In several Asian and Pacific cultures, the banyan tree represents a “resting place”. Aptly named, the Banyan Tree Resorts present luxury 5-star hotels in Bali, Maldives, Phuket, China, Mexico, and the Seychelles. If you’re in need of a soul filling retreat, check into the Banyan Tree!
 
We stayed at the Banyan Tree in the Seychelles, and below are some of our experiences and images from our retreat. We enjoyed the lush landscape, spa treatments, our private villa, and culinary delights!
 
The Seychelles’ Banyan Tree Resort is located on the southwestern coast of Mahe in a picturesque setting,  surrounded by majestic granite mountains that encompass a pristine beach with a hillside of palms. The Resort’s General Manager, Frank Wesselhoefft, graciously welcomes guests to the resort, “Lie back and relax or take a walk along the pristine Intendance Bay.  Enjoy the stunning sunset or go where the wind takes you.  At Banyan Tree, there is a tropical haven blessed with flora and fauna, perfect for a tranquil getaway.” The staff greets guests with warm hospitality throughout this Banyan Tree property.
 
This resort is known to be one of the first resort hotels in the Seychelles, the Banyan Tree has 60 Creole-style villas where guests can enjoy views from their verandah, or walk along the beach of Intendance Bay.
 
The Hillside Pool Villa was a favorite! A spacious room and bath, open-air pavilion, plunge pool and veranda with sun loungers embraced with total privacy. Snuggled into the granite rock mountain, each villa is surrounded by rainforest with vast ocean views. Anyone staying here will feel like they are the only one on the island.
 
 
The award winning Banyan Tree Spa offers treatments based on Asian healing traditions dating back centuries.
 
Skilled therapists greet you with grace, and are attentive to each guests’ needs. After your treatment, you can recline in a comfortable chair with a cup of tea, and listen to the ocean breeze flow through the palms on the jungle hillside surrounding your private open-air pavilion. Good to note that the Banyan Tree Spa therapists undergo formal training at Banyan Tree Spa Academies in Bintan in Indonesia, Phuket in Thailand or Lijiang in China.
  
 
Our favorite restaurant, Saffron, presents award-winning Thai cuisine. Chefs prepare authentic Southeast Asian dishes and shared some of the traditional recipes and cooking methods with me. Excellent food, service and dining on the balcony of the restaurant with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, made for an exotic evening.
 
Be sure to stroll the grounds, and visit the organic garden where the restaurants find the freshest produce for culinary delights!
 
 
How to Get Around Mahe?
Masons: Mason’s provided us with transportation services and offered us guided island tours. Their company has been offering visitors with unique holiday experiences for 35 years, and provides excellent 24/7 service tailored to share the best of the Seychelles. If you need assistance planning your trip, Mason’s can help with flights, transfers, activities, hotels, car rentals, etc.
How to Get to the Seychelles?
Air Seychelles – We had a fantastic experience flying Air Seychelles and received Creole welcomes and excellent service. ‘Fly the Creole Spirit’ with Air Seychelles, the national airlines of the Republic of Seychelles since 1978. Air Seychelles flies to Mauritius, Johannesburg, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, and will be introducing new routes soon. They now are a Four Star airline rated by Skytrax.
 
After a short 5 hour flight on Air Seychelles from Johannesburg to Mahé, we found paradise in the Indian Ocean, the ultimate tropical escape, just off the east coast of Africa.
 
By Patricia Stone, travel writer and consultant
Acknowledgments: we would like to thank Air Seychelles, Banyan Tree, and Mason’s Travel for hosting us throughout our trip.
All opinions are our own.
Basic Questions:Â
Where are the Seychelles? Â The Republic of Seychelles is situated at 4 degrees south of the equator in the Indian Ocean and is made up of 115 granite and coral islands.
Where is the International Airport? Located on Mahé is the largest island, and the capitol is Victoria.
What is the Time Zone? +4 hours GMT
What is the Currency? Seychelles Rupee (SCR)
What is the Temperature? Located near the equator, the Seychelles enjoys a year round tropical climate with day and night temperatures between 26C/79F & 32C/90F.
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