“Welcome to Paaa-ra-diiise” the bell boy told us with the free-spirited elongation of each syllable that only comes naturally to those well versed in the rhythm of island life. We chuckled in response but our laughs were instantaneously replaced with the jaw dropping silence of realising he was speaking the truth, as he dramatically opened the weighty, wooden doors of the Constance Lemuria Luxury Resort that did indeed lead to paradise.
Ahead of us was an infinity pool and an ocean and deciding which one to dip my toe into first was certainly one of life’s happier and least taxing decisions!
After a very friendly and speedy check in, we were delighted to learn our room was ready immediately and we when we were escorted there in the comfort of a buggy car, we knew we were going to end up gaining some flab during this stay!
Hotel rooms at Constance Lemuria
The balcony of our room led into the resort gardens and the bathroom was filled with lightly scented toiletries, where even the soap paid homage to the ecological importance of the Seychelles’ giant tortoises.
A platter of foodie treats lurked temptingly in the corner, the delicately wrapped cellophane of coconut shards unravelling hastily in my hands first.
I would make myself very much at home here, relaxing in the day bed during the post-beach / pre-dinner phase, by the coffee table that would become our own little restaurant one evening on a day when I wilted like a flower in the heat and unwisely, did not stay hydrated.
Suffice to say, heat stroke is not much fun and I have learned my lesson but once Pumpkin came back to the room to find me in my glasses and sleep-wear, hidden under the duvet at 5pm, it quickly dawned on him that we would be dining in-room that night. And when our pizza, ravioli and caramelised banana flan arrived, somehow the staff still managed to make it feel like a romantic restaurant (and showed no judgement to me eating at this makeshift restaurant in my pyjamas!)
White sand beaches at Constance Lemuria
But first, after dreaming of visiting the Seychelles for so long, it was time to sink my heels into those paradise beaches. Anse Kerlan was the boulder lined beach that we would spend the rest of the week ogling and we had not been on the premises long before we hunted down the snorkel gear and the pedal boats and away we went, chasing the clear, teal waters.
If any of these beach snaps catch your eye, then do stay tuned, as in the next few weeks, I promise to share more photos and tips on some of the most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles!
A very short buggy ride or walk away from the Constance Lemuria is a private beach by the name of Anse Georgette, one of the most idyllic beaches in the Seychelles but exclusively available for guests of Constance Lemuria in Praslin or its sister luxury Seychelles hotel, Constance Ephelia on Mahe island.
The hotel provides free towels and charming little picnic hampers with a charge for a day out on Anse Georgette. We did not order one but when we saw couples lazing around and picking at tasty treats, we felt rather envious!
Restaurants at Constance Lemuria
The food was perhaps where I felt the stakes were highest. We had booked this hotel on a bed and breakfast only basis but a brief glimpse at reviews showed us that dining was going to be a costly affair. However, I must say, despite the steep prices, we were highly impressed by the food quality. Our first taster was lunch the day we arrived and as it turns out, when you are in such glorious, luxury surroundings, even a club sandwich with chips feels rather special!
The buffet dinner had an impressive selection of changing dishes without compromising on quality, delivering some outstanding flavours and the kind of colourful fruit displays at breakfast time that put a spring in your step as you start the day.
Do not even ask me how many mini eclairs and macarons we got through…
And to be able to enjoy a vanilla tea every morning with this view was a truly sublime experience in itself.
The way in which the waiting staff always greeted us by name was a really nice gesture – how the flip do they remember?! What was also apparent and rather endearing was the jovial sense of banter between staff members, many of whom had moved to the Seychelles to work from far and wide, leaving family and friends behind and several of whom took a great interest in our Indian heritage, sharing their own experiences with us.
The staff work incredibly hard but from their smiles, hospitable service and sense of camaraderie, you could see that the Seychelles island life had worked its magic on them!
We saw out our final night there at the resort’s fine dining restaurant, The Sea Horse, where we dined under the romantic low lighting of chandeliers illuminating the dark skies and where the highlight was undoubtedly this poached local spinach with ricotta, parmesan and candied tomato in a saffron sauce.
And the restaurant experience we had been most excited about was the prospect of dinner “on the rocks”, where the waves crash thunderously against the boulders, providing the most natural and cathartic soundtrack to a decadent lobster meal.
But if beach dining is more your idea of romance, just ask the staff about the romantic beach dinners they can arrange.
We skipped it on this occasion as we had enjoyed a very special beach lunch in Zanzibar during our honeymoon so chose the rocks this time instead!
An 18 hole Championship Golf Course
This resort will appeal in particular to all those of you with a penchant for a round of golf with one of the best golf courses in the Seychelles. I myself have never played (unless you count a round of crazy golf by the seaside) but Pumpkin parted ways with me for a couple of hours in the late afternoon heat to touch up his golf skills and returned consumed with envy-inducing words about the views he came across as he traversed the course (and rather more self deprecating words about his own state of play!)
A Rainy Day in the Seychelles
We were lucky that during our 5 night stay, only our last day was afflicted by rain and whilst we would have been quite happy hiding under the duvet covers and watching movies, we were quite excited by the formal rainy day itinerary they had put on for us.
Pumpkin and I love a good board game and no matter how many consecutive times I lose to him, I still live on in the deluded belief that one day I will be victorious. So at 11am, we were in the bar playing a generic version of Scrabble and happily drinking cocktails and mocktails 🙂
And then the a resident, independent adjudicator strolled on in to make sure we were playing fair and square 😀
Pumpkin suppressed the urge to make the most of the free mid afternoon pancake and waffle station that the staff had arranged, whilst, I ventured out to the spa for a facial (the rain was the absolute dream of an excuse I had been waiting on the whole trip to justify it to myself!) My spa appointment did mean that I missed the tea tasting however and those who remember my love of tea will understand why I wish I had foreseen the clash!
As I left, I thought my face may just float into thin air and I walked out with a feeling of zen despite the torrential showers that had taken place that morning, which is a sentiment, I can assure you, I NEVER experience when it rains in England!
Most of the luxury resorts in the Seychelles are found on Mahe island so we really enjoyed the experience of being on the smaller, less crowded island of Praslin, whilst still being cocooned in this luxury Seychelles resort.
You are never quite sure if and when you may return to destinations like this and I could think of no better way to have said goodbye to the magical Seychelles islands, than by staring into this sunset on our final night, so captivating and with such a thought-provoking intensity.
The sunsets in Jimbaran, Bali last year struck such a chord with me that I dedicated an entire post to them just a few weeks ago and watch this space, for as I write this post, I feel an urge to do something similar with the sky views from the Seychelles…
Have you ever found a paradise beach somewhere in the world? I’d love to hear your favourites!
Disclaimer: Our dinner on the rocks was complimentary for review purposes but I am an opinionated little island hopper and all views, good or bad, are entirely my own.
Why Waste Annual Leave? 
Well reading this has just made me really, really hungry! Looks like an amazing place and as you said that private beach looks absolutely idyllic. Very Jealous. 🙂
Thanks so much for reading Adam! The private beaches here were just stunning and the food really turned out to be delicious, which was quite a relief! I often get hungry after reading blog posts too so I always try and have a snack first 😀
This post was killing me with every beautiful photo after beautiful photo! I looked from the screen to the window, saw the grey old London sky and just sighed lol.
Hehe, ooops apologies for that Connie! It was supposed to just bring a ray of sunshine to your day but it’s never great reading about sunny places when the weather outside is murky! But so glad you like the pics though – it was a beautiful place to visit ☺
Shikha I wouldn’t have left this hotel. So much gorgeous blue colours. Beautiful.
Zoe | Love and Limoncello
Thanks so much Zoe! The colours were just so captivating and I know you would have loved this hotel! Definitely worth a visit one day if you ever fancy a lovely beach break ☺
The suites look very spacious and the food in the restaurants including the buffet looks month watering. I can see that you must of enjoyed your stay. It must of been hard to leave that behind.
It was really hard to leave behind Carmen, as it was such a wonderful resort! I’ve had mixed experiences with hotel buffet food in the past so I was definitely really impressed with it here and it was nice to try a mix of a la carte and buffet too. Thanks so much for reading ☺
I always thought that being a budget travel blogger does not really allow you to do luxurious things, but in fact it’s not true. It feels great to get spoiled sometimes and treat yourself well. Your room looks absolutely amazing and I wish I could transport myself there. Stunning beach, lovely meals – mnia, mniam! Enjoy it – I definitely would!
Thanks so much Agness! I think you’re right that it’s always nice to occasionally spoil yourself where possible and with such gorgeous beaches, this resort was perfect for that ☺
Oh wow the hotel looks amazing! I remember seeing it when I was looking up places to stay and thought it looked great. Even the chips look excellent haha! I love the photo of you and the sunset, beautiful!
Ash | Liakada
Oh thank you Ash – that was one of hubby’s spontaneous snaps when I was gazing away at the beautiful colours! The hotel was so luxurious though I imagine that’s the case with lots of them out there but I’d certainly recommend looking this up if you ever return Ash ☺
Oh my goodness! This is so unbelievably beautiful. It’s making me want to rush off on the first flight and soak up a bit of luxury for myself! (And yes, I DEFINITELY think a post on the Seychelles sunsets is in order 😉 )
Yay! I’m delighted you’re keen on the sunset post idea – I’ll have to get on with that one soon enough! I definitely think you deserve a bit of luxury and funnily enough, just writing the post made me want to rush off on the first flight away myself
The bell boy had it right, it looks like paradise and what a sunset! Impressed by that golf course too
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
Hehe, he certainly was Suze and that final night pink sunset was probably one of my favourite ever moments from travel anywhere ! Pumpkin said the golf course was amazing with really beautiful views – I almost tagged along just so I could see them!
Wow this indeed seems to be a great location for traveler who are indeed found of great travel luxury.
Thank you! It was a fabulous resort to stay in for a few days of easy going luxury in a beautiful destination ☺
This really does look like paradise! I’m dreaming of being there right now and that spinach and ricotta meal looks delish. Cannot believe you missed out on the pancake and waffle station though Shikha!
Hehe, I know! Poor show on my part eh Ayla – but what’s a girl to do when the spa is beckoning?! 😀 It really was every bit as a paradise as it looks – I could have just stared at the gorgeous sea views for hour upon hour!
That peacock! :O 🙂 What a stunning post!
Thank you so much Ishita ☺ So pleased you enjoyed the post – the beautiful views of the island and resort certainly made it easy for me to try and put together a nice post about it! The peacock would just wander around freely and I love the colours on its feathers ☺
Aw, everything looks so beautiful! Sounds like the perfect relaxing break. Ahh, having to decide between a facial and tea tasting must have been hard though!
Hehe, talk about #firstworldproblems eh Emily?! It was an uber relaxing break and so picturesque – definitely a great place to pause, relax and recharge the batteries ☺
Wow, that looks like heaven! I can see why you had trouble choosing between the pool and the beach, they both look amazing. And I love that they have rainy day cocktails – think I might have to implement that idea at home!
I know, I was wondering whether we could implement some kind of similar fun rainy day schedule here in England too Laura, though it’s probably less fun if it’s most of the year! The resort was gorgeous as were the Seychelles in general – now I finally understand what the hype is about! Thanks so much for reading ☺
Like you, we’ve dreamed of visiting the Seychelles. But unlike you, we haven’t visited! Except virtually, through your post :-). Your hotel looks lovely. And the beach! Such white, white sand! The blinding whiteness of it reminds us a little of Mnemba Island, off the coast of Zanzibar. For us, our short stay at andBeyond Mnemba Island Lodge (no shoes, eco-villas, all the lobster you could eat – Bill Gates has stayed there) came close to paradise.
Oh Janice & George – that Mnemba accommodation sounds like absolute paradise! We actually honeymooned in Zanzibar but didn’t go there and I wish I had done now, hearing your description of it but perhaps another day if we return! I’m so glad the post gave you a little glimpse into the Seychelles but I have no doubts you’ll both love it if and when you end up going!
This is reaaally a paradise!!! The Seychelles have been on my bucket list since I discovered they exist! It was one of my options for my honeymoon, but I ended up choosing the Maldives… my paradise on earth so far 😀 ❤
Great review, stunning hotel!!
Oh Allane, I totally know what you mean about Maldives – when we went a couple of years ago, my jaw nearly dropped to the floor at how beautiful it was – definitely another paradise on earth! You will love the Seychelles too though, I have no doubt though for snorkelling etc, Maldives was still mu highlight but the beaches here in Seychelles had a different unique type of beautiful scenery so although the 2 destinations often get compared, I actually found them to be quite different and lovely in their own ways ☺
It is very nice to know from you (who have been to both) how they differ from the other! I certainly plan to visit the Seychelles too!! I miss the Maldives very much, such a wonderful place in this planet! 😀
Voilà donc un bon guide, bien passionnant. J’ai beaucoup aimé alors n’hésiterai pas à le recommander, c’est pas mal du tout !
Thanks so much for the comment – I had to translate it as my French isn’t brilliant
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