What It is Wish to Keep on the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island

As my aircraft descended in direction of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island throughout a late November journey, it was exhausting to not really feel as if I had been getting into paradise.

The property is Hilton’s newest addition to its luxurious Waldorf Astoria assortment and is nestled on Platte Island, a small, distant islet situated about 80 miles south of Mahé, the biggest of the Seychelles. The lodge made its debut in January 2024 with 50 personal villas, customized concierge providers, and beach-inspired design. And since its location is pretty secluded, the property’s lagoon and coral reefs supply an thrilling alternative for guests to identify migratory birds and turtles.

Upon check-in, I used to be shortly launched to Angel, my concierge for my keep, who zipped me away to my villa on a golf buggy. Daily, she would verify in on Whatsapp, and he or she emphasised that she was all the time one textual content away. As a enjoyable bonus, Angel and the employees additionally notified friends when there have been tortoise sightings—nests are dotted throughout the island.

Regardless of the luxurious and pampering the resort has to supply, the true spotlight of Platte Island is the Indian Ocean itself. One morning, I joined the resort’s normal supervisor, Elias, and the on-site marine biologist for a wildlife stroll across the island. Beneath the tender gentle of the dawn, we noticed child reef sharks, eagle rays, and ghost crabs within the shallow water.

Evenings are equally enchanting on the property. Friends can get pleasure from gorgeous sundown views over the Indian Ocean, moutya dance performances by the employees, and dinner at one of many property’s three eating places. For me, my favourite was Moulin, the lodge’s cooking faculty by day, restaurant by evening idea—dishes listed below are ready nearly solely with produce grown on the island. And the property’s distant location makes it a great place to stargaze as nicely. As soon as the solar units, the sky twinkles with a seemingly infinite variety of heavenly lights.

Here is all the pieces it’s essential find out about what it was like to remain on the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island.

The Rooms

Room varieties at Platte Island vary from the one-bedroom Hawksbill Villa to the five-bedroom Eagle Ray Pool Villa, which packs a big personal terrace. All items, nevertheless, have an prolonged wood deck with swing sofas, personal infinity swimming pools, and an outside eating area. Whereas friends can entry the seashore from the pool space by passing by means of a backyard, the lodge made a deliberate option to set the villas removed from the shore to make them really feel personal and to attenuate any disruptions to marine life, particularly the tortoises, who wish to nest underneath the massive shade timber.

As one would anticipate from a Waldorf Astoria property, the villa I stayed in throughout my go to was stylish and pristine—however the true “wow” issue was its sheer dimension, which was solely enhanced by the connected outside patio and backyard. The rooms’ design appeared to attract inspiration from the island itself, and lots of the furnishings function the usage of wooden, shells, and even palm timber. For many who wish to indulge, the in-room mini bar gives a various collection of drinks, together with the Seychelles’ nationwide spirit: Takamaka rum.

Within the evenings, a heat tub embellished with lovely pink flowers awaited me. Elias (the overall supervisor) confirmed us the inventive tub artwork that room service commonly prepares as a shock for friends. Whereas the rooms had been gorgeous, it was the employees’s impeccable service that made staying right here so particular.

Meals and Drink

The resort gives top-notch eating throughout three eating places. There’s La Perle, serving “health-conscious” breakfasts and Mediterranean-inspired dinner; the laid-back Maison de Epices specializing in Creole-Latin fusion with dishes comparable to octopus salad and vibrant curries; and Moulin, a “soil-to-soul” produce-forward eatery that provides cooking lessons within the daytime.

Moulin, with its rotating tasting menus dreamed up by Chef Gavi, was maybe the standout eating vacation spot for me. Inventive dishes right here embrace the grilled monkfish served with coconut broccoli dressing, beef with candy potatoes, in addition to the beetroot rose and mirepoix crumple. If you would like to see the place your meals comes from, friends can discover the on-island backyard the place the restaurant’s components are sourced.

As for drinks, there is no scarcity of choices. Torti is the resort’s pool and seashore bar, the place diners can feast on bento bins and sushi. Peacock Terrace, a espresso and tea bar, is impressed by the eponymous unique location on the Waldorf Astoria New York. And for breathtaking sundown sea views, head to Lalin, the place you’ll be able to sip on craft cocktails and champagne.

Actions and Facilities

Energetic friends will discover lots to busy themselves with, together with alternatives to fish, kayak, paddleboard, and even scuba dive. For these involved in taking it straightforward, there are additionally stress-free catamaran rides, guided wildlife reef walks, and excursions of the tortoise sanctuary—it’s also possible to study to make Seychellois Creole in the course of the daytime cooking lessons at Maison des Epices. Different facilities embrace tennis and paddle ball courts surrounded by lush greenery, a well-equipped health club, sundown pilates and yoga, and private health coaching alternatives. Nevertheless, a easy stroll or bike experience is perhaps the easiest way to get acquainted with the island. Upon check-in, each visitor is given a motorcycle with a customized title tag, so peddling across the island is hassle-free.

The Spa

The spa wellness heart, situated subsequent to the Moutya restaurant, has 5 remedy rooms with steam showers and baths. Friends can decide from choices such because the Immune Therapeutic Restoration Therapeutic massage and an Ayur-Abhyanga remedy, which function luxurious Seychellois and Voya Irish skincare merchandise. Personalised wellness screenings are additionally obtainable, which curate customized remedy plans. Different spa options embrace a hammam-style steam room, a Himalayan pink salt sauna, pedicure and manicure providers, a hair salon, and hydro and infinity swimming pools with sea views.

Household-friendly Choices

Platte Island is family-friendly. Kids can benefit from the services on the lodge’s Youngsters Membership, which has a big outside playground that includes a big play pirate ship. Inside, the Child’s Membership has Ps video games, a climbing wall, and common arts and crafts periods like coconut shell portray. You’ll find accomplished artworks by the mini-maestros displayed across the space.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Due to a big, on-island photo voltaic farm, 95 p.c of the resort is powered by daylight. The property has adopted different environmentally pleasant initiatives comparable to energy-efficient lighting and water recycling, too. Wildlife preservation is massive on the island as nicely. The Island Conservation Society, which is devoted to defending and rehabilitating the distinctive ecosystems of the Seychelles, has an on-site base to make sure native preservation efforts are adequate and constant.

Location

The lodge is distant, however that is additionally considered one of its fundamental promoting factors. These coming need to catch a 25-minute flight from the Seychelles Worldwide Airport (SZE) on Mahé—there are two flights per day. Tickets value 700 euros (about $758 USD per individual) and 350 euros (round $380 USD) for kids underneath 12. Concerned with a extra personal expertise? Waldorf Astoria can present a non-public chartered flight for five,000 euros (about $5,418 USD).

Learn how to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is a Hilton property, so Hilton Honors members can earn double factors for every evening of their keep. In case you e book not less than seven days upfront, you may get 17 p.c off charges with the Hilton Honors Advance Buy Low cost. AARP and AAA members can get an added 10 p.c low cost as nicely. Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island can also be part of American Specific’s High-quality Inns + Resorts program—from now till Dec. 31, friends can get a complimentary fourth evening by reserving on the FHR platform.