The Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island – a place where summer never ends
The international icon of high-end hospitality, Waldorf Astoria, opened in Seychelles. This niche boutique resort on the private island of Platte Island offers a new level of voguish travel luxury in the spirit of sustainability and a sense of place connected to the archipelago's identity.
Author: JS
Photos: materiały prasowe
The Waldorf Astoria hotel brand expanded by another icon, the fortieth jewel in their collection. The latest addition to the group, founded in 1893 in New York, is a five-star resort on a tropical private island located 130 kilometers (a twenty-minute flight) from Mahé, the main island and capital of the Seychelles. Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island aims to become the most exclusive venue of this popular archipelago and reset so the benchmark of the entire region.
The Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island offers fifty generously sized, yet intimately designed villas in a style evoking the atmosphere of a lost paradise. Each villa is individually enhanced by a personal butler service. The remarkably sustainable and highly ecological concept designed by architects from the Singapore based studio Eco.ID, was based on the elements of the surrounding landscape and materials with ethically traceable origins.
The color palette of the biophilic design concept is neutral and harmonizing, putting forward the true colors of the island’s life as the airy interiors in their hues and tones transition seamlessly into the exteriors. In addition to views of the white sandy beach and the fourteen kilometer long coral lagoon, they are dominated by generous private pools – each villa has its own.
The treasure Island
Platte Island was only discovered in 1769 and got its name due to its extremely flat profile with the highest elevation at three meters above sea level. It has an area of only 0.578 km2, with most of this area occupied by lush tropical vegetation. This, like the virgin waters of the reef, is a unique scene for observing wild fauna and connecting with the island’s spirit. The main sights while exploring the vast house reef all around the island include sardines, stingrays, manta rays and smaller, harmless shark species. The local underwater meadows are among the most preserved in the Indian Ocean, as is the entire ecosystem of the island.
Waldorf Astoria approaches this exceptional location with due responsibility and plans to strategically protect it; and actively participate in preservation of its purity. "We believe that true luxury is not only about indulgences, but also about fostering a deep human connection with nature. We work closely with internationally recognized universities to deepen our knowledge of the ocean and be at the source of information on the latest developments in sustainability practices. Our goal is to become a resort with zero environmental impact, so we choose very carefully what we do and how we do it," outlines the central philosophy Elias Pertoft, General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island.
Spa, unique experiences and fine dining
In addition to fifty lavishing villas with an accommodation capacity of one to five bedrooms, Platte Island guests can also enjoy six refined restaurants and bars led by the experienced hand of Australian chef Jane-Therese Mulry, a kids & teenage club, an open-air cinema, tennis courts and a spa with a sophisticated therapeutic menu. However, the primary attraction of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is the embracement of the seaworld in form of vast range of water activities, such as kitesurfing, diving, field excursions with marine biologists, ocean safari on a sailboat or sporty fly fishing.