Four Seasons Resort Seychelles Opens!
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Four Seasons Resort Seychelles Opens!
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Category: Africa Indian Ocean - Seychelles - Industry economy
- Hotel opening
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2009-02-10
A REMOTE, HILLSIDE RETREAT
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is a remote, hillside retreat that embraces the natural simplicity of treetop living. It occupies an isolated position overlooking the idyllic bay of Petite Anse, just 17 km (30 minutes drive) from Mahé international airport.
The Resort covers a secluded area of 170 acres on the southwest coast of Mahé. It comprises 67 villas and suites and 28 Four Seasons Private Residences that descend down a lushly forested incline to the private, horseshoe beach of Petite Anse. Creole-inspired design complements the dramatic topography, with granite boulders, steep jungle slopes and a shoreline indented with pirate coves.
Each of the 67 tree-house villas and suites is perched on stilts amidst a jungle of coconut, mango, jackfruit and cinnamon trees. Standard features in all villas include infinity-edge plunge pool, open-air shower, glass-walled bathroom and expansive, private outdoor living space with sunset views over the Indian Ocean or surrounding landscape. At the base of the Resort, black granite boulders, powder-white sand and lush tropical foliage combine with the azure blues of the sea and sky to create a vivid image of beachside perfection.
High above the bay, the hilltop spa epitomises the sense of tranquility and seclusion found throughout the Resort. Other facilities include two restaurants and two lounge bars; an outdoor swimming pool that combines four pools in one; a water sports pavilion offering snorkelling, swimming, sailing, windsurfing, fishing and boat tours; a comprehensive fitness centre; library; art gallery and Kids for All Seasons Programme featuring ‘play and ‘spray’ pool and play area.
The Resort is an ideal setting for weddings and events, offering numerous formal and informal venues including a 202 sq m (2,174 sq ft) multi-purpose function room (catering for receptions of up to 85 guests) and a tiny venue within the ruins of a traditional Creole house, accommodating no more than four guests at a time.
ACCOMMODATION & DESIGN
The Resort complements the architecture and nature of Mahé and is typically Creole in design. The high thatched roofs and teak wood floors of the main buildings reflect the colonial influences found across the island, while the 67 villas and suites are constructed of natural timber and brick, blending into the background of tropical vegetation and wind-sculptured granite. All accommodations feature expansive outdoor spaces that sit high amongst the surrounding coconut, mango, jackfruit and cinnamon trees imparting a distinct sense of treetop living.
Hilltop Ocean-View, Ocean-View and Garden-View Villas
There are 62 single-storey Hilltop Ocean-View, Ocean-View and Garden-View Villas. Each villa occupies a secluded position, accessed via its own wooden path and overlooks the Indian Ocean or the verdant surrounds. The villas feature a stilted pavilion, built high amongst the tropical canopy. Indoor and outdoor living space extends to 186 sq m (2,002 sq ft) and includes a large infinity plunge pool and outdoor shower. The surrounding hardwood deck is furnished with chaise longues and a dining area. A smaller, second pavilion houses a daybed, perfect for an al fresco massage or a fan-cooled afternoon siesta.
The bedroom and bathroom lead directly off the deck and exude a simple yet elegant Creole style, featuring tropical rosewood, silk prints and accents of Andaman blue. Standard audiovisual equipment includes a 27” flat screen TV, CD/DVD player, Hi-Fi and iPod docking station.
Two-Bedroom Ocean-View Suite and Two-Bedroom Hilltop Ocean-View Suites
The three two-bedroom suites each offer additional space for families, spread across three pavilions located steps from the shoreline. Outdoor living space extends to 300 sq m (3,229 sq ft) and includes a private 78 sq m (840 sq ft) pool and expansive uncovered sundeck furnished with chaises longues for four guests. The two-storey living accommodation includes a lounge, dining area for six and pantry with separate service entrance. The two ensuite bedrooms are each housed in their own pavilion; each bathroom features an adjacent private outdoor shower. The design of the suites reflects the island’s unique cultural mix through a range of contemporary and traditional aesthetics. The suites also offer guests the option of 24-hour butler service.
Presidential and Royal Suites
The two-bedroom Presidential and three-bedroom Royal Suites are beachside palaces, featuring 680 sq m (7,319 sq ft) and 827 sq m (8,902 sq ft) of indoor and outdoor living and dining space across three and four pavilions respectively. With all the benefits of the Ocean-View and Hilltop Ocean-View Suites, the Presidential Suite offers 416 square metres (4,478 square feet) of outdoor living space, with the addition of a whirlpool and a private 73 sq m (786 sq ft) pool. The Royal Suite boasts 458 sq m (4,930 sq ft) of outdoor living space and a 106 sq m (1,140 sq ft) pool.
DINING
ZEZ – Main Restaurant (Seats 116)
The Resort’s main restaurant, ZEZ (Creole for a zither, a traditional string instrument), offers a breakfast buffet of Continental and Asian dishes, with a full American breakfast and speciality dishes available à la carte.
Dinner takes on a Mediterranean air, featuring Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Turkish and Lebanese dishes. The restaurant focuses on simple cuisine and deep flavours and offers a wide variety of fresh fish, seafood, extra virgin olive oils, tapas, antipasti, mezzes and speciality Arabic breads. An extensive wine list features 250 wine labels from the Old and New World. Set menus are available for larger groups with special children’s menus and services also available.
A choice of indoor, covered and open-air seating is arranged beneath high thatched roofs, offering spectacular ocean and sunset views from halfway up the hillside.
Kannel – Southeast Asian Restaurant (Seats 126)
Kannel (Creole for ‘cinnamon’) brings authentic southeast Asian flavours to Petite Anse from a sheltered spot amongst the cinnamon trees adjacent to the pool. Featuring favourite seafood and other traditional dishes from India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan and the Seychelles, Kannel also serves nutritionally balanced spa cuisine as well as snacks, salads and pizzas from the restaurant’s wood-fired oven.
Lunch is casual – noodles, green mango salad, Nasi Goreng, Tom Kha Ghai, chicken and beef satay – with the dinner menu changing to include sushi and sashimi, tempuras and signature dishes from Four Seasons sister properties in Bali, Singapore, Bangkok and Langkawi.
The wine list consists of around 60 labels and features an excellent selection from France and Italy as well as New World wines from South Africa, Australia, Chile and Argentina.
ZEZ Bar (Seats 70, with 10 at the bar)
ZEZ Bar is the Resort’s main bar – a stylish hillside venue and a favourite spot for signature tapas and mezzes, pre-dinner cocktails and after-dinner drinks. Situated between the library and the main restaurant, the bar is furnished with comfy sofas and chairs and enhanced by wide-reaching ocean views. In addition to a humidor, ZEZ Bar also offers shishas – traditional Middle Eastern water pipes smoked socially as a form of relaxation.
Kannel Bar (Seats 20, with 12 at the bar)
Located adjacent to the pool and just steps from the beach, Kannel Bar has a relaxed indoor-outdoor setting and offers light snacks and refreshing fruit drinks and cocktails throughout the day and evening.
In-room dining
All villas feature an outdoor dining area, enabling guests to sample signature dishes from the Resort’s restaurants 24 hours a day. Special attention is paid to the creation of an appropriate ambience for those wishing to enjoy a sense of their own private, fine-dining restaurant.
Champagne breakfasts, candlelit dinners, picnic baskets and flight boxes are amongst the additional catering options available on request.
SPA
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles epitomises the sense of natural beauty, tranquility and seclusion found throughout the Resort. It is located at the top of the hill with spectacular views over the Petite Anse bay and the Indian Ocean beyond. International treatments are enhanced by indigenous practices, local ingredients and breathtaking views; the result is a rejuvenating and holistic experience that showcases the island’s most inspiring features.
Five spa pavilions accommodate a total of five double and three single treatment rooms, each with beautiful Indian Ocean views. Each double room is equipped with changing facilities, steam room, two indoor massage beds, outdoor bathtub, rain shower and toilet. The single rooms include a changing area and toilet. The main spa pavilion houses the reception, consultancy / waiting area, retail shop, juice bar, and relaxation lounge. The Hair Salon and separate treatment rooms for facials, manicures and waxing are located on the Spa’s lower level.
The Spa features treatments that are traditionally Seychellois and use fusion techniques from India alongside other Asian traditions. Many of the treatments incorporate island herbs and spices such as cinnamon, frangipani and lemongrass, combined in accordance with ancient recipes. Massages, body scrubs and wraps, facials, hydrotherapy baths and foot and hand treatments are offered in harmony with island traditions. In addition, spa rituals incorporate herbal tonics and organic teas from the island and – in the case of specialty packages – personalised spa cuisine.
A timber deck connects the Spa to a yoga pavilion, available from sunrise to sunset for private instruction or individual yoga sessions. Yoga mats, straps, blocks, towels and water are all provided. The Spa’s yoga and meditation activities are all designed to balance energy centres and bring about harmony and peace, while educational workshops and retreat programmes emphasise local herbal traditions and cultural nuances.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
There are lots of activites to choose from - private beach excursions, water sports activities, jogging and water trails to off-site activities like tennis, trekking, hiking, bird watching, mountain biking and paragliding.
MEETINGS & FUNCTIONS
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles offers a range of inspiring meeting and function venues just 17 km (30 minutes drive) from the international airport.
WEDDINGS
A paradise location for weddings, from a simple blessing on the private, powder-white beach to a civil ceremony amidst the cinnamon trees and frangipani.
PROFILES
Markus Iseli, General Manager
Swiss-born Markus Iseli is a graduate of the Hotel School in Lucerne, Switzerland, with over 25 years experience in the hospitality industry.
Stephane Hestin, Executive Chef
Hestin’s Four Seasons career began at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon in January 2003. He has worked also worked at Four Seasons Hotel Geneva prior to joining the Seychelles team.
10 COOL THINGS
10 Cool Things about Four Seasons Resort Seychelles!
From the brilliant blue beaches to explore, bird and tortoise watching, water sports to learning about Seychelle's pirate past.
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