Maia Luxury Resort & Spa

Mahé, capital of the Seychelles

There are places in the world that are the stuff that dreams are made of.  The Seychelles archipelago is one of these; a renowned, select luxury tourist destination assuring guests of a relaxed and romantic vacation.

In 1609, British navigator, John Jordan noted in his travel log: “We are in an earthly paradise, wooded, rich in water, coconuts, fish, flowers and birds.” The archipelago, an independent republic and member of the British Commonwealth since 1976, consists of 115 islands and islets grouped around the main island of Mahé, the economic and touristic center of the country.

The preserved beauty of its islands possesses an exceptional variety of landscapes. Deserted coves, immaculate beaches, lush vegetation and crystalline waters are all part of the sumptuous scenery which inspired a British general to call it “An earthly Paradise before the Fall.”

The Seychelles has often been a source of inspiration and imagination. In search of peace and exoticism, Ian Fleming isolated himself in the archipelago to write his last James Bond novel, “For Your Eyes Only.”

Timeless

Standing alone in the midst of lush vegetation on the heights of the southwest coast of Mahé Island, the thirty discreetly structured villas turn toward the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean. Opened in September, 2006, this luxury complex was built far from everything since the directors of the Maia Luxury Resort & Spa opted for intuitive and discreet service in order to assure the privacy and intimacy of its guests.

By fulfilling every possible need or demand of its clients, luxury here is embodied in the quality of service, the hotel’s overriding policy. At the Maia, it isn’t necessary to make any demands since the butler assigned to the villa is always a step ahead, and the hotel proudly claims a service capable of anticipating the guest’s every desire. This luxury is only equalled by the incredible views from the villas.

The villas’ construction and décor, the work of renowned architect and landscapist Bill Bensley, were created with the same discretion and intimacy as the services offered. The sober, pure, brightly lit interiors combine discreet elegance and state of the art technology.

The lotus flower, the hotel’s emblem, symbolizes spiritual fulfilment; a rebirth embodying this experience of total retreat from the world and the awakening of the senses. At the Tec Tec, the island’s only restaurant, Chef Bansani Nawisamphan’s menu contains light gourmet cuisine, an ideal complement to the wide range of treatments offered at the hotel’s La Prairie Spa.

A must at the spa is the 20 finger massage, which as its name indicates, is carried out by two masseurs creating an incomparable sense of relaxation.