It began with a mango.
As it turned out, it was a mango that hit me in the head while I was enjoying the sunshine at Beau Vallon Beach. When I woke up, I saw a Seychellois seller with a big smile giving me another, riper one with a laugh and a “Bon laswen.” Lie down.
That’s the Seychelles for you: tasty, unexpected, and very chill. The islands get under your skin in the best way, whether you wake up to the sound of geckos tapping on the roof or fall asleep to the sound of coconut palms rustling.
Our 2,000-word love letter to the Seychelles is filled with ocean breezes, Creole flavours, and some of the most memorable hotel beds we’ve ever slept in.
Mahé Island has lush green hills and clear blue bays.
AquaBlu Villa is the hotel.
From this modern house, which was high above the beach, you could see the whole bay. The pool also looked like it went right into the ocean. Each morning, the smell of flowers and sea salt would greet us. After breakfast, we’d eat fruit on the deck while sunbirds flew by.
Also loved:
The Bambous River Lodge is tucked away by a stream in Bel Ombre. There are big rooms, a yard with lots of plants, and a quiet magic.
The Beau Vallon Bungalows are only a few steps from the beach. The waves almost sing you to sleep.
It’s right on the beach at the Jamelah Beach Guest House, and breakfast includes fresh fruit and jam that you make yourself.
It was nice to stay at Chez Augustine. The rooms were cosy, and the fried fish was the best we had on the whole island.
Ocean View Villa: We loved our stay here and didn’t want to go home. It’s quiet and private, and the name is true.
Mahé Tip: Get a car rental. Buses are fun, but they can be rough. A lot of the time, the best beaches are hidden at the end of roads that wind around.
Praslin Island: Dreamy Beaches and Lazy Days
Villas des Alizes is the hotel.
It was a short walk from this house to Grande Anse. It had cool tiles, colourful walls, and a fridge full of Seybrew beer. The air smelt like frangipani, and at night we fell asleep to the sound of frogs and soft waves.
Some more beautiful choices:
Villa Bedier is close to the beach at Cote d’Or. It is clean and simple, and we loved the outdoor baths.
At Chalets Anse Possession, you can stay in cute A-frame houses with the best views of the bay.
At La Maison Hibiscus, there was a cat named Moustache who sat with us at breakfast and a boutique-style feel.
Blue Horizon Villas are modern, open, and set high enough to get great views of the ocean.
Villas Coco Beach Praslin are comfortable and right on the beach. It was wonderful to watch the sun go down from the porch.
Praslin Advice: Do not miss Anse Lazio. Get there early or stay close by. It looks even better in real life.
La Digue has beaches, bikes, and a slower pace of life.
La Perle Apartments is the hotel.
We wished we could stay here longer. The rooms were stylish, the beds were soft as clouds, and the famous Anse Source d’Argent was just a five-minute bike ride away. A beach towel was slung over our backs as we rode our bikes and ate coconut cake from stands along the road.
Also loved:
Great rooms and friendly hosts at Villa Kass. Every morning, you’ll hear roosters and waves.
Julie’s Holiday Home is simple, clean, and has a strong sense of place.
Villa Confort is a good name for it. The AC worked great, and our favourite part was the outdoor baths.
This is the place to stay if you want to feel like you’re in a nice, neighbourhood place.
La Digue Tip: You don’t have to wear shoes. A watch is the same way.
Island gems that are rarely seen
A hotel called the The Islander Hotel
Large, with an exotic yard and a beach that made us float before breakfast. There was grilled fish next door that still makes us swoon.
Demeure de Cap Macon (Mahé)
A beautiful stay in the colonial style. We were like players in a love story.
Mango Lodge (Mahé)
It’s rough and up in the hills. It’s a crazy drive up, but the view is worth it.
Villa Kordia (Mahé)
Great for children, and you can walk to a number of beaches that don’t get enough attention.
Cap Jean Marie Beach Villas (Praslin)
Couples will love how private and peaceful it is. This sand is like flour that has been sorted.
Treasure Island Retreat (Cerf Island)
It’s only a short boat ride from Mahé and feels like your own world.
Shanaz Beachside Retreat (Mahé)
During breakfast, we saw turtles raise their heads out of the water.
Petit Baie Chalets (Mahé)
Not too expensive and cosy. It felt like we were living in a painting.
Auberge Chez Plume (Anse Boileau)
The meal was great, but the stay was even better. Their curry with crab? Not real.
Seaside Self Catering (Praslin)
All the privacy of a house with all the ease of living at home.
More wonderful choices (Because yes, we did a lot of research)
The Royale Suites are beautiful, roomy rooms in a peaceful area of Mahé. This apartment is perfect for couples who want a quiet place to stay with some comfort and a beautiful view from the patio.
There is a cosy self-catering choice called Seychelles Yellow Petals that has a warm, local feel. Great for travellers on a budget who want to stay in comfort, and the hosts go above and beyond.
VILLA KiKi is stylish, bright, and has a great view. A great choice for longer stays, especially if you like having coffee in the morning on a deck with a breeze.
Roche Kerlan Apartments are simple and clean, and they are right next to Praslin’s Grand Anse beach. We loved how quiet it was and how useful it was to have a kitchen.
Yasad Residence – This is the place to stay for people who want privacy and a real sense of “home away from home.” It’s right next to the water and surrounded by tropical plants.
Peponi is a small, cute place with views of the sea and modern touches. Great for couples who want a quiet place close to the beach.
Castello Beach Hotel is a small hotel right on the beach that has nice features for families and a lovely pool area. Great service, and the chairs are a great place to watch the sunset.
Patio on the Lazio coast – This place Terrasse Sur Lazio is great just because it is close to the famous Anse Lazio. With friendly people and beautiful views from the deck, you won’t want to leave.
Jessie’s Guest House is real, cheap, and run by a family from the area. Great for travellers by themselves or partners who want to fully experience a culture.
HideAway: This quiet place is tucked away in a tropical garden near the coast. It’s great for getting away from it all and recharging.
Casa Tara Villas is both fancy and cosy, with a clean look and helpful staff. A great middle-of-the-road choice with a pool and tropical scenery.
There are rustic wooden cabins called Kokogrove Chalets in a green area. As you fall asleep, you’ll hear birds singing and palm trees moving.
Cella Villa is small and quiet, and it has a wide view of the ocean. Great for a love getaway or a quiet place to be alone.
With full kitchens, views of the sea, and a friendly vibe, East Horizon Self Catering is a great place to stay for longer periods of time. We loved how flexible it was.
The Acquario Guesthouse is one of the best deals on Mahé for a beachfront stay. The rooms are clean, the setting is great, and the breakfasts are worth getting up early for.
Residence Monte-Cristo: It’s high up on a hill with great views and a cool breeze. Great for nature fans who want a peaceful place to stay.
Lots of room and a yard full of tropical fruit trees (yes, you can pick them!) make The Orchard Holiday Home a great place for families or groups.
Villa Manoir has elegant colonial building that gives off a sweet vibe. It feels like a private farm and is great for couples or people who love design.
Advice that only someone who has been can give you: Get SIM cards from the airport. There isn’t always Wi-Fi.
You’ll never forget creole food. Do what the cook tells you to do. Especially anything with octopus or fish that has been cooked.
Seychelles costs a lot. Self-catering cottages are a great way to save money and visit local markets.
If you’re not on Mahé, you should drink water from a bottle on other islands.
Things move more slowly. Ferries, flights, and food. Please be patient.
Bug spray will help you a lot. This is especially true on walks or trails through forests.
Last Words: A Place That Stays With You
It’s not just heaven; Seychelles is your own place. A knife is being used to cut open a coconut. The sunset makes you calm down. If you wake up in a house with mango trees outside your window and nothing planned but “explore, swim, nap, repeat,” that’s what it’s like.
Every hotel, B&B, and villa we stayed in told us a story. No matter where we stayed—on the beach or in the hills—what mattered most was how we felt while we were there.
Our skin was tanned, our suitcases were full of sand, and more and more of our friends want to book trips to Seychelles.
And to be honest? They need to.
But watch out for fruits that fall.