Welcome to Enchanted Island
Discreetly nestled on a forested island, ten ultra-luxurious
villas overlook a sprawling lagoon. Their private infinity swimming pools plunge
seamlessly towards the backdrop of ever-changing hues of green and blue. The nearby
islets, all jagged-peaked, that emerge from the surrounding waters seem to be within
touching distance.
Though several superlatives spring to mind, secluded
exclusiveness is possibly the most apt term to describe Enchanted Island, the
new hotel recently opened on Round Island by JA Resorts & Hotels, a
Dubai-based group. Located a stone’s throw from Victoria, just opposite
uninhabited Ile Moyenne, this is a place for those who cherish tranquility and
intimacy.
There’s a lot to like about the hotel’s concept.
Firstly, its emphasis on small is beautiful is a refreshing departure from many
of the soulless resorts increasingly common on these shores. The decision to
limit the number of villas to ten was a conscious one, both out of respect for
the island and the guests. On Enchanted Island, privacy is a right rather than
a privilege. Secondly, Creole-style architecture has been privileged, rather
than the ubiquitous “Bali fusion” style that passes for hotel design nowadays.
Corrugated
iron roofs and wooden beams give the structures an air of understated luxury, a
certain je ne sais quoi that can’t really be contrived.
Thirdly, the kitchen is
run by renowned local gastronome Chef Denis Ulric who knows exactly how to
blend local and imported ingredients to perfection. Each three-course a la
carte dinner at Bounty, the hotel’s only restaurant, is unique.
And that’s not all. The Serena spa offers
everything from massages for couples in the Adam and Eve room to Ayurveda
treatment using a drop-by-drop technique meant to open the third eye. The hotel
offers hand-picked excursions to the neighbouring islands complete with
impeccably prepared picnics. The list goes on. But one suspects that many a
guest will be happy to simply enjoy the coddled seclusion of their villa.
Indeed, viewed from their wooden decks, the world appears a more benevolent
place. And if that’s not enough, there’s always the Wi-Fi, cable TV and other
amenities to keep them busy. “Privacy is hugely important to us. We wanted to
recreate the Seychelles of 40, 50 years ago. Personalized service is also
priority”, says Fredrik Reinisch, regional general manager of JA Resort &
Hotels. |
| View of Round Island |
Given that the hotel can accommodate a
maximum of 24 guests (for a staff of 60 - half of whom are Seychellois),
privacy and service are in fact “guaranteed”. The former quality in particular
has apparently attracted the attention “the celebrity market”. As its first
venture outside of the United Arab Emirates, JA Resorts & Hotels has
invested a lot of effort in the project. Just building the hotel was a
Herculean task, one which took a full five years. Not that you’d notice, mind you,
considering how effortlessly it blends into its environment.
In addition,
Enchanted Island’s proximity to the airport means that guests can flop down on
their beds virtually within half an hour of having landed (the boat ride from
The Wharf lasts around 10 minutes).
Perhaps there’s something you should know
before going there though: Enchanted Island casts a potent spell, one that
will linger long after you've returned home.
{ This article, by Nicholas Rainer, was originally published
in the TODAY in Seychelles Newspaper (www.today.sc) }
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