If you only go on 1 island holiday, go to Seychelles (and stay at a Constance resort)
I had been in touch with the PR for Constance Hotels and Resorts, a group of 7 luxury 5 star island hotels and resorts, for some time, and we had pencilled in February as a tentative date for a trip to the Seychelles. However, work is going to be busy then for both myself and my hubby, and I was stressing about taking leave then and wondering if it would even be possible.
I then decided to take a chance and see if Constance still had availability for the very next week, and contacted Air Seychelles to check for reasonably priced flights.
I really thought there was no way I’d be able to pull it off 5 days ahead of time, but somehow it just all worked out. The place I book my cats in had a last minute cancellation so I was able to send them for boarding, the return flight from Seychelles landed hours before we were due to depart for Durban, we got a good deal on the flights, and I was able to go into a few days of negative leave.
So by Wednesday morning, our trip to Seychelles for 3 days later was confirmed- and I was just bursting with excitement!
I’ve been fortunate enough to experience a few Indian Ocean islands. I’ve been to Zanzibar, Mozambique and Mauritius (twice!)
I didn’t doubt that I would have a fantastic time in Seychelles, but I didn’t anticipate it to be that much different from Mauritius. I was SO wrong. I stayed in 5 star properties on all the above islands, but both the setting and service of all these don’t even come close to what I experienced at Constance. Also, Seychelles has far more natural beauty than Mauritius and is less commercial, so you feel as though you’ve really escaped the city.
We were due to visit the 2 Constance properties in the Seychelles, Ephélia, situated on
Praslin is only a 15 minute (very scenic) flight away from Seychelles, so after a short stopover in Mahé, we arrived at Constance Lemuria around 9pm at night.
The 5 star treatment started with us being picked up in an X5 at the airport. A black one, with cream leather interior- my dream car. At that moment, I knew it would be a good holiday. Upon arrival at the hotel, after being greeted with refreshing cold towels scented with rosewater, we checked into our room. Our room was magnificent. It was huge, firstly. We had an Apple TV, with at least 200 dvds pre-programmed into the television. We spent a good half hour oohing and aahing over the tv, which could connect to the internet and worked like a computer. We had a private balcony to admire the seaside view from, a big bathroom with his and hers basins, and a spacious lounge area as well.
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| We got treated to a bottle of champagne, it was the real stuff from France- not sparkling wine! |
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| The balcony |
After ogling over checking out our room, we rushed off to one of Lémuria‘s 3 restaurants to get some dinner before the buffet closed at 10pm. Now, I’m usually not a fan of buffets. Mass produced, industrial food does not do it for me. But this is no normal buffet. You get to choose an amuse bouche from a wide selection. Think mini sushi, prawn cocktail, tuna salad- all individually presented. Main courses were varied and delicious- the pastas are made while you wait, the tandoori is grilled in front of you. And the dessert buffet is not a buffet at all- it’s a high tea. I could tell there was a huge amount of attention to detail given to each and every dessert. They were perfectly presented! The 5 star service we experienced upon arrival continued, with a waiter taking my plate from me as soon I finished serving myself at the buffet and actually carrying it to our table for me.
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| Trust me- these taste as good as they look! |
After being sufficiently blown away by the food, we headed to bed for some well needed rest. Breakfast the next morning was a huge variety of everything you’d expect from a 5 star buffet plus a little bit more. I loved that pancakes were freshly made while you wait, I treated myself to a nutella crepe every morning 
We also enjoyed the variety of preserves on offer, including banana compote!
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| Coconut and chocolate cake with a variety of compotes |
We had 3 full days to spend at the resort, most of which were spent taking full advantage of everything Lémuria had to offer- namely sunset walks on the beach, golf, spa treatments, table tennis, and FOOD. Honestly, I would have been perfectly content to spend each and every day doing this:
The staff at Constance won’t allow you to lift a finger. As soon as you arrive at the beach, you pick a sunbed and they lay out a towel for you and bring you the cocktail menu. I must warn you that drinks are extremely expensive- averaging at around R150 a cocktail. I didn’t mind too much (alcohol = empty kilojoules) so was quite happy to sip on the complimentary water we were given and enjoy 1 cocktail a day.
I can’t even explain to you how stunning the beach is. Luminous turquoise water, framed by lush, rocky mountains. Everytime I gazed up from my book I almost had to catch my breath because what was in front of me was that breathtaking. We also swam everyday, the water was so warm and clear, it felt like we were in a heated pool.
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| I loved my daily beach walks.. got caught up in my thoughts while standing on the edge of paradise.. |
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| The pool is split over 3 levels, this is one of them |
Jan 04, 2013 @ 08:55:12
Is this an all inclusive resort where meals and water/coldrinks are included?
That dessert buffet looks so yummy.
xx
Jackie
Jan 04, 2013 @ 09:08:11
Hi Jackie
Dinner is included, but lunch and drinks are extra. There is a supermarket close by where you can buy drinks for cheaper than what you’d pay in the resort
The dessert buffet was amazing! honestly better than some high teas I’ve been to.
Sep 25, 2014 @ 10:40:01
Hi Hasmita
I know its a bit strange to receive a comment on a much older post, but I wanted to thank you for all your amazing reviews and suggestions. My husband and I recently got back from the Maldives, where we stayed at Constance Halaveli, purely based on your recommendation and the island posts you shared with us. We were blown away with every detail of the resort, including Apple tv LOL! It was a holiday of a lifetime, even though we were staying at only one resort for a week or so.
Thank you for being very honest in all your reviews, and congratulations on your recent new venture!
I look forward to following your adventures though out the world.
All the best,
Maveshree
Sep 26, 2014 @ 10:54:36
Hi Maveshree, I’m so thrilled you went to a resort based on my recommendations- that’s my ultimate goal so it makes me really happy that my posts adequately conveyed the Constance magic. I’ve been trying to get to Maldives myself for ages and I’m hoping to make it happen soon. Thanks again for the comment. x Hasmita
Nov 15, 2014 @ 12:06:50
Wow! What a LOVELY read.
We LOVE traveling and feel that this is life itself. We were just reading up on the differences between Mauritius and the Seychelles yesterday. Most of what we read agree’s with you personal encounter. This is by the far the less franchised Island.
We are hoping to visit the Island’s shortly, and fit as much as we possibly can in, under such an picturesque environment.
Keep writing, we are enjoying spending weekends soaking up your posts!
Love from Durban, South Africa and @Ceecestaxi