Seen as one of the country’s most exclusive resorts, the resort was designed by Bill Bensley and Lek Bunnag and will come under the new brand in September.

Set to be known as Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas, the move will strengthen the group’s footprint in the Indian Ocean, where it already has six hotels across the Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. 

Unlike many of the country’s ultra-luxury resorts, Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas is on the main island of Mahe, the largest of the islands and home to the international airport.

The 30-acre resort sits on Anse Louis Beach and is built into giant granite rocks and hillside gardens on the south west coast.

Known for its very high levels of privacy, it could be seen as perfect in a post-Covid travel climate. 

There are just 30 villas, each with a dedicated host available 24-hours a day, while the property’s ‘Beyond All Inclusive’ concept offers unlimited dining, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, daily yoga and qigong, unlimited diving and non-motorised watersports and many other activities incorporated in the cost of the stay. 

Anantara Spa has three open-air treatment rooms set among the rocks and gardens, and there is also a main resort pool and fitness centre with TechnoGym Excite equipment.

“Without question Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas will become one of Anantara’s flagship properties and joins our existing portfolio of stunning Indian Ocean resorts,” said Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive of Minor Hotels and Minor International, parent company of Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas.

Having had very few cases and no deaths from Covid-19, the Seychelles was cautious to reopen, initially only allowing private jet arrivals, but will now allow commercial flights from 1 August, with Emirates among those resuming service.

The Seychelles is on the UK’s list of permitted travel corridor countries, but unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal, with the UK remaining on Seychelles’ "red list" of high-risk countries and therefore not authorized to enter for now. 

Other arrivals not from red list countries must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test performed within the 72 hours prior to boarding a flight.