Best hotels in Seychelles

At the very edge of the Seychelles (although only an hour's flight from Mahe), Alphonse Island is one of the most pristine, paradisiacal destinations in the world. Ringed by piercing white sands, the interiors are covered in lush forest and remnant coconut groves, where giant Aldabra tortoises roam. Scattered along the shoreline, Blue Safari has a collection of thatched bungalows and villas that truly offer that barefoot feel. Simply walk out your front door and find yourself on the beach - and then the only decision to make is whether to snorkel in the crystal-clear water, kayak around the coast, or hop in a boat to explore even tinier, untouched islands.

This luxurious resort in the sought after northern corner of Mahe, is set within 120 hectares of lush private jungle. Situated on a promontory, the hotel is flanked to the south and north by picture-postcard beaches, where you can snorkel within the National Marine Park of Port Launay. Despite having over 180 guest rooms and over 40 different private villas, amenities at the hotel have been carefully spread out so you never feel you’re in a busy hotel. A bonus for parents is the complimentary kids club for children age 4-11 years. The U Spa is immense with over 10 treatment rooms - head in this direction for ultimate relaxation.

'Zil Pasyon' translates as 'Island of Passion' in Creole and it's a fitting name for this breathtaking private island retreat on Félicité, one of the Seychelles' most dramatic granitic islands. Once a coconut plantation, the island spent nine years being lovingly regenerated before the resort opened in 2016 – and it shows. Occupying just a third of Félicité's 652 acres, the 30 pool villas are tucked among lush tropical forest and towering granite boulders, with three powder-white beaches and Indian Ocean views that'll stop you in your tracks. A 20-minute helicopter ride from Mahé sets the tone for what follows: a seriously impressive spa carved into the rocks, Creole-inspired dining, and the kind of barefoot luxury that Six Senses does so well.

Idyllic and utterly dreamy come to mind when arriving at the Mango House for the first time. Located in the deep south of the Seychelles' capital island, Mahé, the Mango House gazes out across miles of liquid blue stretching towards the horizon. Born out of the creative mind of esteemed photographer, Gian Paolo Barbieri, the house is all about aesthetics with its light and art-filled rooms, and walls of glass so you never miss a moment of that view. They didn't hold back when it comes to dining options either and there are five stellar spots to choose from.

Enter into a pampered paradise at the Four Seasons Seychelles resort. Occupying one of the best locations on the island of Mahé, almost every one of the uber-luxurious Creole-type villas has a stunning view of the blue waters of Petite Anse and the surrounding granite cliffs, encircled by lush tropical jungle bordering the horseshoe bay. Here you will find Indian Ocean hospitality at its best, in a dynamic landscape of rock, forest and beach that will entice your senses and dish up a holistic holiday experience. Beautifully curated villas and suites emulate island opulence with a high end Indian Ocean/ African feel.

The fourth-largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, La Digue's beach appeal is the stuff of travel adverts, from its swathes of clean, palm-fringed sands to the outlying coral reefs. And this blissful place is the home of the unashamedly luxurious Le Domaine de l’Orangeraie. Lying just a few minutes' walk from the island's best beaches, the hotel is fronted by that jade-coloured ocean and embraced by lush gardens and hills planted with orange groves. If you've ever swooned over an ad for a super-stylish tropical barefoot beach holiday, book now. We know you'll love it!

At one end of Beau Vallon Beach (one of the most swimmable beaches on Mahé Island), the Story checks all the boxes for a pretty perfect Seychelles holiday. The super-stylish suites and villas are sprinkled across the lush grounds, just metres away from the powder-white sand. The resort also happens to be just 10 minutes away from the island's capital, but you'll hardly feel the need to venture out thanks to its superb collection of dining choices. If you can bear to leave your poolside perch, there is a beautiful reef to snorkel just 50 metres offshore, while an endless list of watersports are also on offer.

The Kempinski Seychelles is a luxurious tropical retreat in a stunning and secluded setting located in the exclusive south-west of Mahe Island in Seychelles. The resort is spread across large tropical gardens. The lagoon-like white sand beach is protected by a reef and is bordered on all sides by granite hills and lush, verdant tropical foliage. There are 150 rooms and suites with a choice of hill-view, or sea-view. The picturesque surroundings will make you want to relax and enjoy them but there are loads of activities to keep you occupied too, if you so wish.

Meet nature at its finest, where vivid turquoise sea meets clear blue sky, white sand and rich green vegetation. Within this tropical setting is Seychelles' glamorous Constance Lémuria Resort, a getaway that's worth every cent. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the food at its various eateries is five-star and the suites and villas are fit for royalty. The lodge is set around a golf course, with buggies available to transport you wherever you wish to go. Don't miss the three beaches though, all of which are typical of the islands, with soft white sand, huge granite rocks and palms.

White sandy beaches, turquoise water, balmy weather and unrivalled land-and-underwater excursions are some of the reasons visitors flock to the Seychelles. The luxurious Eden Bleu Hotel is situated on Eden Island, a residential marina development connected to mainland Mahé by bridge. Eden Bleu offers easy access to spectacular beaches, a marine reserve, boating excursions and neighbouring islands. A few days at Eden Bleu -with its modern finishes, rim pool and views of super yachts - will leave you feeling like royalty. This is a holiday that combines exquisite natural beauty with pampering fit for a queen.

Hotel L’Archipel and its fragrant hillside gardens lie in north-eastern section of Praslin, the second-largest island in the Seychelles. Beneath the lodge is Anse Gouvernement, a secluded beach reserved for the hotel's guests only. Think of all the tropical words you can, and you'll be describing this location, with its wide white sands, rustling palms, loungers for sun-soaking, and turquoise sea that is perfect for swimming, snorkelling and, for an edge-of-your-seat Ernest Hemingway adventure, deep-sea fishing. Meander back to the hotel and your cool room through mature gardens filled with palms, hibiscus, fragrant frangipani and bougainvillea. Heavenly!

Le Duc De Praslin is a lush retreat with koi ponds, award-winning gardens, luxurious residences and gourmet cuisine. Situated adjacent to Cote d’Or beach, a palm-fringed paradise with immaculate white-sands, guest can return from their daily excursions to the nearby highlights such as Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve and enjoy a tranquil yet refined experience at this Seychelloin hotel.

Surrounded by hibiscus, lemongrass and cinnamon with the Indian ocean right on your doorstep, Maia Resort is a haven of serene solitude in the most romantic of Seychelles settings. Set amongst hills of wiggling palm trees and dramatic rock formations, the villa-style rooms have sweeping, 180-degree views over Anse Louis beach and the sparkling ocean below. The spa is quite something too - three, corn-yellow, thatched pavilions offering Omorovicza treatments, early morning yoga, and qi gong sessions. It might be a cliche, but this truly is a place to switch off, relax, and forget all your troubles (in some serious style too).

Cerf Island, the largest hotel on a small mile-long strip of white beaches and abundant towering tropical Tamaka trees, is home to only a few hotels and 100 local residents. Being only a short boat ride from the main town of Mahe it is the perfect kind of place to escape. Surrounded by the azure waters of the Indian ocean the reefs of the Sainte Anne Marine National Park are teeming with different fish species-perfect for snorkelling. No roads, no pathways and no chance of being crowded into mass resort-style spaces with your only task being to relax unencumbered.