"Settle into your stilted room at the Four Seasons Resort on Mahé, and you’ll be forgiven for not noticing the white, shrouded bed, the paintings by local artist Alyssa Adams, or the glamorous, sunken marble bathtub. The resort’s 67 treehouse-style villas are carved into the hillside and, with floor-to-ceiling windows, it means that the first thing you are drawn to is the soaring view over the arc of Petite Anse Bay. At dusk, huge fruit bats scoop past your windows, while, by day, cheeky scarlet Madagascan Fody birds perch by your outdoor pool. From the lush, tropical landscaping (brightly-hued hibiscus, wild vanilla, and frangipani line all the walkways) to the ocean conservation activities, such as coral planting, led by Wise Oceans, a stay here gives an immersive take into Seychellois island life. The menu at Kannel offers local and fusion specialities such as octopus curry, cassava chips, and Mauritian Bol Renverse (sautéed beef, rice, and fried egg). Koi offers a Japanese Omakase menu, while at Zez, you can start the day with an extensive breakfast buffet—think fresh fruit, acai bowls, and Creole omelettes. At night, the restaurant offers Asian delicacies, such as red snapper tempura, sushi platters, and tiger prawn teppanyaki. A highlight is the Le Syel Spa, perched at the resort’s highest peak. You’ll find healing treatments that harness local, natural ingredients—such as moringa, cinnamon, and lemon—as well as tantalizing views across the Indian Ocean. It’s simply heavenly. —Angelina Villa-Clarke"
