Alisha's Recent Visit to the Seychelles

Our first destination was the Four Seasons on Desroches Island. The island itself is fairly large, with 14km of beach encircling it. The hotel and its facilities are focused around one end, with everything within an easy bicycle ride of the villas and suites. There are a number of beaches across the island that can be accessed either by bicycle or on foot. Pop up bars rotated daily around the island’s more secluded beaches, each of which was well stocked with cold, filtered water and beach towels inside a beach hut that housed a bathroom. One morning we set off by bike to visit each spot, and by the final beach, we were more than ready for a refreshing dip in the sea and the chance to rehydrate!

For a small island, there was an impressive amount of wildlife to see. Simply walking along the beaches, we spotted turtles and eagle rays while giant tortoises freely roam the island. The hotel’s ‘Discovery Centre’ is packed with information on the marine life and wildlife found around the island, as well as detailing the conservation work implemented by the onsite foundation. It’s well worth a visit, particularly for keen snorkellers and divers.

From the moment we stepped off the plane, the service was fantastic. We were staying in one of the hotel’s residences, perfect for larger groups, and therefore had a dedicated ‘Island Concierge’. Dave, our villa host, was always on hand to arrange restaurant and spa reservations, take us on guided tours of the island and help with anything else we needed. Every staff member we met was warm and welcoming, genuinely happy to chat with guests and find ways to make our trip special. Budi, the resort manager, found out my mother had lived in Indonesia as a child and loved Indonesian food. Later in our trip, he surprised us with a special lunch prepared by an Indonesian chef on the island. Dave noticed my father enjoyed the carrot cake one afternoon, and so the kitchen surprised him with a special version to celebrate his birthday.

While our stay was exceptional, there is one thing to note – the WiFi wasn’t the best. The team did mention they are working to improve it, and as a remote island, we probably shouldn’t be too surprised, however, it is worth downloading any books or TV shows you may want in advance.

The thoughtful touches and personal service ensure our stay at Four Seasons Desroches went beyond the expected luxurious accommodation, delicious food and idyllic setting.

Next up, we made our way to Constance Lemuria. The resort is set on Praslin, the Seychelles’ second largest island. The hotel is best known for three things: its stunning golf course, the signature three-tier pool, and Anse Georgette, a beach that regularly appears on lists of the world’s most beautiful.

My mother is an avid golfer, while my father is more of a fair-weather golfer. Both were keen to play at Constance Lemuria. As a non-golfer, I can’t say much beyond how stunning the course looked, but my parents described it as ‘challenging’ - and advised bringing plenty of extra balls! The back 9 holes are the most picturesque, reaching high viewpoints where you can see across to the ocean.

As it was my father’s birthday while we were at Constance Lemuria, we planned a few special treats in advance. Constance Lemuria is fantastic at arranging little extra touches, and the resort offers a number of secluded spots and viewpoints to celebrate special events. On the evening of my father’s birthday, we had dinner at Nest On The Rocks, a private dining platform with stunning views. A few days later, we celebrated again with champagne and cocktails at the 15^th Tee, one of the highest points of the resort, offering fantastic ocean views.

Constance Hotels & Resorts are renowned for their food and beverage offerings, and Constance Lemuria was no exception. My favourite evening was the Creole BBQ held on the beach. I am usually not a big fan of buffets, but this one was particularly good. There was a whole host of delicious seafood and meat available from the grill, as well as fresh salads and Creole curries. My personal highlight – the rum and coconut flambéed bananas.

Constance Lemuria was a lovely, laidback resort with one of the best settings in the Seychelles’ inner islands.

Lastly, for the night before we flew home, we stayed at the Four Seasons Mahe. It was a brief visit, so these are very much first impressions, but the location alone is breathtaking. The resort’s villas are scattered across steep hillsides surrounding a stunning bay. The beach is fairly long, with soft white sand and turquoise waters, creating beautiful views from the villas. As someone who loves a sunset view, watching the sun slip below the horizon from my villa high on the hillside was the perfect way to end my last day in the Seychelles.

The villas themselves are incredibly spacious, featuring a large private terrace, an infinity pool, and one of the largest baths I’ve ever seen—perfectly positioned to take in the view through floor-to-ceiling windows. Villa 111 is said to have the best views, as it sits highest on the hillside and is angled to take in most of the beach. After comparing the views from three different villas, including Villa 111, I’d have to agree!

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Kannel, the Mediterranean restaurant overlooking the main pool, and the resort’s breakfast spread was overflowing with tropical fruit and delicate pastries, alongside à la carte options like Creole-style eggs Benedict and American pancakes.