The Banyan Tree, Seychelles is a plantation-style getaway with all the high standards synonymous with this Singaporebased hotel company. Its elevated setting above one ofMahé’s finest beaches is enhanced by its lush rainforest backdrop; private pools on offer in all its guest quarters; chilled-out days devoted to the spa, the beach and each other.

The sixty one or two-bedroom villas are beautifully designed to incorporate contemporary Seychellois décor with colonial Victorian-style architecture. Browns, creams and golds establish a restful ambience, with local artwork and ethnic weaves injecting a strong sense of place. If you like the idea of panoramic ocean views, there’s the Hillside Pool Villas with their small private swimming pools, whilst down by the beach are the spa villas with their massage pavilions, as well as the multi-level villas with separate sundecks and jet pools.

The 800 metres of beach awaits for romantic strolls, although you may prefer to make for the main infinity-edge pool than the surf-pounded bay when it comes to swimming. If you do feel like doing something a little more physical there’s tennis and fitness facilities; the soothing treatments of the Banyan Tree Spa always there for when you’ve overdone it. And whilst dining à deux in the privacy of one’s villa is always a particularly popular option after dark, sundowners in the colonial-style bar followed by dinner in one of the three restaurants is the perfect way to roundoff the day.

ACCOMMODATION: 60 ONE OR TWO-BEDROOM VILLAS, ALLWITH PRIVATE POOLS.
ACCESS: 30 MINUTES DRIVE FROM MAHÉ AIRPORT. ALSO HELICOPTER TRANSFERS AVAILABLE.
CHILDREN: ACCEPTED. RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
7 NIGHTS: FROM £4,570 P.P. IN THE HIGH-SEASON (£310 P.P.P.N.) & £3,420 P.P. IN THE LOW-SEASON
(£260 P.P.P.N.).
MEAL PLAN: BREAKFAST INCLUDED. OPTIONAL HALF-BOARD.
SPECIAL OFFERS: FREE NIGHTS, HONEYMOON.