Most Romantic Hotels in the Seychelles

The MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa is ideal for couples seeking an intimate and relaxing getaway. The 30 stand-alone villas are secluded and have expansive terraces with plunge pools; each room is assigned a personal butler. The all-inclusive rates, paired with the hotel's anything, anywhere motto, means guests have the option of dining in their villas, on the beach, or at the hotel's elegant open-air Tec-Tec restaurant with ocean views. The 30-acre property is set on a secluded hillside overlooking the ocean, plus it has lush, manicured grounds with numerous stunning vistas, further adding to the private nature of the resort. Though many guests choose to stay put in their villas, the hotel offers a main pool that overlooks the ocean, has an adjacent bar for ordering tropical drinks, and provides private nooks for lounging on orange-cushioned loungers. Strolls along the gorgeous white-sand Anse Louis beach, morning yoga classes, and exploring the calm turquoise waters via snorkeling are other popular pursuits. Speaking to its true five-pearl status, the resort doesn't have a typical lobby, but instead a private helipad -- a preferred way for many guests to arrive and depart.

This secluded and luxurious getaway spot offers organic elegance and through-the-roof romance. Guests here stay in individual air-conditioned villas -- each one with a private infinity plunge pool, whirlpool, open-air shower, and patio -- surrounded by lush cinnamon, jackfruit, and mango trees. Rooms feature comfortable canopy beds, soaring ceilings, 42-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, minibars, and luxury toiletries. The private beach with staff delivering refreshments is the ultimate way to spend a day doing nothing, but guests also have a spa with a massive treatment menu, a golf driving range, a fitness center with personal trainers, and a dive shop at their disposal, as well as hiking, sailing, yoga, surfing, and Creole cooking classes. There are restaurants serving Creole, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisine, as well as a classic cocktail bar serving fine wines, quality cigars, and sushi and sashimi.

This luxurious resort, which opened in 2011, was the first Raffles resort in the Indian Ocean; Raffles is a well-known luxury brand, and its flagship property in Singapore opened in 1887. Along Raffles Seychelles' beach is a romantic proposal spot called Karo Maryaz that has Long known to Seychelles natives. It has become popular among guests as well, and it is no surprise that the romantic resort draws many honeymooners, wedding parties, and couples celebrating an anniversary. Unlike some competitors, though, it does accommodate families as well; romantics should note that this is one of only a handful of luxury resorts in the Seychelles to offer a kids' club.

The 60-room Banyan Tree Seychelles is located on the southwest coast of Mahe, built into a steep hillside overlooking Intendance Bay, with direct access to a gorgeous white-sand beach. The spot is secluded -- surrounded by sea cliffs, palm trees, and nature -- with nothing but the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks to disturb guests’ sleep. The lazy plantation vibe is rich and elegant, but laid-back, with ceiling fans circulating high above and stunning views from every vantage point. The villas and common spaces feature Seychellois handicrafts, artwork, textiles, and sculptures. Villas at the Banyan Tree Seychelles come in one- or two-bedroom configurations, and each has a private pool, hot tub, and outdoor shower behind a high stone wall for ultimate seclusion. Buildings and villas are connected by picturesque wooden walkways lined with palm trees. Kids are welcome, but there are no special children’s facilities, and the clientele is primarily couples -- including plenty of honeymooners.

Travelers seeking a luxurious, remote island getaway will find it at the Desroches Island resort, a five-pearl property set on a private island reached via a 40-minute flight from Mahe island. Gorgeous palm groves, tropical vegetation, and white-sand beaches surround, while a slew of on-site features includes a full-service spa, restaurant, bar, pool, and a large kids’ club. Spacious suites and villas feature beach-chic decor and an array of amenities that include bikes and kayaks; villas have private infinity pools and full Miele kitchens. Guests can book varied activities (though many are pricey) including scuba diving and game fishing. Desroches Island will re-open as a Four Seasons in late 2017.

The 40-room Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa is a quiet, secluded couples retreat with lots of lounging space, much of it with spectacular Indian Ocean views. The beach feels like a hidden desert island cove, and the rest of the property resembles a tropical garden paradise, with lots of hammocks and elegant wicker armchairs, cushioned sofas, and lounge chairs facing the ocean. The open-air restaurants and lobby have peaked wooden ceilings in the classic Seychellois style. The Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa is made up of large, clean private villas, all with sea views, private decks, wood interiors, and four-poster canopy beds. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with premium channels, espresso makers, minibars, and sumptuous bathrooms with freestanding whirlpool tubs and separate open showers. Children under age 12 are not permitted.

Constance Lemuria opened in 1999 as the island's first luxury resort, and while still high-end, some of the decor is in need of a refresh. While Lemuria's three pristine, white-sand beaches offer idyllic settings, one of the property's main attractions is its ocean-view pool; it consists of three levels with cascading waterfalls, as well as cushioned loungers beneath canvas umbrellas and a swim-up bar on the top tier. The 105 suites and villas offer expansive interior and exterior living spaces, some with private pools and butler service. Multiple dining options include a beachfront eatery and fine-dining restaurant, plus there are multiple bars. Guests can play a round at the on-site golf course with stunning vistas, as well as partake in a multitude of water sports or spend time at the spa.

This intimate boutique hotel offers a tranquil, tropical getaway in a gorgeous beachside location. Lush greenery and beautiful gardens surround the property, with plenty of spots for relaxing across the lovely grounds, be it in a hammock shaded by palm trees or a comfy sunbed overlooking the white-sand beach. Most of the public spaces feature open-air architecture that capitalizes on lovely views of greenery and pretty water gardens. The hotel's 10 spacious, air-conditioned suites feature elegant, contemporary decor that includes African, Indian, and British colonial influences, as well as taking inspiration from nature. All rooms have 42-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, minibars, Nespresso machines, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have both walk-in rainfall showers and soaking tubs, and are stocked with L'Occitane toiletries, bathrobes, slippers, and evening kimonos. Overall, the hotel offers a tranquil beachside getaway, and with only 10 guest rooms, the atmosphere is intimate and serene. Though it's a luxury property, it's a subtle form of luxury, so those expecting opulence might be disappointed.

Situated on the gorgeous Silhouette Island, this luxury 111-room Hilton resort attracts tourists seeking a remote tropical getaway. Rainforests, palm groves, and white-sand beaches surround, and guests can also explore the protected flora and fauna of the national park, which covers 93 percent of the land here via guided hikes and nature walks. Spacious private villas feature sleek, modern decor, luxurious bathrooms with both rainfall showers and soaking tubs, and large furnished terraces; some have private pools in gardens. Five restaurants and a bar offer a range of cuisines, and features include a large outdoor pool, a luxe spa, and activities such as scuba diving, fishing, and yoga.

The 63-room Le Domaine de L'Orangeraie Resort & Spa is a romantic, upscale, all-villa beach resort with a private white-sand beach and lush tropical gardens. Villas are clean, and spacious, with stunning natural decor, huge balconies, and outdoor showers. The resort also includes a popular Creole restaurant, a full-service spa, and a spectacular lagoon-style pool with poolside bar. Some travelers may take issue with the lack of elevators, steep inclines between buildings, or the fact that service animals are not allowed. Couples should note that families are welcome here, but there are no separate kids' activities or amenities.

The 36-room Le Duc de Praslin is an upscale resort surrounded by beautiful gardens on Praslin Island. Though not directly on the beach, it’s just a short walk away and there are two lovely, chlorine-free outdoor pools on-site as well. Other amenities include a restaurant and a trendy lounge, a small spa, and a shop selling clothes and souvenirs. Rooms are spacious and feature pleasant, contemporary decor as well as large terraces, while three- and four-bedroom villas have living rooms and kitchens.

The four-room Petit Amour Villa is an intimate boutique hotel set on a hillside, with panoramic Indian Ocean views and a touch of old Hollywood glamour. The upper-middle-range property feels like a luxurious private home, with terraces everywhere, and plenty of personal attention. Rooms are huge and beautifully designed, with clever decorative touches, private balconies, and deluxe modern bathrooms. Children aged 12 and under are not permitted. The steep hills and lack of an elevator could be an issue for some.

The four-pearl Le Meridien Fisherman's Cove has an ideal beachfront location along a two-mile stretch of white sand. The hotel lacks many child-friendly facilities, but it does have two open-air restaurants with views of the water and a long infinity-edge pool that overlooks the ocean. The 68 rooms are airy, with large bathrooms that have walk-in showers and separate tubs, but otherwise furnishings are underwhelming; some units do have lovely private balconies with ocean views. A pleasant spa and numerous ocean vistas make this a solid option, but the property is showing its age and not as modern as nearby hotels.

The 30-room DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles Allamanda Resort & Spa is a lovely beachfront hotel that feels like a romantic island paradise. There is nothing chain-like about this tropical retreat, which is ideal for couples. There's a full-service spa and glamorous infinity pool with sea views, while the on-site restaurant serves free breakfast and Creole-inspired fare for lunch and dinner. Each room has a comfy king-size bed, a luxe bathroom (some with copper soaking tubs), and a furnished balcony with ocean views; some of these have whirlpool tubs.

The 61-room La Digue Island Lodge is a three-pearl property located on the lovely white-sand Anse Reunion Beach. Lodging options vary from genteel, plantation-style hotel rooms to thatched-roof chalets set among the gardens. One of the island’s first hotels, the Lodge maintains a strong sense of island history and local Creole culture, while offering modern conveniences, top-notch spa services, a PADI dive center, and a swim-up pool bar, among other luxuries. Wi-Fi, while free, is only available at the reception area.