Where else could we be, other than on an island, lined with palm trees and surrounded by the turquoise-coloured ocean? And the name of this jewel of the Seychelles, the French word for happiness, really hits the mark: Félicité. The sixth largest of the Seychelle islands in the Indian Ocean is privately owned; there is only one resort and with its hand-picked number of exclusive residences and villas, it’s the perfect location for an unforgettable break. Happiness is also assured on the delightful flight to the main island of Mahé with Qatar Airways, from where you take a short helicopter shuttle to reach your dream island destination which, thanks to its natural beauty, gives you an immediate sense of profound happiness.
The Seychelles are perfect for those who long to escape the hectic of everyday life: Around 115 granite and coral islands make up this island nation in the Indian Ocean, where you can enjoy dream beaches, tropical flair and Robinson Crusoe-esque solitude. With constant temperatures between 24 and 32 degrees, it’s summer all year round here – ideal for enjoying romantic time as a couple or an island-hopping adventure. With their characteristic granite cliffs, white sandy bays and palm trees, Mahé, La Digue and Praslin are among the more familiar dream destinations of the Seychelles, whereas Félicité Island, which is only 3 square kilometres in size and part of the inner Seychelles, is still an insider tip. The flora and fauna of this former coconut plantation have been gently restored – two thirds of this exclusive private island have been declared a national park. And those who want an occasional change of scene can take a trip to the neighbouring islands: Île Cocos, Les Sœurs and Marianne are just a short boat ride away from Félicité, as are La Digue and Praslin.
It’s only 20 minutes by helicopter from Seychelles International Airport on Mahé to the airstrip on Félicité – an alternative to taking the speedboat from Praslin, which you can reach via a short domestic flight. It’s the preferrable transfer and a good opportunity to get an initial aerial view of this fabulously situated archipelago. Seeing Félicité from the air gives you your first feelings of exhilaration: The buildings of Six Senses Zil Pasyon are loosely scattered among greenery and cliff formations to the north of the island, almost invisibly embedded in the unspoilt picturesque landscape. Paths are sensed rather than seen; everything seems to be harmoniously intertwined. As well as the pool villas with one or two bedrooms, the spacious private residences are particularly impressive: With futuristic architecture, they have a fascinating statement appearance as though from another world; you almost expect James Bond to walk out onto the terrace. With the living area across two floors and three or four bedrooms, they offer luxurious space to share with several people. Naturally the location is shielded from view, guaranteeing a high level of privacy. The hillside location and floor-to-ceiling windows on every floor open up a breathtaking panoramic view of the natural surroundings and far out to sea. You can enjoy this view from the spacious living room or the patio deck in front of it, which opens out onto a semi-circular infinity pool, spectacularly enthroned above the cliffs. Another pool deck is located one floor higher, right in front of the master bedroom. The glass floor of this pool is integrated into the roof of the living room underneath, creating a captivatingly unique play of light. There are three of these elite residences available – a superlatively exclusive experience characterised by ultimate lifestyle and visionary design in the midst of the unspoiled idyll. The location uniquely lives up to the name and the philosophy of the resort as an 'island of passion' that touches all our senses; sharpens, renews and invigorates our perception; and brings us back to our true grounded selves.
Yes, it’s possible to spend your whole day in your wonderful residence, observing the clouds on the horizon from your lounger or the catamarans that arrive from the other islands, lured by the beauty of Félicité, to go snorkelling and diving on the reefs. But of course, that’s just the start: The Spa is dedicated completely to the physical and spiritual wellbeing of the guests; as well as relaxing treatments, you can take advantage of a holistic medical health consultation. Straight away, the elevated location of the Spa, surrounded by giant granite cliffs makes you feel free, carefree and inspired by the breathtaking spectacle of nature. Practice yoga on the cliff plateau or listen to the whisperings of the wind in cosy hammocks; here everyone can relax however they like – you can even hire the spectacular pool, submerged into the cliff, for your own private use. It goes without saying that the sense of wellbeing at the Six Senses Zil Pasyon includes a diverse range of culinary delights. As a change from taking your meals in your residence or villa, the Island Café provides an inviting selection of eastern, western and regional Creole cuisine. Accompanied by an excellent wine list and fine rum specialities, it’s a relaxing place to dine at any time of the day, which also applies to how the delicious dishes are prepared: Instead of gourmet platters, numerous colourful, delightfully aromatic dishes are served and from time to time you can watch the chef de cuisine at work. Those who love fish are naturally in their element here: The catch of the day and other fresh seafood dishes are served in the Ocean Kitchen, often with a touch of traditional local style. And after the meal? Discover the beaches along picturesque paths, paddle on kayaks through the crystal clear turquoise water or investigate the fish and corals – unfortunately this largely untouched corner of the world has not been spared from coral bleaching. At sunset it’s time to find your favourite magical place to sit where you will be handed a cocktail, with a smile and excellent service. The evening is welcome at this place, which promises happiness – and delivers it.
Qatar Airways – Qsuite
When superb flying comfort is the order of the day, they are top of the menu: Qatar Airways are not only reliable when it comes to excellent service. Over the past one and a half years, the company has also continued to fly all their routes as planned, despite the challenges involved. The company, founded in 1997 and part of the Oneworld Alliance, has a clearly defined strategy: to impress customers with first-class service and continue to grow by delivering top performance. The numerous prestigious awards and state-of-the art fleet of 250 aircraft proves that this is not merely a theoretical goal but a lived reality: Their machines are modern, just 5 years old on average, and are in correspondingly top condition. Crowned once again as Best Business Class, Qatar Airways fulfils the highest requirements: the Qsuite is a masterpiece of flexibility and space; cramped conditions are replaced by a delightful private space with clever seating solutions for relaxed sleep in a double bed. That’s how comfortable it is getting to the Seychelles – or around 130 other destinations.
