January and February are really the worst months to live in Europe. As the coldest week of the year approaches, I find myself daydreaming of one of the best holidays I had last year: Seychelles!
In fact, it was our second trip to Seychelles and this time we knew better. Word on the main island of Mahé is that the most beautiful beach is at Petite Anse bay at the Four Seasons Resort. So we couldn’t wait to see it!
And it’s true: the Four Seasons Resort on Mahé in Seychelles really is a breathtaking beauty that has no equal. It’s the perfect destination for everyone who is looking to get away from it all without resignation of luxury. An experience I won’t forget easily.
After a 40 minute drive from the airport, you arrive at the resort, located in the South-West of the main island Mahé. At arrival in the lobby area, you are immediately blown away by the spectacular view over the most beautiful and exclusive bay on the island: Petite Anse.
THE RESORT
A picturesque white sandy beach, luxurious tree-top villas perfectly integrated into a natural jungle setting and world-class service. Once you’ve experienced the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles you’ll quickly reevaluate what you think you knew about paradise.
The main area and main pool of the resort are right at the beach. The bay Petite Anse is famous for being the most beautiful on the island and I couldn’t agree more. It’s the perfect combination of crystal clear turquoise waters, white sand, tropical jungle and a dramatic backdrop of black granite rock. A view I could stare off to for days. Weeks! No wait – years! At this point, I’m not sure why I left at all…
ACTIVITIES
Down at the beach, you’ll find restaurants, an infinity pool, comfortable sunbeds with neat white towels and a marine educational center by a non-profit organization WiseOceans. There’s snorkeling and scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding and surfing with Tropic Surf, that even take you on day trips around the island to find the best waves. The resort also offers yoga classes overlooking the bay from the highest point of the resort, the Hilltop SPA in addition to weekly classes down at the beach.
I promise, even when the weather doesn’t play along every day, there’s so much to do and experience – you can stay busy here for a full week without leaving the resort. Talking to the passionate marine biologists at WiseOceans and hear about the coral reef restoration project in the bay was very inspiring. Another fun thing here, the buggy rides through the resort, that feels more like a rollercoaster!
THE VILLAS
From the beach, you’ll have to “buggy up” the hill to your hilltop-ocean-view-villa. There are 67 treehouse villas and suites, some nestled close to the beach and others perched high up on the lush hillside. Each villa has their own private infinity pool, so for those of you who for some reason are not into a dip in the ocean – where you’ll be absolutely fine – enjoying that pretty view from above from the huge terrace of your villa.
THE INTERIOR
A wonderful material palette including wood and stone is used in the indoor and outdoor spaces. The interior features local Creole style with colorful art by a famous local artist, who also has a studio close by that you can visit.
The villas also offer enough indoor space to relax and after a day of too much sun, I was quite happy to relax in the shade of our terrace, take a cool shower overlooking the bay, watch the sunset and snuggle up in bed in the evening.
OK now, let’s talk about that bed for a moment. I write this in danger of sounding way too nerdy but: I have never ever slept in a bed this comfortable. As an interior designer, sure I am aware that there are certain things that make hotel beds super cozy. But the Four Seasons bed is another league. It’s not only the mattress, it’s everything from the pillows (there’s four) and the quality of the sheets to the way they make up the bed (with a 9-inch fold for your feet to move freely under the sheets) it just feels like you’re sinking into the softest cloud in heaven. And if this really is heaven, it’s a place that I wish to return to very soon again!
Address: Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, Petite Anse, Baie Lazare Seychelles
www.fourseasons.com/seychelles
All pictures: Four Seasons Resort Seychelles