Exploring the Most Exciting New Luxury Resort in the Seychelles

Our Perspective

As you gaze out the window of the turboprop plane during your transfer from Mahé, Platte Island emerges as a small, palm-fringed dot encircled by pristine white beaches and crystal-clear waters. This private island is home to the newly opened Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, which welcomed its first guests at the end of January 2024. The resort features 50 villas nestled amidst lush tropical gardens, complemented by an expansive pool, a seashell-adorned lobby lounge, and warm waves gently caressing the shoreline, making it an idyllic spot for a romantic escape.

Who is it for?

With its gentle swaying palms, inviting gardens filled with loungers, and unspoiled beaches, this resort is a perfect destination for honeymooners. Couples can enjoy ample privacy within their villas and gardens, with candlelit dinners and couples' spa treatments adding to the romance. Families are also warmly welcomed, as the villas can accommodate up to five bedrooms, and the extensive kids' club and teen corner ensure fun for children of all ages.

Location Overview

The Waldorf Astoria occupies the entire Platte Island (known as Île Platte in French, meaning 'flat island', a name given by the French explorers who discovered it in 1769), once a coconut plantation in the southern Seychelles. Surrounded by shallow waters, every beach offers views of frothy waves crashing against the distant barrier reef. The chartered turboprop flight from Mahé, where the Seychelles' main airport is situated, takes roughly 20 minutes, landing on the resort’s private runway that traverses the island.

The Accommodations

The resort features 50 accommodations, ranging from cozy one-bedroom villas to an expansive five-bedroom estate perfect for large families. Each unit boasts a similar design, featuring zig-zag roofs inspired by turtle shells and a fan-shaped outdoor deck surrounding a private swimming pool.

Interiors evoke a beach house aesthetic, showcasing hand-woven basketry, sun-bleached timber, and beds adorned with light drapes tied with sisal rope, complemented by seashell decor. The airy bathrooms, crafted from terrazzo and mother-of-pearl, offer spacious freestanding bathtubs and outdoor showers. Living areas are accentuated with pillows featuring bamboo and palm motifs, enhancing the tropical vibe.

While the shimmering Indian Ocean can be glimpsed through the swaying palm trees in the gardens, it's important to note that none of the villas provide direct beach views or access—this is a deliberate choice by the resort to protect the nesting hawksbill turtles along the island's shores.

Culinary Offerings

Guests can indulge in three restaurants, two bars, and a café. For breakfast and lunch, the Mediterranean restaurant Le Perle offers delightful dishes like burrata salads, stone-baked pizzas, and antipasti—be sure to try the potato gnocchi with butternut sauce. At the bright Maison des Epices, Seychellois chef Colvin Beaudoin serves up bold Latin-infused Creole fusion dishes grilled to perfection. Standouts include adobo-crusted skewers of kudu, springbok, and ostrich, along with a rich Creole curry featuring breadfruit and moringa leaves, perfectly complemented by rum- and mezcal-based cocktails. Moulin, situated in a glasshouse amid the island's extensive vegetable garden, focuses on plant-based cuisine. Its ever-evolving seven-course tasting menu, paired with biodynamic South African wines, might include innovative dishes like dehydrated cabbage with kimchi-celeriac puree and salads dressed with homemade kombucha.

Lalin, the gauzy rooftop bar with a view of the pool, buzzes with energy during champagne-fueled sunset gatherings, while Torti serves up cocktails crafted from over two dozen varieties of gin. For a refreshing break, Peacock Terrace—an homage to the original Waldorf Astoria New York’s famous Peacock Alley—offers custom loose-leaf teas from Dubai’s Avantcha and espresso made from Sumatran and Tanzanian beans roasted in Mahé.

Team and Hospitality

The dedicated team of around 140 staff members hails from various corners of the globe and resides on the island. Many individuals I encountered during my stay described the work atmosphere as one of a large, joyful family, and the heartfelt hospitality I experienced—from the dining areas to the pool—was a true reflection of this spirit. Each villa is paired with a personal concierge to assist with restaurant bookings and activities. My concierge, the cheerful Donia from Tunisia, offered me aloe vera after noticing my sunburn from a boat excursion and even gifted me a painting of turtles and palm trees for my son, who couldn't join me on this trip.

Mobility Considerations

While the villas are designed with ample space to accommodate wheelchair navigation, sandy paths and numerous steps may present some mobility challenges.

Observing Wildlife

Platte Island has experienced very little human interference over the centuries, allowing its native wildlife to thrive both on land and in the waters surrounding it. The island is home to large populations of terns and noddy birds, as well as a lone gray heron affectionately named Henry by the resort staff. Additionally, Platte serves as a key nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles, with a recent count revealing 277 nests, each marked by a numbered coconut on a stick along the jungle's edge.

Nearly eight percent of the Seychelles’ seagrass flourishes in the shallow waters encircling the island. Protected by a barrier reef, this seagrass sanctuary provides a safe environment for turtle hatchlings and various marine species. Snorkeling excursions aboard Waldorf Astoria’s catamaran almost guarantee sightings of hawksbill turtles, parrot fish, and peacock groupers. Furthermore, guided early-morning beach walks with resident marine biologist Athina Antoine often reveal juvenile blacktip sharks, eagle rays, and stingrays gliding through the clear waters near the shore.

If you time your visit just right, you might even catch a glimpse of humpback whales as they migrate through the area from September to mid-December during boat trips.