as part of a true eco-conscious retreat. This dedication to preservation, combined with its ultra-exclusive setting – hosting only a handful of visitors at any time – has attracted notable individuals, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who chose it for their 2011 honeymoon.
Location: North Island, Inner Islands
Six Senses Zil Pasyon
One of the finest private islands in the Indian Ocean, Félicité covers 652 acres, where nature has been carefully restored to its wild state. Run by the sure-handed spa specialist group, the Six Senses brand has created something special here – just 30 villas set between forest and rock, each designed to feel like a treehouse. The rooms are simple yet beautiful, with local wood floors and expansive glass windows that make you feel part of the landscape. Inside, ocean colours and natural materials keep things calm and connected to the setting.
The area feels both very primitive – and, thanks to eco-initiatives, very advanced. It’s the kind of place you find yourself daydreaming about months after leaving.
Location: Félicité Island
Denis Private Island
A place where digital detox is not a trend but a way of life. Denis Private Island is one of the last true resorts, where there is no Wi-Fi, no television – just the sounds of waves, wind, and birdsong. Its 25 cottages, set along a crescent of white sand, offer an escape into simplicity, though luxury remains ever-present. Meals are farm-to-table, crafted from island-grown produce, and each day is dictated by nature’s ebb and flow. Mornings bring reef dives where turtles glide through coral gardens; afternoons are spent wandering through forests alive with rare birds. For the kind of peace that is fast disappearing, Denis is a rare treasure.
Location: Denis Private Island, Outer Islands
Fregate Island Private
An island where time slows to mirror nature’s rhythm. Here, 2,200 Aldabra tortoises roam freely, endemic birds flit through canopies of takamaka trees, and seven beaches – each seemingly untouched – invite exploration. Fregate Island Private is an eco-hideaway of 16 villas. Visitors can join conservationists on turtle monitoring walks, dive into coral restoration projects, or simply retreat to their villa, where an infinity pool and a personal butler await. The culinary ethos is farm-to-table – seafood pulled straight from the water, vegetables harvested from the island’s gardens, and rare tropical fruits served on hand-carved platters.
Location: Fregate Island, Inner Islands
The Seychelles offers something increasingly rare in today's world – places where luxury means more than just thread counts and infinity pools. These resorts, each with their own character, preserve the islands' natural beauty while providing comfort and service that compete with the world's finest hotels. Here, excellence is measured not in stars or ratings, but in moments of pure tranquility and natural wonder.
