Cheval Blanc Seychelles, Mahé Island, Seychelles

Posted in Projects on 11 May, 2025

Villas nestle in harmony on island paradise.

The sixth Cheval Blanc, curled around Anse Intendance beach on Mahé Island in the Seychelles, embodies an exceptional art of living in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations. All 52 villas offer stunning, uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean, with 24 bordering the white sand beach and 28 hidden in the green hills. Each of the villas, which range in size from 220m² to 620m², has its own 12.5-metre swimming pool.

Cheval Blanc Seychelles. Above and top: Vivamento restaurant. Photographs courtesy of Cheval Blanc

Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, who was responsible for Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives, the contemporary architecture of this new resort, which opened in December, melds spacious volumes with local inspiration to ensure interior and exterior are in complete harmony. Here tropical naturalism blends with modernist precision. Inspired by Creole living principles and local architecture, Gathy has created an architectural dialogue that harmonises luxurious interior spaces with the breath-taking Seychelles landscape. Arranged along the pristine Anse Intendance beach of Mahé Island, the resort’s villas blend seamlessly into the natural environment.

The Main Lodge, with its soaring 8.5-metre ceilings, is an immersive space that blends luxury and architectural purity.

There’s a distinctive casual-chic atmosphere that combines relaxed elegance with refined luxury. As Gathy said: “Elegance doesn’t come from wearing high heels; on vacation, it’s about being sophisticated yet relaxed. It is this type of casual-chic atmosphere that I have tried to translate at Cheval Blanc Seychelles.”

The villas showcase Gathy’s focus on erasing boundaries between interior and exterior

The villas epitomise a harmonious blend of sculptural finesse and airy openness, characterised by expansive spaces, natural illumination and lofty dimensions that foster a natural sense of ease. From the sculptural communal areas to the illusion of suspended ceilings created by sliding, baseless windows, Gathy’s design invites guests to unwind and be immersed in the tropical environment without forsaking sophistication – a defining feature of casual-chic living in the Seychelles.

With a colour scheme of shades of white, sand and greige, the refined villas blend harmoniously into this place where the optic white of the sand, the dark grey of the volcanic rocks and the deep green of the vegetation mingle. Rather than vying for attention against the captivating backdrop, the villas’ design ethos prioritises refinement, comfort and aesthetics, embodying a subtlety that complements the natural splendour of the surroundings.

With a colour scheme of shades of white, sand and greige, the refined villas blend harmoniously into this place where the optic white of the sand, the dark grey of the volcanic rocks and the deep green of the vegetation mingle

Drawing inspiration from traditional Seychelles architecture, the villas feature high, sloping roofs and wide openings that invite natural ventilation and panoramic views. Gathy’s focus on erasing boundaries between interior and exterior enables guests to experience a seamless connection with the tropical surroundings and the authentic architectural elements of Seychelles.

Gathy’s design invites guests to unwind and be immersed in the tropical environment without forsaking sophistication – a defining feature of casual-chic living in the Seychelles.

The villas are characterised by generous floor areas and open-plan configurations. A deliberate focus on incorporating numerous apertures and expansive, unobstructed views continues the design ethos of the property, establishing a connection between the constructed environment and the natural terrain. The villas are extensions of the surrounding landscape, prioritising the circulation of air and natural light over artificial cooling and lighting. It is a methodology that integrates, fluidly, the indoor and outdoor realms, embodying naturalistic design principles.

The Main Lodge, with its soaring 8.5-metre ceilings, is an immersive space that blends luxury and architectural purity. This modernist approach extends to the villas, where expansive living areas are designed to exude both grandeur and intimacy. Natural texture and artificial materials are deliberately balanced. Modern materials such fiberglass in artwork installations contrast with natural wood and the raw, tactile quality of stone, striking a balance between innovation and tradition.

Work by artists such as Joël Andrianomearisoa and Prune Nourry complement the contemporary lines of Cheval Blanc Seychelles.

Vivamento restaurant offers Italian dishes

There are five distinct restaurant concepts: Le White, serving cosmopolitan food with Seychellois Creole flavours; Vivamento next to the main swimming pool, offering Italian dishes; the beach club Sula, with its Mediterranean spirit; Mizumi, which is devoted to contemporary Japanese food; and Le 1947, serving French gastronomy.

Le 1947 restaurant serves French gastronomy

A haven of peace, the Spa Cheval Blanc, was created by Guerlain. Specially developed treatments, inspired by the island’s natural wonders, are offered within the spa’s eight rooms.

Children, families and younger guests can discover the flora and fauna of the Seychelles through outdoor activities, a water park and interactive installations at Le Carrousel, a large play space.

Committed to its quest for excellence and its deep connection to local identity, Cheval Blanc is anchoring its expertise in a new destination. After the Maldives, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Tropez, the brand completes the seaside jewels with Seychelles.