The Credentials:
Just five degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles offer year-round sunshine, picture-perfect beaches, lush jungle and world-class hotels. One of the Seychelles’ most exclusive resorts is just a 40-minute flight from the capital island of Mahe. Just four miles long, the tiny island of Desroches is blanketed in cinnamon and coconut trees and boasts 15km of white sandy beaches. This year it became home to the Seychelles’ most expensive villa; a snip at £10,000 per night.
Dine:
Forget your Jimmy’s, there are no Choos on this beach; it is barefoot glamour all the way and dining by moonlight to the sound of the waves and the feel of sand between your feet is perfect after a long day in the sun. At the moment the island has just one restaurant serving fresh international fare but later this year its Creole restaurant will also open. My favourite dish was the seared nicoise salad… That was until we went fishing. I boarded the boat with a beautiful golden tan and left it an unappealing shade of minty green – but despite the sea sickness we returned with not one fish, but two! Yes, the Chelsea girls did good and after an hour at sea we reeled in a yellow fin tuna and a wahoo fish, which upon our request the hotel chef magically transformed in to an array of sashimi and carpaccio that would cause you to re-mortgage at Nobu.
Sleep:
Our spacious four-bedroom villa featured an impressively large private pool which overlooked a secluded garden and our own deserted beach. Our villa came with two bicycles to explore the island and its jungle and a couple of kayaks to seek out its secluded bays and coves. Our open-plan villa was flooded with natural light and oozed Creole chic with local timber floors and furniture. The design made it easy to make the most of the surroundings with various al fresco chill out areas, balconies and sun beds to choose from. We both loved the outdoor showers and roll-top baths which were piled high with L’Occitane goodies and our enormous net-draped beds left us feeling like royalty.
Who Goes There?
Originally inhabited by 17th century pirates, today the 115 islands that make up the Seychelles are a magnet for the rich and famous. The business class section of our Etihad flight was busy with glamorous women travelling in six-inch Louboutins and giant sunglasses, sipping Champagne before take-off. With only one hotel on the island, Desroches is favored for its peace and privacy; you can forget paparazzi hungry posers, you are more likely to bump in to royalty on this beach. In 2007 it was here that Prince William whisked Kate Middleton away for a make or break holiday and we all know how that turned out! The candlelit beachfront restaurant, Champagne cruises and blissful spa are a magnet for Hollywood heroes and honeymooners, but its sympathetic design means you could spend a week here without bumping in to another soul – we didn’t!
Out & About:
I am not going to lie, it was pretty difficult tearing ourselves away from our villa, but there is more to Desroches than five-star sunbathing. There is a whole Indian village where men work tirelessly creating all of the beautiful wooden furniture for the villas, plus a traditional Creole village which is home to fishermen and conservationists that look after the island’s population of Giant Seychellois Tortoises. On the southern tip of the island you will find the Castaway centre, where toned, tanned surfer dudes await with a bevy of aquatic activities. During our stay we tried a spot of snorkeling and as a grey rain storm battered the surface above we delved beneath the warm waters, skimming the coral reefs and spotting colourful snappers, clownfish and even a sting ray. For those who prefer to stay above the water, try the hotel’s hydro bikes, perfect for working off those cocktails. For nature lovers, Creole resident Tony offers early morning conservation walks to take in the local flora and fauna and for those that want to get up close and personal with the wildlife try a bike ride through the jungle which is crammed with creepy crawlies, crabs and the odd tortoise. Ask reception and they will deliver a handmade picnic lunch and chilled bottle of wine to your chosen picnic spot and leave you in peace to enjoy it.
The Best Thing:
My trip was fit for a queen from start to finish. We kicked off in style with champagne and a massage in the swanky Etihad lounge before boarding in business class and enjoying a dinner of seared tuna and steak and then jumping into bed with a nightcap. On arrival our private plane was waiting to shoot us off Desroches, where after a 40-minute flight taking in the breathtaking views of Mahe from on high, we were greeted by a line of waving staff, a chilled coconut juice and a villa to die for. By the end of our stay we had dined under the stars, caught our own dinner, watched the sunset on a Champagne cruise and snorkeled with sting rays.
The Worst Thing:
It is pretty hard to manage to pick a hole in the impeccable service, idyllic setting and natural beauty… So I won’t. My only complaint is that the private plane didn’t forget to pick us up!
