The Seychelles has a way of making you forget the world exists. Fifty-plus islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, turquoise waters, lush granite peaks, and beaches so perfect they almost feel unreal – it’s the kind of destination that makes you wish travel could happen in slow motion. From the UK, it’s around a ten-hour flight to Mahé, the main island, but trust us, the moment you step off the plane, all of that travel fatigue melts away (we can also hook you up with some fabulous airpot lounges to kill some time).

Most international flights arrive at Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahé. From there, many of the islands’ most exclusive resorts require a short seaplane or boat transfer, adding a touch of adventure before you even unpack. It’s all part of the magic: soaring over the archipelago’s glittering lagoons, spotting tiny coral reefs below, and feeling like you’re entering a world entirely your own.

Timing is everything in the Seychelles. The best months to visit are April, May, October, and November, when the weather is pleasantly warm, the water is calm, and the crowds are minimal. Even in peak season, the islands never feel crowded, which is part of what makes them so special.

In this guide, we’ll take you inside our favourite resorts – from private-island hideaways to chic villas tucked into verdant hillsides. We’ll highlight what makes each property feel unique, share the little touches that make a stay unforgettable, and help you picture your own Seychelles escape before you even pack a bag.

Six Senses Zil Pasyon – Félicité Island

Perched on Félicité Island, just a short boat ride from Praslin, Six Senses Zil Pasyon is a private-island retreat that balances wild beauty with effortless luxury. To get there, you’ll usually fly into Mahé, then hop on a quick domestic flight to Praslin before a scenic boat transfer. By the time you arrive, the turquoise waters, granite cliffs, and swaying palms already start to feel like your own secret world.

The villas are a study in natural elegance – timber, stone, and local craftwork combine with private infinity pools, wrap-around terraces, and sweeping Indian Ocean views. The team, one of the biggest highlights of all Six Senses resorts, anticipates exactly what you might need before you even ask, so you can fall straight into island life.

There’s no shortage of ways to fill your days. Hike across the island to discover hidden beaches and freshwater pools, snorkel among vibrant reefs, or glide across the lagoon in a kayak. Wellness is woven seamlessly into the experience (a Six Senses signature), from sunrise yoga sessions to treatments in the clifftop spa. And meals? Fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and Creole-inspired dishes can be enjoyed wherever you like – on your villa deck, at the cliffside restaurant, or on a private beach picnic.

Six Senses Zil Pasyon is for those who like their escapes luxurious but unforced, a place where you can switch off, explore at your own pace, and leave with more than just a tan – think secret coves, perfect sunsets, and a long list of moments you’ll want to relive.

Cheval Blanc Seychelles – Anse Intendance

Cheval Blanc Seychelles feels like a masterclass in effortless elegance — the sort of place where the setting does half the work. Nestled on Baie Lazare, Praslin, the resort occupies a crescent of sand framed by lush hills, swaying palms, and those impossibly sculptural granite boulders that give the Seychelles its signature character. The waters are impossibly turquoise, perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking, or simply floating with a book in hand.

Getting here is part of the fun: a domestic flight from Mahé to Praslin, followed by a scenic boat ride across the lagoon, which already gives you a taste of the islands’ layered landscapes. Once you arrive, the 52 villas and pavilions reveal the resort’s personality: some perched on the hillside, some lining the beach, all generous in size, with shaded terraces, infinity pools, and interiors that mix pale timbers, rattan, and subtle local touches.

Food is playful, colourful, and very much part of the experience. Whether you’re sipping cocktails at the Sula beach club, indulging in nonna-style pasta at Vivamento, or trying Mizumi’s elevated Asian menu with a view of the lagoon, each spot feels curated but never stiff. Evenings are perfect for a quiet drink on your terrace, listening to the waves and spotting the occasional giant tortoise meandering nearby.

Then there’s the Guerlain Spa, tucked between granite boulders and jungle, where treatments use local techniques and ingredients – it’s impossible not to leave feeling recharged. Cheval Blanc Seychelles isn’t about showy extravagance; it’s about luxury that settles over you like a gentle tide, thoughtful, playful, and impossibly beautiful.

North Island Seychelles – Private Island

If Zil Pasyon has charm and Cheval Blanc has polish, North Island has something rarer entirely: the feeling that you’ve been given the keys to Eden. This tiny, car-free island — roughly the size of Monaco – is a private sanctuary where granite peaks, jungle, and sugar-white beaches form your playground, and every day can be as active or as lazy as you like.

Most guests arrive via helicopter from Mahé, although a boat transfer via Silhouette Island is also possible. The approach alone is a hint of what’s to come: turquoise waters, unspoiled beaches, and the sense that no one else is around. Once on the island, the 11 villas are tucked into the landscape, with open-sided, interlinking spaces that flow from your whirlpool deck to airy bedrooms and open-air showers. Materials like driftwood, granite, rope, and textured textiles echo the surrounding environment, making each villa feel adventurous yet effortlessly elegant.

Life here is carefree but never dull. Ride an electric buggy or bike across the island, join the conservationist for a guided hike, snorkel pristine reefs, fish in Silhouette’s marine park, or enjoy a sunset picnic on a deserted beach. Dining is playful, inventive, and impossibly fresh: think light tom yum and lemongrass popsicles – all served across the island’s few intimate venues.

Service at North Island has its own rhythm: villa attendants guide, not hover, leaving you with a sense of true freedom. You can explore, unwind, or do nothing at all – and the island will still feel like it belongs entirely to you. On that note, if you do feel like *really* having the island to yourself, we can arrange exclusive use of all 11 villas for your group, giving you the entire island, complete privacy, and the freedom to do whatever you like.

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles – Petite Anse

Perched on the lush hillside of Petite Anse, Mahé, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is the kind of place where nature takes centre stage, and luxury follows softly behind. Unlike the curated calm of Cheval Blanc or the exclusive seclusion of North Island, this is a resort that feels alive: waves crashing below, palms swaying, and villas tucked into the hillside as if the jungle itself had designed them.

Getting here is straightforward: a short transfer from Seychelles International Airport brings you to the resort, where a funicular or garden paths lead to your villa – the views alone make every step worthwhile. Villas are generous and private, each with a plunge pool, wrap-around terraces, and interiors that combine sleek tropical design with the comfort you expect from a Four Seasons. Some even come with direct access to the beach, making it perfect for families or couples who want both privacy and a touch of adventure.

Days are yours to shape. Yoga at sunrise, a dip in the infinity pool, or snorkelling among vibrant reefs — whatever your pace, the resort provides it effortlessly. Dining is playful yet refined: Creole-inspired seafood, international flavours, and plenty of tropical fruits make every meal an event, whether at the main pavilion or delivered privately to your villa.

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is for those who want a true island escape without sacrificing comfort, a place where the landscape impresses, the service feels instinctive, and every day leaves you both relaxed and a little exhilarated. Whether you’re a family, a couple, or a group of friends, it strikes a rare balance between freedom and indulgence – the kind of resort you never quite want to leave.

From the cliff-top drama of Six Senses Zil Pasyon to the quietly confident elegance of Cheval Blanc, the barefoot luxury of North Island, and the hillside indulgence of Four Seasons, the Seychelles delivers time and time again. Each resort has its own rhythm, its own personality – and all of them come with a view that demands a pause (or three).

As usual, we’re preferred partners at many of these resorts giving you access to the best villas, smooth transfers, private experiences, and little touches you didn’t even know you wanted – all handled before you’ve even landed.

Fancy your own slice of paradise? Get in touch. We’ll sort the logistics, suggest the insider details, and help you turn a dream escape into something entirely yours.