My top 5 resorts in the Seychelles

If you’re a lover of paradise beaches lifted fresh from the pages of a holiday brochure, the 115 islands which make up Seychelles are blessed with hundreds of them. Beyond the beach, there’s no shortage of scenic hikes and the turquoise shallows are a snorkeler’s dream. So leave your stresses and worries on the plane, and prepare for the holiday of a lifetime.

Here are 5 of my top picks for the Seychelles:

1. Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas Run on a Beyond All Inclusive concept and with chefs who will personal your meals, this intimate resort is made up of just 30 villas tucked away amidst 30 acres of private forest, all designed by Bill Bensley and blending chic decor with more rustic touches and all featuring their own infinity pool. Stay here and you’ll get the royal treatment from your dedicated villa host as well as in this brand’s iconic spa with its infusion of local herbs and fruits in treatments inspired by Eastern and Western wisdom. Activities range from yoga and qi gong to local market visits and all kinds of thrilling excursions. 2. Denis Private Island In the remote northern territory, this exclusive eco-retreat is a place to truly get away from it all, with no mobile phone signal, no in-room internet and no cable television – giving you a rare chance for a digital detox and to live in the moment enjoying activities including snorkelling in a sea turtle sanctuary, sport-fishing at the edge of a continental ocean drop-off, and birdwatching. Accommodation is in just 23 rooms fashioned at the island’s own carpentry, with open-air bathrooms and garden courtyards. There’s a ‘spa in nature’ - treatments at your cottage in the open air, at the Beachfront Spa Cottage or under the casuarina trees. 3. Raffles Seychelles Tumbling down the hillside towards a white-sand beach on the north-eastern tip of Praslin, this contemporary resort with private pools has amenities including 24-hour butler service in some villas, a yoga pavilion, Seychelles’ largest pool, complimentary non-motorised water sports, and a kids’ club with the likes of nature trails, boat-making and Creole fishing. The 86 sleek villas all have their own pools; some have Indian Ocean views. Don’t miss nearby natural wonders including the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai and the islands of La Digue and Curieuse. 4. Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels and Resorts Part of Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts, this is an intimate oceanfront option in south Mahé, with direct access to Anse aux Poules Bleues – Aquarium of Wonders. You can stay in one of just 41 sea-facing villas and suites and sign up for unforgettable experiences including treks through the lush forest. The delightful spa overlooks the bay with its crystal-clear waters, while offerings at the five one-off dining venues range from poolside bites to addictively fiery Creole cuisine. 5. STORY Seychelles I love this boutique resort for its natural reef that you can reach by swimming 50m directly from the beach and for its setting on the only beach on Mahé that’s swimmable all year round. But there’s also a fantastic Balinese spa including two couples’ suites and a Vichy hydrotherapy room and hosting signature treatments fusing the best of Western and Eastern techniques. Suites and villas blend local heritage with the contemporary; some have their own pools.