Checking In: Cheval Blanc Seychelles, a Beach Getaway
Pristine nature.
Unlike most hotel groups, Cheval Blanc has never been much of a city dweller. After opening its fifth address and first urban hotel—or rather maison, as Cheval Blanc prefers to call each of its properties—in Paris, the LVMH-owned French brand has headed back to the beach with the opening of Cheval Blanc Seychelles.
With Randheli in the Maldives, Saint Barthélemy, and Saint-Tropez already in the portfolio, this is arguably where Cheval Blanc feels most at home. And the brand already had one waiting for it, of sorts, when it moved into the Banyan Tree’s former beachside spot on Mahé Island, the largest island in the Seychelles. The property has Cheval Blanc-worthy views, which sweep across the Indian Ocean from 52 very private villas, 24 of which border the beach’s white sands with another 28 hidden away in the verdant hills.
To give each the chic Cheval Blanc looks to match, the brand once again called upon Jean-Michel Gathy, who already knew the barefoot-luxury brief from designing Randheli. Vast volumes are elegantly dressed in shades of white and cream and layers of natural materials to create a contemporary setting with a Seychelles sense of place. Large sliding windows and louvres not only make the most of the natural light and tropical air but also nod to traditional Creole architecture, which often prioritizes natural ventilation. One of the few pops of colour comes from the vivid blue and green abstract artwork by Madagascan artist Joël Andrianomearisoa, placed behind each bed as though reflecting the view outside, which is where you’ll find each villa’s own private infinity pool.
The signature Cheval Blanc services also travel well, and checking in comes with the polished “majordome” service, which means a butler for every villa and tailor-made experiences . In the sunnier climes of the Seychelles, guests can expect starlit beach barbecues, al fresco dining atop granite boulders overlooking the Indian Ocean, or private sunset boat rides. And like its five sisters, Cheval Blanc Seychelles feeds its guests well. The five restaurants range from Italian dining at Vivamento and modern Japanese cuisine at Mizumi to French gastronomy, bien sûr, at one of Cheval Blanc’s signature concepts, Le 1947. Another French touch is found in the Spa Cheval Blanc with exclusive treatments developed for the hotel by Guerlain. With its jungle setting and a soundtrack of gently rustling leaves and birdsong, this might be where to expect to find the most peace, but for parents, even a luxe spa can be easily outdone by Le Carrousel, a huge 2,691-square-foot kids’ play space, which is, perhaps most luxuriously, open all day, every day so you can make the most of everything else Cheval Blanc Seychelles has to offer.
