"Why book? Thai-based hotel brand Anantara brings excellence to the Seychelles through a rebrand of a 30-villa, Bill Bensley–designed hideaway on a private peninsula fringed by white-sand beaches and towering granite boulders. Set the scene Along the southwest coast of the Seychelles main island of Mahé, the hillside resort occupies 30 acres, situated on a dreamy, petite peninsula separating Anse Louis and Anse Boileau. A key theme here is ultra-privacy, which is evidenced by design and operation. Sprinkled among the forest-cloaked hillside and beachfront gardens are 30 thatched villas, measuring 2,691 square feet each complete with slick, transitional indoor-outdoor spaces, including a lengthy infinity pool, and fabulous views of the Seychelles’ iconic ocean blues. A dedicated Villa Host is assigned exclusively to each villa and serves as concierge, server, room attendant, personal assistant and more. A “Beyond All Inclusive” policy means all food and beverage (alcoholic and non) are included and can be enjoyed in-villa in addition to the main restaurant, Tec Tec. Given this set up of wanting for nothing in a private villa, it’s no surprise that many guests choose to stay put. They’ll journey out for a bit of spa or beach time, but luxuriate mostly “at home.” When you do spot other guests, you’ll see that you are sharing the resort equally with jet-setting couples seeking romance and well-heeled families looking to spend time together. The backstory Anantara, best known for its hotels and resorts throughout Asia, made its Seychelles debut with Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas. It’s the brand’s seventh property in the Indian Ocean, joining two resorts in Sri Lanka, one in Mauritius and three in the Maldives. Instead of a new build, Anantara took over, rebranded, and refreshed one of the Seychelles’ most exclusive properties, Maia Luxury Resort & Spa, which opened in September 2006 to a groundswell of rave reviews. The property was designed by Bill Bensley and Lek Bunnag, two of the world’s top luxury resort and hotel architects, who brought a coastal Asian-influenced aesthetic to the prehistoric beaches of Africa (The Seychelles’ boulder-strewn Inner islands represent the last remaining landscapes of 75-million-year-old supercontinent Gondwana.) In late 2020, Anantara acquired the resort, added an Anantara Spa, did a soft refresh of the property, and introduced the much-loved “Beyond All Inclusive” policy. The rooms All 30 thatched-roof villas are identical in terms of size and layout, measuring an impressive 2,691 square feet each. Entrance is through a tall wooden door and stone pathway, leading to a wealth of picture-perfect indoor and outdoor spaces. Outside, first find a covered, open-air dining and living area, mini-kitchen and bar, where a fridge remains fully stocked with your favorite wines. An infinity pool provides an idyllic spot for soaking in the scene and appreciating the Seychelles’ splendor. The infinity pool segues to a second, ornamental pool with a deep, soaking bathtub at its core, flanked by chaise loungers, partially submerged in the water. Indoors, the bedroom exudes understated elegance, marked by carved natural stone, and intricate woodwork, and connects to a colossal bathroom, where the maxi-sized Hermès Bath Collection amenities are yours for the keeping. Where the villas differ are the views: some are situated hilltop, lending to more sweeping ocean vistas, while those closer to sea level peninsula see a bit less water and more foliage but offer a comparative advantage of direct beach access. Villa rates start at $2,879 per night. Food and drink The resort has a single open-air restaurant, Tec Tec, but its menus are many. Options span dozens of (digital) pages and multiple cuisines from Creole to Mediterranean to Indian (It’s also possible to request off-menu items.) The variety is so great it would be hard to try everything over a week, even if overindulging (and trust us, once you try the food, you’ll want to gorge!). All menu items are available in-villa and there are no set times for ordering or limits thanks to the “Beyond All Inclusive” concept. Those staying in a Premier Villa for more than 3 nights are also privy to unlimited Dining by Design, meaning that meal experiences can be set up on the beach, in the garden—basically anywhere you’d like on property—for no extra charge. The spa At the Anantara Spa, find a fully-equipped TechnoGym fitness center plus three, open-air, thatched-roof treatment pavilions, dressed in colorful daybeds and wooden accents. Therapists hail from Thailand and Bali and deliver the best in therapies from their native countries alongside spa mainstays and more. One treatment to try is The Maia Signature Massage, which is a long-stroke and stretch-heavy treatment developed specifically for the resort. Another standout of this spa is a kids’ wellness menu, which includes treatments like the Happy Feet foot scrub and massage, and allows the family that travels together to spa together.The neighborhood/area Given its location on a private peninsula and its allure of ultra-privacy, the resort feels like its own private community. Those heading off property, can walk to Anse Boileau, a small fishing village a few minutes away, with a local market and a Catholic church. A quick taxi or rental car can get you one of the island’s myriad hiking trails, renowned sites like Jardins Du Roi spice garden and museum, and the capital of Victoria. The resort can also arrange day trips to neighboring islands. The service The service at Anantara Maia is tops, thanks mainly to the role of the designated Villa Host. Of course there are dozens more working behind the scenes to make your stay a memorable one, but this host is your first point of contact, available 24/7 by What’s App. The Villa Host is for your villa–and yours only–and is based on-property to anticipate any and all needs. As someone who has tested out butler and hosting services at the world’s foremost resorts, Maia truly ranks among the best. Our Villa Host, Dolores, was a sheer delight and made the difference between an excellent and a thoroughly amazing stay. For families It’s true that the setting feels utterly romantic, but there are plenty of families who also appreciate Maia. Those traveling with teens tend to choose neighboring Premier Beach Pool Villas, which interconnect through the garden. Those with tykes and tots can opt for a single Premier Beach Villa, which accommodates two adults and two children up to the age of 17. While there’s no Kid’s Club per se, the resort offers a Very Important Kids Program, tailor made to include water sports, cooking, painting and more, all supervised by the recreation team. Professional babysitters, with whom the resort regularly works with, are also on call and available by the hour. Eco effort In partnership with NGO Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS), Anantara Maia conducts quarterly beach clean ups and has developed a long-term sea turtle monitoring program on Anse Louis beach, a nesting beach for Hawksbill and Green turtles. Anything left to mention? The in-villa luxuries and Maia’s idyllic setting make it hard to leave the premises, but the island of Mahe—and the Seychelles overall—are epic destinations. Complement a leisurely stay at Maia with a few nights at a mid-range hotel, during which you can engage in active pursuits, island hop, and fully experience the Seychelles’ unparalleled natural beauty." - Paul Rubio
