Cheval Blanc Seychelles
Two Michelin Keys
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Hotel Details
Location
Takamaka
Seychelles, Africa
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Expert Review: Cheval Blanc Seychelles
Cheval Blanc Seychelles, a prestigious Michelin Key Two-Keys property, offers an undeniably luxurious and exceptionally designed retreat in Takamaka. While generally receiving high praise for its aesthetics, service, and dining, the resort's beachfront location presents a notable point of contention for some guests.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding Cheval Blanc Seychelles is largely "exceptional" and highly positive, often described as enchanting despite some minor shortcomings. Guests consistently highlight the unmistakable Cheval Blanc style, design, and meticulous attention to detail. It's seen as a place offering unparalleled comforts and often faultless service, characteristic of the luxury brand. The resort is deemed suitable for couples, families, and small groups, providing a relaxing yet engaging atmosphere with ample facilities.
2. Key Highlights
Guests frequently laud several aspects of Cheval Blanc Seychelles:
- Design & Aesthetics: The resort is celebrated for its exquisite tastefulness, modern and sleek artistry, and beautiful curved lines. The design integrates nature, with textures, hues, and patterns echoing the jungle and sea, and features curated art pieces.
- Service & Hospitality: The service is consistently described as "on point," professional, polite, and welcoming. Butlers (Majordomes) offer bespoke experiences and are responsive, with the General Manager often noted for being very present and hands-on.
- Amenities: A Guerlain spa, a main pool with ocean views, a fitness room, and a variety of high-end dining and drinking venues are significant drawcards. The spa offers personalized journeys inspired by island botanicals, though some facilities like saunas and steam rooms were noted as unfinished upon early visits. Each villa also boasts a private infinity pool.
- Privacy: The resort strives for privacy, with hillside villas offering more seclusion and better views than some beachfront options.
3. Room Quality
Cheval Blanc Seychelles features 52 lavish villas, available either on the forested hillside or directly on the beach. The rooms are extremely modern, spacious, and don't feel cold, boasting high ceilings and entire walls of glass facing the ocean. Interiors are airy and elemental, decorated in white and greige palettes with tactile accents of white-washed timber, rattan, and mother-of-pearl. Guests appreciate details like a separate, well-designed closet room, and Cheval Blanc-branded sandals and robes. Modern amenities such as iPads and minibars are also provided. Many guests prefer the hilltop villas for their superior layout and better views, noting that one-bedroom beach villas can feel more open-plan and may lack separate living spaces.
4. Dining Experience
The dining experience is a major highlight, with guests reporting "overall great" food, especially the dinners. The resort offers five individual restaurants and bars, each with a distinct culinary focus:
- Le 1947: The flagship fine-dining venue offering French haute cuisine with local inspiration.
- La Case: Serves fresh seafood and reimagined Creole classics in a refined beachfront setting.
- Mizumi: An Asian restaurant praised for its quality food and unique lakefront setting with sunken seating.
- Le White Restaurant: Provides all-day dining with international favorites.
- Le White Bar: An elegant space for refreshments and cocktails.
- Vivamento and Sula Beach Club: Also listed as dining options.
Breakfast is highly rated (guest review score: 10) and includes both buffet and à la carte options, featuring traditional fare alongside Asian noodles and dishes. Ingredients are consistently high quality, and private dining experiences, such as beach barbecues, are also available.
5. Service & Staff
The service at Cheval Blanc Seychelles is a significant strong point, often described as "unparalleled and faultless." Guests commend the warm, friendly, and fantastic approach of the staff. Butlers, or "Majordomes," are dedicated to guest needs, assisting with unpacking, arranging spa treatments, and offering suggestions. The General Manager is noted for being highly engaged and hands-on. While generally excellent, some guests have mentioned housekeeping can be slow. The staff are also noted for improving with time as the resort matures.
6. Location & Accessibility
The resort is nestled on the shores of Anse Intendance Beach in Takamaka, described as a "truly hidden cove" with emerald waters and vibrant jungle. It is located a few steps from the beach and approximately 16 km (9.9 miles) from Seychelles International Airport. Nearby attractions include Victoria Clock Tower and the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens.
However, the location presents a significant challenge: the beach itself. The ocean at Anse Intendance can be characterized by a "dangerous tide" and is often unswimmable due to rough, loud, and chaotic conditions, leading one reviewer to dub it "Ebola Beach." Furthermore, public beach access means non-guests may be present directly in front of villas, diminishing privacy. This public access also means some beachfront villas may have their views obstructed by shrubs for privacy. Getting to the Seychelles is also noted as potentially difficult due to flight schedules.
7. Value & Pricing
As a property of the luxury LVMH group, Cheval Blanc Seychelles commands premium pricing. Rates start around $2,000 per night. Specific examples include 2-bedroom beach villas ranging from $4,830 to $5,570 per night plus taxes, and 3-bedroom villas at $7,980 to $13,700 per night plus taxes. An additional 15% tax and 10% service charge apply. While the luxury offering is high, the value proposition can be debated, particularly given the issues with the beach's usability.
8. Common Complaints
The most recurring and significant complaint revolves around the beach and ocean conditions at Anse Intendance. Guests frequently mention the rough, unswimmable, and noisy ocean, as well as the presence of the public on what is considered a luxury resort's beachfront. This public access and the need for privacy measures (like shrubs) can also hinder views from beachfront villas.
Other criticisms, though less frequent, include:
- Slow housekeeping.
- Minor construction or renovation activities (e.g., ladders, workers) occurring during peak guest hours, such as breakfast.
- Some spa facilities (sauna, steam rooms) not being fully operational during earlier visits, making the overall spa offering feel "underbaked."
- The one-bedroom beach villas lacking a separate living space and feeling less spacious or practical than hillside options.
- Initial "teething problems" as a new property, although many have reportedly been corrected over time.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Other criticisms, though less frequent, include:
- •The one-bedroom beach villas lacking a separate living space and feeling less spacious or practical than hillside options.
- •Initial "teething problems" as a new property, although many have reportedly been corrected over time.
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