Banyan Tree, Seychelles

Banyan Tree - Seychelles

It would be hard to envisage a more idyllic place to stay than the Banyan Tree Seychelles, cascading down among the rocks to one of the world's most beautiful beaches at Intendance Bay. Surrounded by dense forests of palm and aged takamaka trees, and commanding mesmerising views of the Indian Ocean, the resort blends so perfectly with its environment that it seems to have grown out of its natural surroundings. The enchanting setting, and the lavish amenities for which the Banyan Tree brand is famous, combine to provide an exceptionally intimate and luxurious romantic retreat.

The defining feature of this resort is the space and privacy, with villas hidden among the trees, and the layout arranged so that guests can easily feel they have the place to themselves. The focus is the main building, a plantation house in neo-colonial style, with high ceilings, whitewashed verandas and louvred doors, and the beautiful light reception full of floor-to-ceiling foliage. Scattered around the resort are the restaurants, the pool and a host of secluded outdoor seating areas.

As with all Banyan Tree properties, there is an element of Asian serenity and style running through the resort. This is especially evident in the award-winning spa, where paths wind between the palm trees and granite boulders towards the eight open-sided pavilions, with views over the tree canopy, all designed for complete privacy. Here guests can be pampered with a variety of therapies and treatments that draw on centuries-old Asian traditions, all within sight and sound of the ocean.

The dining options are as enticing as the rest of the hotel, with three main restaurants as well as delightful private dining possibilities. The formal restaurant is Saffron, by the main plantation house, renowned for its award-winning south-east Asian cuisine, while the lovely Au Jardin d'Épices, with stone walls, slate floors and glass frontage, provides informal all-day dining with international flavours and splendid ocean views. For those looking for local flavours, Chez Lamar is an authentic Creole restaurant, drawing on Caribbean, African and native Indian culinary influences.

The romantic alternative is the exclusive Destination Dining option, where guests can enjoy a private dining experience at a choice of locations. For instance there is beachfront dining, with a table on the beach, laid with fine china and silverware and surrounded by tikki torches and hurricane lanterns, where guests can dine in complete privacy with only the sound of the crashing of the waves - or there is the moonlight gazebo, which offers dining by moonlight in a secluded wooden pavilion. For the ultimate in romance, guests can enjoy in-villa dining, ordering from a special à la carte menu, or have a special private outdoor barbecue arranged.

View all Seychelles hotels.