The Seychelles
The main island is Mahe, where the international airport is situated. After arriving on our Etihad flight (via Abu Dhabi) we were whisked off to the Savoy Resort & Spa which lies on Beau Vallon Beach; 3km of pristine sand and the only beach in the Seychelles where motorised water sports are allowed! There are many beautiful hotels on Mahe, including some that are ideal for couples, such as the Hilton Northolme or the Banyan Tree, but there are others that are perfect for families, my favourite being the Constance Ephelia, with fantastic villas offering families great accommodation with all the benefits and services of a 5* hotel.
The Capital of Victoria on Mahe is definitely worth a visit, with its own mini “Big Ben” clock tower and its colourful market which remains the bustling heart of the capital. Take a visit to the oldest historic site in Seychelles, the Bel Air Cemetery - the tombs contain some historical characters including a 9ft giant Charles Dorothee Savy.
I would recommend seeing more than one island in the Seychelles, namely Praslin, La Digue and Silouette Islands. From Mahe, we took the 60 minute ferry crossing to Praslin Island (a flight is also possible) and visited the famous UNESCO site, the Legendary Valle de Mai. It is home to six different indigenous trees, including some 6000 Coco-de-mer trees, and it is also the last habitat of the endangered Black Parrot. It was well worth the visit - a really enjoyable experience.
Praslin has a good variety of hotels and we visited the 3* Indian Ocean Lodge; a lovely 32 room hotel with ocean views from the contemporary rooms. The hotel is owned and run by locals and has a very friendly feel to it.
Interconnecting rooms make it a viable family option. We then went on to our hotel for the night. The Constance Lemuria has recently completed a renovation and it is a truly stunning hotel. The location is fabulous, with several beautiful beaches and the rooms were also large and of a very high standard. It does have a kids’ club and villas are available for families or groups. It is also home to the only 18-hole golf course in the Seychelles and certainly one of the most picturesque ones I’ve ever seen.
La Digue was my favourite island where you will find Ans Source d’ Argent, said to be most photographed beach in the world. With its giant granite boulders which have been sculpted by the elements over time and its shallow reef, it is a safe place for children to paddle. We also visited what was my favourite hotel, a small B&B boutique hotel and restaurant - Le Repaire. It is in one of most stunning settings I’ve ever seen, a real little gem where a two or three night stay would be well worthwhile. La Digue has a real taste of the Caribbean and it is a great place to chill out! A day visit was all too short.
We returned to Praslin and spent the night at the Coco de Mer hotel, which backs onto the Valle De Mai and overlooks the ocean. It is a wonderful hotel in a wonderful setting albeit a little off the beaten track.
A 45-minute private ferry crossing took us to the unspoilt Silhouette Island, where we stayed at The Hilton Labriz Resort. Our villa was right on the beach, perfect for couples or families. There are no cars or roads on the 25km spanning island; only a handful of people live there. This was a perfect island for eco-tourists who will marvel at its unspoilt nature.
All in all the Seychelles was all I expected and more. As the Valle de Mai guide said when I asked “how are you today” his reply “ I’m great, I live in paradise” - a perfect answer!
Footnote: Since I travelled to the Seychelles, BA have announced they are starting a direct flight from London in March 2018!