SEYCHELLES
ONTHE SEASHORE
You could be forgiven for thinking the 115 islands of the Seychelles archipelago have been scattered carelessly into the indian ocean by some giant hand. it’s an extraordinary sight as you swoop for the final approach into Mahe, 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa. And the added good news is that you can now get there on a ten-hour direct flight, as British Airways restarts its twice-weekly service from Heathrow today (from £698 return) after 14 years.
And there’s no shortage of places to stay — to suit all budgets.
TREAT YOURSELF Best for golfers and loved-up couples
Tucked away in Anse kerlan, a pretty corner of Praslin, constance Lemuria’s villas face onto one of the best beaches.
check out the turtle conservation and complimentary green fees for the country’s only 18- hole championship golf course. elegant Resorts ( elegant
resorts.co.uk, 01244 897000) has seven-night B&B deals from £ 2,545pp, including flights and transfers.
Best for a fly and flop holiday
HiLTon Seychelles Labriz Resort and Spa is perfect for a ‘ fly and flop’ holiday, staying in attractive rooms along a 1½ mile stretch of powder beaches. Plus, you’ll get to see the island of Silhouette’s giant tortoises.
British Airways ( ba.com) offers seven- night B& B deals from £ 1,414 pp, including flights.
Best for old school nostalgia
one of the oldest hotels in the Seychelles, Le Meridien Fisherman’s cove is set in exotic gardens at the end of Mahe’s Beau Vallon Beach. Le cocoloba Bar is the place for a sundowner before settling into one of the two restaurants for creole cuisine.
Seychelles Travel ( seychelles- travel. com, 01202 877330) offers
seven-night holidays from £1,430pp, including flights. Best for lazily admiring the views
Named after the palm tree, coco de Mer and Black Parrot Suites on Praslin are all about seclusion and nature. This is a modern hotel and its adjacent juniorsuite wing is perched on a dramatic rock outcrop.
Seven-nights’ B&B with Travelbag ( travelbag.co.uk, 0207 001 5248) cost from £1,099pp, including flights.
BUDGET CHOICE Best for reliving your youth — in comfort
AugeRine guesthouse on Mahe’s Beau Vallon Beach has 12 rooms and three junior suites. The restaurant features an upturned 400-year- old Takamaka tree, the roots of which form the ceiling. Rooms ( augerine
hotel. com) cost from £148 B&B a night. Best for getting out and about
on A lagoon in the southwest corner of Praslin, Palm Beach hotel has a laid-back atmosphere but plenty to keep you busy, including fly-fishing and sea kayaking, plus a restaurant serving creole food. Rooms ( palmbeach seychelles.com) cost from £78 a night B&B.
Best for peace and quiet
Le ReLAx Luxury Lodge is close to Mahe’s Fairyland Beach, one of the best snorkelling beaches in the Seychelles. chalets come with glass- walled bathrooms, providing super views of the ocean or mountains.
Seven-night B&B holidays with local company Seyvillas ( en.seyvillas.com, 049 (0)521 44818616) cost from £178 a night B&B for two people.
BLOW OUT Best for lottery winners
noRTH island is a superluxurious resort on an island so private all the guests arrive by helicopter. Just 11 fabulous villas provide what could be the ultimate romantic break. Small wonder this is where William
Direct f lights start today — here’s our guide for where to stay . . .
and Kate chose to take their honeymoon. Just Seychelles ( just
seychelles.com, 01342 547001) has seven-night all-inclusive holidays from £18,269 pp with flights and transfers.
Best for lovers of trendy spas
THE newly opened Six Senses Zil Pasyon on Felicite Island offers 30 villas, all with private infinity pools and butlers. Head for the Koko Bar for a sundowner before dinner in the Island Cafe or Ocean Kitchen. Carrier ( carrier.co.uk, 0161 826 9849) has seven nights’ B&B from £5,730 pp including flights and helicopter transfers. Best for a room with plunge pool ON THE north-eastern tip of Praslin, Raffles Seychelles has 86 villas each with a plunge pool. There’s a good choice of restaurants and the Pool Restaurant & Bar, where everyone hangs out during the day.
Seven nights’ B&B with Destinology ( destinology. co. uk, 01204 208991) cost from £ 3,299 pp, including flights and transfers.