My Seychelles Experience: The Ultimate Guide to Seychelles Holidays

Why Visit the Seychelles?

The Seychelles is made up of more than 100 islands in the Indian Ocean, with Mahé, Praslin and La Digue being some of the best known. What I love about the Seychelles is the variety.

You can stay in a luxurious five star resort with everything you need on site, spend your days relaxing on some of the world's most beautiful beaches, explore tropical forests and unique wildlife, enjoy Creole cuisine or travel between islands to experience a completely different side of Seychelles. It is also a fantastic destination for a honeymoon in the Seychelles, a special anniversary, milestone birthday or simply a holiday where you want to completely escape from everyday life. And having now experienced it myself, I can see exactly why so many people fall in love with it.

The Best Seychelles Hotels I Experienced

One of the most valuable parts of my trip was being able to experience different hotels first hand. This is something I always find really useful when I'm recommending holidays to my clients because photographs only tell you so much.

Two hotels can both be described as five star luxury, but the actual experience can be completely different.

Savoy Seychelles Resort

My first stay was at the Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa, located directly on Beau Vallon Beach in Mahé This is a spacious, modern resort with a fantastic location and a lovely relaxed atmosphere.The hotel has a huge swimming pool, beautiful gardens, several dining options and direct access to one of Mahé's most famous beaches. My room was light, modern and really comfortable, with a balcony where I could sit with a coffee and listen to the sea. And honestly, mornings like that are exactly what I want from a luxury Seychelles holiday

One of the highlights for me was the spa. I enjoyed a couple of treatments during my stay and they were exactly what you hope for when you are away somewhere beautiful. It was the perfect way to completely relax after a day of exploring.

Who would I recommend Savoy Seychelles to?

I think Savoy Seychelles is a great choice for couples and families who want a luxury resort with plenty of facilities, while still being close to local life. The location on Beau Vallon Beach is a real advantage. You have a beautiful swimming beach on your doorstep, but you can also venture outside the resort and find restaurants, local stalls and more of the atmosphere of Mahé. For me, it is a really good all round option for a Seychelles family holiday or a relaxed couples' escape.

Constance Ephelia Seychelles

My second stay was at Constance Ephelia Seychelles, and this felt completely different from the Savoy. Located on the west coast of Mahé, Constance Ephelia is surrounded by lush tropical gardens, mangroves, mountains and two beautiful beaches. The resort is huge, but I actually loved that about it. There are little pathways, wooden walkways, bridges and tropical gardens to explore, so it almost feels like a little village surrounded by nature rather than a traditional large hotel. There are several swimming pools, a choice of restaurants and plenty of activities, including kayaking and zip lining. You can be as active as you want or simply find somewhere peaceful and spend the day relaxing. That flexibility is one of the things I think makes  Constance Ephelia a fantastic Seychelles resort for families. There is plenty to keep children entertained, but couples will also find lots of peaceful spaces where they can simply enjoy the surroundings.

Who would I recommend Constance Ephelia to?

If you like having lots of choice on holiday, this is definitely one to consider. I would recommend Constance Ephelia Seychelles to families, couples and anyone who likes a larger luxury resort with plenty of facilities and activities. The setting is incredible and, because the resort is surrounded by so much nature, it never felt as though you were simply staying in a large hotel.

Two More Seychelles Hotels I Visited

Another great part of my Seychelles familiarisation trip was getting the opportunity to visit other hotels. This is incredibly useful when I'm helping clients choose their  Seychelles accommodation,  as I can give them my honest opinion about the atmosphere and who I think each property would suit.

Hilton Seychelles

The Hilton had that lovely polished five star feel you would expect from an international luxury hotel brand. The rooms and public areas were stylish, the service was excellent and the setting was beautiful, with lush greenery and those incredible Seychelles sea views. If you like the reassurance of a well known luxury hotel brand but still want to experience the natural beauty of the Seychelles, this is a lovely option.

Coco de Mer Hotel & Black Parrot Suites

Coco de Mer was a completely different experience again. This is a much more intimate and relaxed property and I really liked its character. It has beautiful gardens, lovely areas overlooking the ocean and a wonderfully laid back atmosphere. It is the sort of hotel where I could imagine sitting on the terrace for hours, watching the sea and not really worrying about what time it is! couples looking for a romantic Seychelles holiday, this is definitely one I would consider. Compared with the larger resorts such as Savoy and Constance Ephelia, Coco de Mer feels much more like a little hideaway.

The Best Beaches in Seychelles

Of course, you cannot talk about  Seychelles holidays without talking about the beaches! And yes, they really are as beautiful as you imagine.

Beau Vallon Beach,

Mahé Beau Vallon is one of the most famous beaches in Mahé, Seychelles, and for very good reason. It is a long sweeping bay with beautiful soft sand, clear water and a lovely atmosphere. What I particularly liked about Beau Vallon is that it has a bit of life around it. There are water sports, local stalls, restaurants and places to enjoy an evening, so you aren't completely isolated. Staying at the Savoy meant that this incredible beach was practically on my doorstep. I think  Beau Vallon is one of the best beaches in Seychelles for families and couples who want beautiful scenery but also like having restaurants and things to do nearby.

Anse Intendance,

Anse Intendance was completely different. This beach felt much more wild and dramatic, with incredibly soft white sand, turquoise water and the huge granite boulders that make the Seychelles so recognisable. It felt much more untouched than Beau Vallon. The waves can be stronger here, so it isn't necessarily the beach I would choose if swimming is your main priority, but for scenery it is absolutely incredible. It is one of those places where you arrive, look around and think, "Wow." And yes, I took plenty of photographs because I knew nobody at home was going to believe me when I said it really looked like this!

Seychelles Food and Creole Cuisine

One of the things I always enjoy when travelling is trying the local food, and Seychelles certainly didn't disappoint. One of my highlights was trying kari koko, a traditional Seychellois Creole curry made with coconut milk. It was absolutely delicious. It is full of flavour and spices without being overwhelmingly hot, with the coconut giving it a lovely creamy taste. I think food is such an important part of experiencing a destination, and trying traditional  Seychellois cuisine gave me another little insight into the culture and history of the islands.

Visiting Takamaka Rum Distillery

We also visited the Takamaka Rum Distillery, which was such an interesting experience. It was fascinating to learn how the rum is produced and how much of it is influenced by the tropical climate and Creole culture of the Seychelles. And, of course, there was a tasting! We tried several different varieties and learnt about how they were made and what made each one different. It was one of those excursions that gives you a much better understanding of the destination rather than simply visiting another beautiful beach. If you enjoy food, drink and local experiences, I would definitely recommend including something like this in a  Seychelles holiday itinerary

The Coco de Mer

Another part of the trip that I found really fascinating was learning about the famous coco de mer . The coco de mer is a palm that is native to the Seychelles and produces the largest and heaviest seed in the plant kingdom. It has a fascinating history and has been surrounded by myths and legends for centuries. We learnt about how slowly the palm grows, why the seed is so important and the conservation work involved in protecting it. It was a lovely reminder that the Seychelles is about much more than beaches and luxury hotels. There are incredibly unique plants, animals and ecosystems here, and protecting them is a huge part of keeping the islands so special.

Is Seychelles Good for Families?

Absolutely.

Before visiting, you might automatically think of the Seychelles as purely a honeymoon destination, but I think that sells it short.There are some fantastic family friendly Seychelles hotels, particularly larger resorts such as Constance Ephelia, where there are plenty of facilities and activities to keep children entertained. Beau Vallon is also a great area for families because of its beautiful beach and the choice of activities and restaurants nearby.

So if you are looking for a luxury family holiday to Seychelles, I would definitely recommend considering it.

Is Seychelles Good for Couples and Honeymoons?

This is where I think Seychelles really comes into its own. If you are looking for a Seychelles honeymoon, romantic getaway or special anniversary holiday, it is difficult to imagine a more beautiful setting. The beaches, beautiful hotels, incredible sunsets and slower pace of life all lend themselves perfectly to a romantic holiday. And there are plenty of different hotel styles, from larger luxury resorts with lots of facilities to smaller, more intimate properties such as Coco de Mer. That means I can help match the hotel to what you actually want from your holiday rather than simply choosing the most expensive option.

Large Luxury Resorts or Intimate Seychelles Hotels?

One of the biggest things I took away from my trip was just how different your Seychelles holiday can be depending on where you stay. The larger resorts such as Savoy Seychelles and Constance Ephelia are fantastic if you like having lots of facilities, restaurants, activities and space around you. They are particularly good for families, but also work really well for couples who enjoy having plenty of choice.

Then you have hotels such as Coco de Mer, which offer something much more intimate and peaceful. This is why I think choosing the right hotel is so important when planning a Seychelles holiday They aren't all the same. The location, beach, atmosphere, facilities and style of the hotel can completely change the feel of your holiday. And because I have now experienced these hotels myself, I can give my clients much more honest advice about which one I think would suit them.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Seychelles?

The Seychelles is a fantastic year round destination, which is another reason I think it works so well for a luxury long haul holiday. The islands have a tropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year. Different months can offer slightly different conditions depending on whether you are looking for calmer seas, diving, snorkelling, sailing or simply relaxing on the beach. This is where I can help because there isn't necessarily one single "best month" for everyone. It depends on what you want to do, which islands you want to visit and the type of holiday you are looking for.<

Would I Go Back to Seychelles?

Absolutely.

The Seychelles is one of those destinations that is difficult to explain until you have actually been there.

Yes, it is beautiful.Yes, the beaches are incredible.

And yes, the hotels are luxurious. But there is something else about it.

It feels peaceful. It feels special. And despite being a luxury long haul destination, it still feels incredibly natural and authentic.

Whether you are looking for a Seychelles honeymoon, a romantic escape, a luxury beach holiday, a family holiday or perhaps a multi centre island hopping adventure, there are so many ways to experience the Seychelles. And that is one of the things I love most about my job. Being able to visit destinations myself means that when you come to me and say, "I want somewhere beautiful, but I don't know where to start," I can give you advice based on actually being there. I can tell you which hotels I loved, which beaches I think are worth visiting, which resorts would work best for families or couples and, just as importantly, which options I think are right for your budget and the type of holiday you actually want.

Thinking About a Seychelles Holiday?

If the Seychelles has been sitting on your wish list, maybe now is the time to make it happen.

Whether you are planning a luxury Seychelles holiday, honeymoon, family holiday, anniversary trip or a special long haul escape, I would love to help.

I can look at the different islands, hotels, room types, board options and experiences and put together a holiday that is completely tailored to you. You don't need to spend hours searching through hundreds of Seychelles hotels and trying to work out which one is actually right for you.

That's where I come in. I've been there, I've experienced the hotels and I've seen the beaches for myself, so I can give you genuine first hand advice and take care of the details from start to finish.

If Seychelles is calling you, get in touch and let's start planning your dream Seychelles holiday.