The lush, single-lane Intendance Road winds far away from rural hamlets and culminates at Banyan Tree Seychelles, an all-villa escape on the lower-west side of Mahé island.
Hectares of dense woodland press the main buildings of the quaint colonial resort against the sweeping bay of Anse Intendance, where guests convene to dine and imbibe when they aren’t seeking refuge in their private domains.
This secluded plot of land, once co-owned by George Harrison and Peter Sellers, is now home to 60 villas dotted along the cove and across the rocky hillside, all of which command stunning views of the teeming cerulean waters, just a stone’s throw away.
The Beachfront Pool Villas are a short stroll from the lounge bar, which is decorated in tribute to the late, great men, and a fleet of buggies is on hand for a leisurely ride to your door.
As you enter the high-walled villa grounds, it may take a moment for it to sink in; this is all yours. Stepping through the modest doorway is like entering the Tardis of Eden, with a spacious deck, pool, cabana and separate jacuzzi, all of which are hemmed in by the sandy beach path, the tree line and the villa itself.
Slide open the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and you’ll be welcomed by an arrangement of rose petals scattered on the inviting white cotton sheets.
Study the welcome letter before cracking open the complimentary bottle of red — it doubles as a cheat sheet of information about the resort including suggested activities, sunrise and sunset times, and weather information. But odds are, it’s sunny and you’re here for some quality time on the sand.
There’s also plenty to keep you occupied in your abode. The space is cosy, but that’s no code word for cramped. The front area of the lounge-bedroom combo is furnished with a TV and bookshelf, and a large desk, but the whole room is dominated by the centrepiece: your plush double bed.
At the rear, you’ll find his-and-her basins, replete with every conceivable toiletry, and an oversized steam and shower room next door. It would usually feel perturbing to have a whole clear glass shower wall looking out into the garden, but in this case you are shrouded in complete privacy.
When you do need some attention, you can beckon an attentive staff member to arrange in-room dining or any other service you desire.
The entire space is classy and elegant, with white fabrics, floral patterns and hard woods underfoot. And though the TV set stands out as a retro throwback, it serves as a helpful reminder to escape outside from time to time.
As one would expect from a high-end resort on picturesque Indian Ocean island, Banyan Tree Seychelles is a true beachside sanctuary, bursting with natural beauty and home to one of Mahé’s most spectacular beaches.
The only thing likely to prise you away from the golden sand is your stomach. If you’re not yet eager to rub shoulders with your neighbours, the resort’s extensive in-villa dining menu is available around the clock and the concierge can even arrange an outdoor barbecue within your own personal haven.
And no island retreat could be complete without some hands-on attention. Banyan Tree’s award-winning spa is an escape within an escape, offering a vast range of treatments from its lofty hillside viewpoint. Arrive by buggy but return to your private villa as if you’re floating, having been pampered in paradise.
THE IMPORTANT BIT
What: Beachfront Pool Villa
Where: Banyan Tree Seychelles, Anse Intendance, Mahé, Republic of Seychelles
Tel: +248 4 383 500
