Constance Ephelia

This upscale resort is surrounded by nearly 300 acres of lush grounds dotted with palm trees, green
lawns, and tropical vegetation -- and that expansiveness and seclusion makes for a inspiring first impression. In many ways, this resort lives up to the tropical island getaway that many people are craving when they arrive. Architecture throughout features steep wooden roofs and breezy, open-air designs, though decor is rather
simple, which keeps this hotel from being on par with its luxury neighbors. Common areas are filled with wooden and rattan furnishings paired with cream-colored tile
floors and stone walls. The resort's focal point is the gorgeous
surrounding landscape, which is impressive. There are plenty of places for guests to mingle -- or enjoy some romantic time -- including five outdoor pools and two private beaches. The resort has a large kids club, making it appealing to families, and the casual open-air dining with views of the turquoise sea from some of the restaurants is a fine way for couples to enjoy their time together.

The resort occupies a massive chunk of land, situated on
nearly 300 acres of beachfront grounds surrounded by lush hillsides on Mahe Island in the Seychelles. Morne Seychelles
National Park is an eight-minute drive away and the surrounding area is full of gorgeous landscapes, hills, and beaches. Victoria, the capital city of the
Seychelles, is about a half-hour drive from here, where guests can visit the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, the Natural History Museum, or take a boat over to Sainte Anne
Marine National Park. Seychelles International Airport is a 30- to 35-minute drive from the hotel.

Spacious rooms, suites, and villas all have a simple, straightforward style. This isn't to say there aren't attractive elements -- rooms include free-standing sculptures, modern lighting, and neutral decor alongside dark hardwood and rattan furniture. It doesn't feel as fresh as one might expect, though, and elements like zebra-print throw pillows look a bit cheap. The smallest room is the Tropical Garden View Room -- starting at 48 square meters (517 square feet) -- which is suitable
for couples or single travelers. Larger options include suites with additional seating areas, and a variety of spacious villas, which have
private pools in tropical gardens and have multiple rooms and floors in many cases. Suites have private, furnished balconies or terraces with plenty of seating -- some have direct access to the hotel's gardens. All units have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffee/tea facilities, safes, and free Wi-Fi, plus villas have wine coolers with a selection of wine. Sleek, modern marble bathrooms have either walk-in showers or both tubs and separate showers.

Despite the simple look in many units, there are plenty of chances to splash out on a memorable getaway. The Hillside Villa has its own infinity pool. Swish Spa Villas have their own private double treatment rooms (with Shiseido skincare-based treatments included), along with hot
tubs and steam showers, while the massive Presidential Villa has a private
gym, spa, and gorgeous infinity pool with stunning views. It's worth noting that not all units have exceptional sea views and guests should check ahead.

Without a doubt, the star of this rest -- or stars, rather -- are the multiple swimming pools and the two private beaches. The beach feels natural and undeveloped, though there are contemporary lounge chairs and places to retreat into the shade under bobbing palm branches. The pools are all sleek and contemporary -- some are infinity pools with adjacent bars, and all have lounge chairs and wooden deck surrounding them.

There are also plenty of
dining and drinking options to choose from at the Constance Ephelia. The main buffet restaurant serves breakfast (included in room rates) and dinner, and the resort also offers a
Mediterranean buffet restaurant, a sushi bar, a beachside a la carte
restaurant, and Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine. Most of the dining options
and bars are housed in open-air structures, and alfresco
dining in lovely palm-tree shaded corners or overlooking the beach or pools is also available. Food gets mixed reviews from guests, and it can be quite expensive (which is the norm in exclusive tropical island destinations). Free snacks are offered in the afternoon and the hotel welcomes its guests with a free drink.

The resort has a huge, beautiful spa -- one of the largest in the Seychelles -- with 18 treatment
rooms and a wide list of treatments (even ones for kids), as well as a sauna,
steam room, thermal pool, hot tub, cold plunge pool, and yoga pavilion.
There’s a large, well-equipped fitness center, as well as a squash court, four
tennis courts, and an array of outdoor activities like snorkeling, diving,
paddle boarding, and zip-lining, though these incur pricey fees.

Kids are well catered for here with a large, comprehensive
kids’ club (for ages 4 to 11) with indoor and outdoor play areas, games, a
computer station, a trampoline, and even a mini rock-climbing wall. The hotel
also has a conference room. Other amenities include five on-site
shops selling local arts and crafts, clothing, and daily essentials, as well as
free Wi-Fi throughout the resort, though there have been some complaints about
the signal. A free shuttle service operates around the extensive grounds.