Tropical tranquillity meets contemporary hospitality in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
Dense jungle-clad mountains, a shimmer of fog, and precarious mountain roads lead guests on a 35-minute journey from Victoria, one of the world’s smallest capital cities, to the beautifully boutique Mango House Seychelles.
Hidden away on the southern coast of Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles Archipelago, the boutique property falls under Hilton’s luxurious LXR brand, offering an idyllic retreat that perfectly marries natural splendour with understated elegance. The tagline “It’s your house” encapsulates the feel of this tropical retreat, which offers a wow-worthy entrance that sees you pass through a living area and out onto a veranda where the waters of an infinity swimming pool blend with widescreen views of the Indian Ocean.
Mango House Seychelles was originally built for the lover of Milanese photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri who never actually got to see it. The former family home has since been converted into 41 exquisite rooms and suites, maintaining the features of the original house and adding villas, several restaurants and three swimming pools. However, the story of romance continues; an old wooden door hangs in the lobby, and it is believed that if you knock three times, a marriage proposal will occur within a year.
Island abodes
Perched on a clifftop, ensconced in tropical gardens and surrounded by stunning Indian Ocean views, Mango House Seychelles offers a different approach to luxury island living. Divided into rooms, suites and even houses depending on the size of your party, accommodations are beautifully appointed, blends contemporary elegance and traditional Creole architecture. Our Queen Room with Garden View is the definition of island chic. Decked out in natural woods and woven textiles, a thick rug resembling ocean waves draws the eyes, yet it’s the four-poster bed that offers true comfort. Laden with a deep duvet and plush pillows, it’s the perfect spot to curl up and take in the waterfront vistas. Bathrooms offer a separate shower, double vanities and local amenities. Plus, kimonos, robes and slippers.
The room leads out to a small sun terrace and one of three communal swimming pools with views over the bay of Anse A La Mouche, complete with swaying palm trees and picture-perfect granite boulders so often associated with postcards of the Seychelles.
Destination dining
With five onsite restaurants and bars, you’ll be spoilt for choice with Creole cuisine, Japanese food, Italian eats and plenty of rum-based tipples. The bountiful à la carte breakfast at Muse offers coconut French toast, masala scrambled eggs and a curated coffee selection. Served on the terrace overlooking the bay of Anse aux Poules Bleues, it guarantees an inspiring start to the day.
At Moutya, you can snack on breadfruit chips, dine on a menu of Creole cuisine or participate in a cooking class. Tuck into BBQ grills or savour Seychellois curries with chicken, octopus and red snapper. The shoreline location on a deck above the waves is ideal for a memorable meal under the stars.
Elsewhere, Azido serves superb sushi, Muse transitions into an Italian eatery following breakfast service, and Kokoye bar is the place to sample the local rum in a spectacular spice route-inspired setting with low-slung seating and palm-printed wallpaper. Finally, Soley features light bites and cocktails beside the almond-shaped swimming pool and is very popular at lunchtime.
Island exploration
Mango House Seychelles is a self-contained sanctuary, and it’s easy to spend a few days enveloped in its Creole charm. An infinity-style pool on the hotel veranda showcases a small yet exclusive space for dips and sips, while the hotel’s larger main pool, flanked by loungers and day beds, serves as the launch point for non-motorised watersports. Inside the main house, you can visit the Anpe Spa (meaning ‘at peace’ in Creole), where soothing treatments are administered using local ingredients like banana and coconut. While it can’t compete with some of the island’s more prominent resorts, there’s also a small stretch of beach.
The nearby Michael Adam’s studio is a short walk away, displaying colourful artworks inspired by the Seychelles. The artist’s daughter designed the tropical prints found across the Mango House kimonos.
For adventures further afield to the beaches, botanical gardens, Takamaka Distillery, and the tourist hub of Beau Vallon, car hire is easy, or there is a well-connected bus network that traverses the tricky island terrain. A stop at Victoria is a must if only to see the historical clocktower, which was inaugurated in 1903 and bears a striking resemblance to London’s Big Ben.
If you need a bigger beach, there is a complimentary shuttle bus to Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort, a Hilton sister property with a family-friendly approach and a long stretch of sandy shoreline.
The verdict
Mango House Seychelles is an intimate retreat ideal for those looking for exclusivity and isolation. Popular with Middle Eastern travellers, the property is anchored around superb service and a stunning setting. It may be boutique with its small room count and even smaller beach, but what it lacks in shoreline square footage, it makes up for with a dramatic clifftop setting and luxe abodes.
With an eco-friendly approach and an upmarket yet accessible, family-friendly vibe, this relatively new addition to the Indian Ocean’s collection of luxury resorts offers an experience where scenic seclusion meets refined hospitality.
GO: Visit www.hilton.com for reservations and more information.
