Six Senses Zil Pasyon

Six Senses Zil Payson sits on the private island of Félicité, a striking slice of desert island paradise where green jungle and granite rocks stretch down to the golden sand fringing the ocean.

Accommodation at the resort takes the form of beautiful palm-thatched wooden villas, each with a private infinity pool overlooking the sea. The Hideaway Villas are shrouded in tropical vegetation for ultimate privacy, while the Panorama Villas are set in the island’s highlands. The Oceanfront Villas, meanwhile, offer the finest views over the beach and ocean.

Most of the villas are inspired by traditional south-east Asian design, and come with wood-panelled walls and ceilings. The exceptions are the three and four-bedroom residences, which have a more modern granite and glass design. Whichever you choose, your villa will feature high-tech amenities such as smart mood lighting, Wi-Fi, huge TVs and Bluetooth sound systems, while the bathrooms feature outdoor showers and organic bath products.

Dining at Six Senses Zil Pasyon is an eclectic affair, reflecting the diverse cuisine of the Seychelles, which has been influenced over the centuries by African, European and Asian traditions. At the laid-back Island Café, a range of international dishes are served throughout the day, while the Ocean Kitchen specialises in seafood overlooking the beach. At the Chef’s Kitchen, you can watch as your meal is personalised to your wishes, while the Wine Vault offers individual menus paired with fine wines at the recommendation of the resident sommelier.

For an after-dinner drink, make for Lakanbiz, a self-service honesty bar where you’ll have the run of a fine range of rums and cigars, or chill out with a cocktail by the pool at the Koko Bar.

The Six Senses resorts are famed for their spa facilities, and Zil Pasyon doesn’t disappoint, with five treatment villas offering a variety of holistic wellness treatments. These range from traditional deep tissue massages to African-inspired facial treatments. You’ll also find an elevated saltwater swimming pool, a yoga and meditation pavilion and a fully-equipped gym overlooking the ocean.

The untouched waters of the Seychelles make this a great place for scuba divers, with PADI-certified excursions taking you down into the technicolour coral reefs off the island, and snorkelling is also fantastic here. Above the waves, kayaking and paddle boarding are popular ways to explore the island’s coastline, while fishing and island-hopping boat trips are also available.

Back on terra firma, the island of Félicité can be explored with nature trails (the chefs will pack you a picnic), while the resort is home to a petanque arena and an outdoor cinema - the perfect way to spend an evening.