Words by Arzoo Dina
Your first glimpse of the newly-minted and super luxurious Waldorf Astoria, located on Seychelle’s Platte Island, is while you’re descending in your chartered aircraft onto a private landing strip that cuts right through the middle of the tiny island.
As you’re greeted by views of swaying palms and cerulean waters hugging a strip of white sandy beach, surrounded by nothing but miles of ocean, you know you’ve arrived in paradise.
Once uninhabited and a nesting spot for dwindling populations of the hawksbill and green turtles, Platte Island or Île Platte, whose coastline spans just 3.3km, solely houses this newly-opened resort, a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean.
Hotel
Getting to the resort involves a quick 25-minute flight from Mahé Island (the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago) after which you’re whisked away by your private concierge who will ensure every aspect of your stay is seamless, from curating your favourite meal to suggesting activities of your liking.
My fatigue instantly melted away as I breathed in the salty sea breeze and enjoy a chilled glass of homemade iced tea, while Yogi from the concierge team guided me around the property before ensuring I was well ensconced in my plush villa.
The design-forward resort seamlessly blends indoor-outdoor living with its wide, open spaces, seashell curtains that are artfully hung, and a statement-making beach bar with sunken seating in the pool, perfect for drinks overlooking the ocean.
As a brand, Waldorf Astoria’s ethos is all about sustainable luxury. At the property, this extends to zero-wastage across its food and beverage offering, which includes making their own island fermented yoghurt, serving biodynamic wines and sustainably-sourced fish, to growing their own produce and maintaining a healthy ecosystem of the large coral reef and lagoon that surrounds the island.
Room
With just 50 seafront villas making up the accommodation, Platte Island is all about seclusion. Cocoon yourselves in luxury in your stylish dwellings, where each villa is sumptuously decorated with thoughtful design touches, such as African-inspired tribal accents to patterned upholstery, that evoke island living.
I stayed in the Hawksbill Villa, a generously-sized one-bedroom residence that promises all the creature comforts one can possibly need, from a spacious living room to an outdoor patio, a freestanding bathtub to soak up the tropical views, and a large garden with sun beds. Elegant wooden partitions ensure you have enough privacy between the living spaces, that are done up in soothing tones.
Each villa has its own beachfront access, however, I’m told they have consciously been built far away from the shore so as to not disturb the nesting patterns of turtles. The accommodation ranges from one-bedroom villas up to a five-bedroom villa that’s perfect for larger families or multi-generational travellers.
Guests are given their own bicycles to explore the property and these are thoughtfully personalised with your names engraved on little wooden keepsakes. When you’re not lounging in your extremely comfortable bed or exploring the property, take a dip in your private plunge pool or while away an afternoon reading a book, accompanied by sounds of the ocean and sea birds, as you lull yourself into a dreamy siesta.
Food and drink
The property has six dining and drinking outlets, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dining. La Perle is a Mediterranean-inspired brasserie overlooking the main pool, where you can also enjoy a leisurely a-la-carte breakfast. If it’s a romantic meal you’re after, head to Maison Des Epices, the resort’s signature restaurant serving a fusion of Creole-Latin fare. Some must-haves on the menu include grilled lobster plo, palm of heart salad and sea-baked reef fish in limpet sauce.
Lalin, which translates as moon in Creole, is a swish Champagne bar aesthetically perched at a vantage point where you can enjoy pre-dinner cocktails surrounded by billowing curtains and a starlit ceiling. One of my most enjoyable experiences was at Moulin, a gorgeous glasshouse-style restaurant serving set plant-based menus built on the concept of garden-to-table dining.
Spa and wellness
The spa and fitness centre, inspired by the shape of the native coco de mer or sea coconut, is a tranquil oasis tucked away on one end of the island. A compact menu offers pampering massages and indulgent beauty treatments, and the spa also houses a hammam, infinity pool, hydro pool, a steam and sauna room with Himalayan pink salt walls. They offer special wellness consultations as well.
To do
Given that this is an all-inclusive resort, you won’t be short of activities to indulge in on a daily basis. Our suggestion? Set sail on the resort’s catamaran as you toast to fiery sunsets with glasses of bubbly, enjoy a game of tennis, go fly fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving or sign up for turtle patrol with resident marine biologist, Athina Antoine, who will walk you through the biodiversity of the coral reef, and its local residents like sharks, rays and turtles. If you happen to visit during turtle hatching season, you might just be lucky enough to watch the little hatchlings make their way to the ocean.
In a nutshell
Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is the perfect escape for couples looking for a dose of romance in the sun-drenched East African nation, or even families hoping for a wholesome getaway with the kids. Its secluded location only makes it more appealing for those looking to enjoy their downtime in the midst of nature.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from £1,600 per night.
Address: Platte Island, Seychelles
Phone: +248 4397300
Email: SEZPI.RES@waldorfastoria.com
Website: hilton.com
Photography courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island.
