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Waldorf Astoria – Seychelles
The only way to reach Platte Island, a speck in the Indian Ocean, is by plane onto its very own airstrip. This tiny atoll, once a coconut palm grove, is surrounded by sugar white sand and reef, and nothing else but ocean. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, with hawksbill and green turtles nesting on the beaches, an extraordinary array of bird and marine life, all of which you can get incredibly close to.
On arrival, you’re whisked off by your personal concierge, who’s then on hand for your entire stay, curating experiences, and ensuring you really are in paradise. And of course, as part of the Waldorf brand, there’s a serious dose of luxury.
At A Glance
Luxury Hotel
Why We Love It:
For having an entire island to play, surrounded by exotic nature.Style:
Contemporary tropical chic.Location:
On a private island, 80 miles south of Mahé.Rooms:
50 ocean facing villas, each with a plunge pool, large terrace, garden and personal concierge.Swimming:
Resort pools, private plunge pools and the warm Indian Ocean.Children:
They’ll never want to leave…Accessibility:
There are villas and facilities for guests with limited mobility.Open From:
All year round.rooms
Shaped like hawksbill turtle shells, the villas are havens of luxury and tranquility. Large, floor to ceiling windows soak up the ocean views, and each one comes with a private plunge pool, wooden terrace and gardens, all just steps from the beach. They are bright and breezy, with furniture made from local materials, and splashes of tropical colour and decoration. The One Bedroom Hawksbill Pool Villas are spacious, relaxing and are a perfect romantic bolt hole.
For more space, and for families, the larger One Bedroom Grand Hawksbill Pool Villas sleep up to four guests. The Two Bedroom Blacktip Pool Villas, are even larger, and also sleep up to four, whilst the Three Bedroom Kingfish Pool Villas are positively palatial. And at the very top end, is the the Five Bedroom Eagle Ray Pool Villa – for complete island seclusion and luxury.
food
Even in perfect isolation, the food can be out of this world. Across the resort’s four restaurants, you’re guaranteed first class cuisine, and if you really after privacy, then the in-villa dining service has a daily menu. Sustainably caught seafood, Mediterranean style, is the order of the day at La Perle, on the terrace by the main pool, whilst Maison des Epices serves a delicious Creole-Latino fusion cuisine. Relaxed lunches and evenings are had at Torti, and for high-end, refined dining, Moulin delivers a range of gastronomic treats.
activities
You can circumnavigate the island in less than an hour on foot, or take to one of the many paths on the bikes that come with your villa. For a very small island, there’s certainly plenty to keep you busy for your whole stay – just ask your concierge. The diving is superb, and if you’re looking to learn, there’s a PADI centre, with instruction for all, from beginners to Divemaster.
There’s a catamaran that’ll take you out onto the ocean – the sunset cruises are not to be missed – kayaking and deep sea fishing. And for the active, there’s good kite surfing. The resort has an in-house team of marine biologists who’ll take you exploring and explain the biodiversity of the island. If you’re lucky enough to be there during turtle hatching season (October to April for Hawksbills and January to September for Greens), you’ll witness the spectacle of the newly hatched babies making their way to the ocean. Tucked away at one end of the island is the tranquil Spa. If island life becomes too exhausting, retire here for a pampering massage or a soothing hammam. Or maybe, just find yourself a quiet beach all to yourself…
family
A garden of Eden for families, the island resort is the perfect place to unwind and play together. There’s a kid’s club with a range of supervised activities – many of them nature-based – for when you’re after a bit of adult time, whilst the island itself is a constant wonder to its younger guests. They love the guided snorkeling (as do many parents), and time spent with the resident marine biologists teach them all about the surrounding wildlife.
sustainability
Thanks to strict local conservation regulations, the Waldorf Astoria was committed to sustainability, even before it was built. Marine biologists and environmentalists made a comprehensive study of the island and the surrounding waters before the first brick was laid. The villas are set back from the beach to protect hatching turtles; the island is 95% solar powered; much of its fresh produce comes from its own gardens and the resort partners with several organisations to protect the surrounding ecosystem.
Location
Seychelles, Indian Ocean
On a private island, 80 miles and a 25 minute flight south of Mahé.
