Sunday, October 9, 2011

SEYCHELLES

Félicité Island
Hotels
Zii Pasyon – Unnamed Road; 011-248-4-671-000; zilpasyon.com; all-villa hideaway on pristine private island; not-too-manicured tropical magnificence extends to white-sand beaches, curvaceous rocky outcrops & swaying shaggy palms; eco-conscious boutique getaway has ocean-front pool, handful of seafood-centric eateries & stress-melting spa; anorkel in clear-blue waters & float day away in your villa’s private plunge pool.

Fregate Island
Hotels
Fregate Island Private – 90 minute boat ride from Mahe; 011-248-670-100; frigate.com; 16 villas and 7 beaches on 500 acres; great bird-watching; from October to January, sea turtles lay eggs; March to May and September to November are best months to visit; great food; spa; Villa 16 has been Chimney Rock views; Villas 3-5 are just above beach; 1 and 2 are inland, in meadows.

Mahe Island
Hotels
Banyan Tree Seychelles – Intendance Bay; 011-248-383-500; banyantree.com; 37 villas, 22 on slopes and 15 on beach; 290 acres; excellent service; ask for Villas 209 or 210 for ocean views; 408 has most dramatic slope-side position; 201-203 share private cove.
Maia Resort & Spa – Anse Louis; 011-248-390-000; maia.com.sc; 30 villas dotting hillside; thatched roof compound; open-air spa; excellent French cuisine; villas have verandas, glass-walled garden showers, and private infinity pools; July-September; Maia Signature Villas (ask for 221) or Ocean Panoramic Villas are best and most private.
Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove – Bel Ombre (Victoria); o11-248-467-7000; lemeridienfishermanscove.com.
Restaurants
Marie-Antoinette – St. Louis Road (Victoria); 011-248-266-222; in former colonial mansion.
Shopping
Craft Village – East Coast (near international airport); set in fantastic gardens, centered around old-style colonial home; offers both Creole and European meals; village itself consists of thatched-roof units where local Seychellois crafts people create traditional products for display and sale.
Tea Factory – West Coast; 011-248-378-221.

North Island
Hotels
North Island Private – 011-248-293-100; north-island.com; 1 mile long ribbon of beach with 11 villas; Villa 11, on stilts, has 180° ocean view; spa; nature-centered resort.

Silhouette Island
Hotels
Labriz – Silhouette Village; 011-248-293-949; labriz-seychelles.com; 112-room property, 15-minute helicopter ride from Mahe; standard garden villas are pretty but not dramatically so; outdoor showers; forest treks; spa; snorkeling; July-September; Mountain View villas offer most privacy, with outdoor showers, big plunge pools, and thatched dining pavilion.

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