Top Luxury Island Holidays – Seychelles

The Seychelles archipelago is truly one of the world’s most beautiful places.  Just south of the equator, the weather is perfect year round with only slight variations in humidity and heat based on the positions of the tradewinds.  Quite a large part of Seychelles is beautiful and completely unspoilt; you can even hire your own private piece of an island for the duration of your trip, ensuring guaranteed privacy and romance for the two weeks of your holiday.

As with Mauritius, a large part of the Seychelles’s appeal is in its tourism infrastructure and stunning environment, both of which appear virtually designed to give you the luxury holiday of your dreams. The wildlife and scenery in the Seychelles is unbeatable.  Many of the islands are sanctuaries for rare birds, turtles, and even coral among the host of other exotic plants and animals.

The islands themselves provide spectacular sights, with clusters of granite rock surrounded by pure white sand beaches with coconut trees waving gently in the wind.  The endangered coco de mer trees grow exclusive on the Seychelles; these palm trees are a sight you’ll never see anywhere else.  If you have any interest in botany at all, you’ll make sure to take a photo of these trees.

Accommodation on Seychelles is amazingly luxurious.  As previously mentioned, some islands have so few villas that you’ll never see another person unless you want to.  You could be one of only four guests on the island, though your every need will be attended to by staff.  The idyllic North Island is a haven for the ideal eco-tourist; it has only 11 villas in the midst of a fantastically beautiful nature reserve.  The goal for the island is to re-introduce many of the Seychelles’s native now endangered species to the island, providing a luscious backdrop to your holiday and a good reason to spend money on it.

You’ll truly relax on North Island with five members of staff per guest and your own dedicated butler. Everything you could imagine wanting will be available in your villa, from indoor and outdoor showers to a private plunge pool to direct beach access.  You’ll even be able to have spa treatments within your villa, though there is a separate more extensive spa overlooking the ocean.  Scuba diving and fishing are included in the price, as are all meals.  Best of all, meals aren’t determined by a menu, but by the preferences you express on chatting with the chef on arrival.  The island also boasts a sunset bar on its western beach.

If you’d prefer a slightly less expensive option, mainland hotels and resorts offer similar luxuries.  The Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort and Spa is an excellent option, with a stunning hillside setting and view, history full of well-known writers, and spa with a yoga pavilion and specialist Ayurvedic treatments.  The resort offers three restaurant choices with three different views.  The Hilltop Restaurant is open air with a gorgeous panoramic view of the ocean and the mountains, while Les Cocotiers is more appropriate for dining under the stars.  If you’re just looking for a drink, the Ocean View sunset bar is perfectly designed for a relaxing evening.

The resort pays homage to its past with a tribute to James Bond author Ian Fleming, who was inspired to write For Your Eyes Only while staying at the resort.  They have dedicated a Deluxe Oceanfront Villa to his memory.  The Ian Fleming Suite is the epitome of hi-tech, James Bond style, with a king-size circular bed, spinning chair and complete library of James Bond DVDs and novels.

Wherever you choose to stay, your time in the Seychelles is guaranteed to be the perfect island luxury holiday.  Exploring the inland jungle, snorkelling, scuba diving, and boating are just a few of the many ways you can fill your time on this island paradise.