Recommend April 2013 - (Page 38)

“The appeal of these resorts in this part of the world,” says Patrick Siebel, managing director for Seasons in Africa, the management/marketing company for Desroches Island, “is that they offer full-service facilities and amenities for all guests so they never have a need/desire to leave. Plus, it gives guests a sense of exclusivity of their own piece of paradise.” Here’s a peek at a handful of these blissful-laden private island resorts. hilton seychelles labriz resort & spa This island resort, located in the Inner Islands, about 40 minutes by boat or 15 minutes by helicopter from Mahe, is “the only resort located on Silhouette Island,” says Claus Steiner, general manager for Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa. “We are one of the most untouched islands in the region; more than 90 percent of the island is protected by the government.” The entire property is comprised of 111 villas, with ﬁve different villa categories: Garden; King Beachfront; Deluxe Hillside Pool; King Deluxe Beachfront with private pool, and King Presidential. There are seven restaurants and bars—from Italian cuisine under the stars to cocktails served poolside—a spa, a kids’ club, and a multitude of outdoor activities, from hiking rainforest trails to diving, snorkeling, and day or nighttime ﬁshing. The resort’s Seychelles Free Ferry Offer, which needs to be booked by Dec. 31, offers 15 percent off when staying ﬁve nights or longer, as well as a complimentary return boat transfer between Mahe and Silhouette, and daily buffet breakfast. Contact the resort for speciﬁc rates. Rates start at approximately $775 for the Beach Suite. For a full list of all of Seychelles’ private island resorts, visit seychelles.travel/en/plan_your_visit/island_resorts.php. getting there Emirates offers ﬂights directly into Mahe from North America, and, says Goway’s Smith, “Air France is also a good option.” ● Archived related articles (available on recommend.com/magazine/issue-archive): Africa Rising (December 2012) contact information Desroches Island: desroches-island.com Fregate Island: fregate.com Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa: (800) HILTONS; seychelleslabriz.hilton.com Seychelles Tourism Board: seychelles.travel fregate island Located a 20-minute ﬂight from Mahe in the Inner Islands, Fregate Island, part of the Virtuoso network, is simply sublime. To start with, it offers no less than seven beaches, including Anse Macquereau, which is framed by palm trees on one side and by impressive rock formations on the other and is the only beach with a “do-not-disturb” sign. The private island resort is home to only 16 villas and one Presidential Villa, each of which offers a private inﬁnity pool, and a large terrace with day bed and jacuzzi. There are two restaurants, two bars and a wine cellar, or guests can opt to create their own dining experience anywhere on the island—dinner in the Tree House, barbecues on the beach. A must-try is the RockSpa, located on a cliff-top plateau and, of course, the myriad activities, from nature walks through lush forests to kayaking. From May 15 through Sept. 30, guests staying six nights pay only for ﬁve. Contact the resort for speciﬁc rates. desroches island Part of the Amirantes Archipelago group of islands, Desroches Island is located 40 minutes by air from Mahe in the Outer Islands. It offers eight miles of unspoiled beaches and pristine forest, and is home to 20 Beach Suites, four Beach Retreats, 24 Beach Villas, one Beach Residence, two Dibwa Retreats, two Dibwa Residences and one Madam Zabre Spa Retreat, all with sea views and steps from the white sand and azure beaches. Here, guests can dine on Indian Ocean cuisine and traditional Creole delights at the Terrace, opt for beachside dining, or have a private dinner on any part of the island. “The must-do activities range from snorkeling at St. Joseph’s, sunset cruises and diving the big cave,” says Siebel, “to ﬁshing for a sailﬁsh and swimming with it once you have released it back in the water to make sure it’s okay.” 38 april 2013 37-67 AF Seychelles.indd 38 Spa delights at Denis Island. Goway Does the Seychelles Goway offers the Seychelles as part of its Islands Escapes itineraries, and when we spoke with Moira Smith, general manager, Africa and Middle East for Goway, she said it is actually great, too, to combine it with a safari in mainland Africa. “It’s a perfect combination with a safari because it’s not just about the beautiful beaches, but also about nature. It is truly an ideal extension as it is an outdoor enthusiast’s and nature lover’s dream.” While on the islands, Smith recommends exploring Mahe by “self drive, as separate from the wonderful beaches, there are some really interesting attractions— from exploring Victoria, the capital, to artists’ studios, historical sites and some really unique fauna and ﬂora. On Praslin, you have the Vallee de Mai, which is reputed to be the original Garden of Eden and where you can see the unique coco de mer in its natural habitat. There are a number of marine parks where snorkeling is incredible.” One of Smith’s favorite island resorts is Desroches, which she points out is included in Goway’s Seychelles Stays of Distinction lineup, and which caters to all demographics, including children of all ages. “Other great options are Denis Island and St. Anne.” Goway offers a Pay 5, Stay 7 deal at Desroches that’s $4,399 pp for seven nights in a beach suite, and includes ﬂights to and from Mahe, all meals, and all non-motorized land and water activities. goway.com or gowayagent.com recommend.com 3/21/13 7:00 AM http://www.seychelles.travel/en/plan_your_visit/island_resorts.php. http://www.recommend.com/magazine/issue-archive http://www.desroches-island.com http://www.fregate.com http://www.seychelles.travel http://www.goway.com http://www.gowayagent.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2013

Editor's Notes
The Islands of Tahiti
Hotel Desk: Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia
Tour Talk: Islands in the Sun
A Med Escape: Greek Isles & Cyprus
Set Sail
The Seychelles' Private Island Resorts
Portrait of Israel
Booking 2 on the Isles: Easter Island & Galapagos
Island-Hopping in Mexico: Cozumel, Isla Holbox & Isla Mujeres
The Pulse of Poipu, Hawaii
Florida's Islands: Amelia, Captiva & Sanibel
The Real Caribbean: Grenada & Martinique

Recommend April 2013