Elite Traveler HRS 2025

DISCOVER

elite traveler HOTELS, RESORTS &SPAS2025 26

Wellness by KimAyling

With what even locals agree to be the island of Mahé’s most beautiful beach (according to my taxi driver, at least) — a picture-perfect, white-sanded, palm-tree fringed stunner of a cove — Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is, by all definitions, paradise. What then, do you do when a day-long downpour descends and renders the beach less than appealing? Head to the spa, of course. The entire resort is subtly nestled into the steeply sloped hillside, with clusters of native takamaka trees helping each of the 62 private villas (and 27 residences) hide in the dense foliage — privacy is key, after all. The Le Syel Spa sits at the very top of this hillside, above those dotted suites and villas, affording brilliant views of the La Petite Anse Bay below and the disappearing horizon beyond. (Top tip: Book an evening treatment for the best sunsets — they dazzle even on rainy days and you can head to the spa’s rooftop for a post-massage glass of champagne.) The spa’s relaxing waiting area makes the absolute most out of these commanding vistas with floor-to ceiling glass walls on three walls; arrive early for a few quiet moments to lap up those views. Unlike a conventional spa, the eight treatment suites are poised separately from the main reception, accessed via winding paths shadowed by bursts of brazenly bright hibiscus flowers. Each of the suites are enormous, easily swamping the size of my apartment back home — every one has its own changing room, a private spa bathroom with a huge bathtub open to the views and a roomy treatment room with fully retractable windows. Ask to have the windows open (if weather allows) for a dose of that ocean breeze and the soundtrack of crashing waves. No generic spa music needed here. The spa makes a real effort to connect with the Seychellois landscape and products used are a celebration of the surrounding flora — most notably

The Le Syel Spa sits at the very top of the resort

been introduced, too. It’s a mixed bag catered to every type of spa goer. Although a bookable menu is there, everything is personalizable — from the massage pressure to the oil scent. For me though, the marker of a truly special spa experience are the extra touches not listed in the treatment menu. At Le Syel Spa, that came in the form of ten soothing post-massage minutes of gentle hairbrushing that transported me back to childhood, with my sea-salt covered tresses nimbly twisted into a French braid and adorned with a crimson Hibiscus flower. fourseasons.com

the coco de mer. A rare tree and nut species native to this part of the world, the coco de mer has long been said to possess mythical, magical qualities, with its nourishing benefits put to use in many of Le Syel Spa’s services. (So special is the plant to the region, the hotel’s culinary team even whip up indulgent chocolate versions of the *ahem* interestingly shaped nut — I’ll let you Google that one.) Treatments are diverse, and call on a wide array of international influences: Traditional Thai massage techniques are heavily called on to ease out stubborn muscle knots and aches, while far more modern smartphone-enhanced sleep therapies have recently

TAKETWO// ALTERNATIVE WELLNESS

Four Seasons Seychelles is on one of Mahé's most beautiful beaches

The whole resort is nestled into the sloping hillside

1 REEF RESTORATION Doing good makes us feel good. For a dose of serotonin, book a coral workshop and snorkeling session with Wise Oceans, whose base is at the far end of the Petite Anse beach. Resident marine biologist Pip will help you restore pieces of damaged coral, before taking them out to the cultivated reef around 300 ft from the shore. As with the spa, this makes for a great rainy day activity — visibility might be a bit more limited, but there’s still plenty to see below the surface. wiseoceans.com

2 SUNRISE HIKING While sunsets from the spa (or anywhere in the resort, really) are spectacular, make a special e ff ort to wake up in the early hours of the morning for a hike to the highest point of the mountain to watch the sunrise. It’s on the strenuous side, but you’ll feel all the more deserving of a fl oating breakfast (and a glass of champagne) in your private pool afterward. Save this one for a fairer weather forecast — heavy rainfall can make the trail slippy and trickier to navigate.

Photo Ken Seet