The 652-acre (263-hectare) Félicité Island is one of the most dramatically beautiful and unspoiled islands of the 115-island nation that is the Seychelles. With massive granite boulders fringing the shoreline and picture perfect beaches it is the island’s dramatic beauty will that make it the perfect location for the new Six Senses Zil Pasyon opening in the fall 2016.
The 30 villa Six Senses Zil Pasyon occupies just one third of the island’s land total – the rest is left to the beauty of nature and wildlife. The resort includes 30 villas plus 17 private residences. There will also be six distinctive dining and bar venues on the island, sport and leisure facilities, three pristine sandy beaches and an outdoor main pool. A highlight of any Six Senses resort is of course the Six Senses Spa which will feature nearly 7,000 square feet (650 square meters) of spa space spread over 19,000 square feet (1,765 square meters) of towering rocks, boulders and oceanfront. The resort also features the Trouloulou Kid’s Villa, an interactive camp just for children between 4 and 12 years old.
Drawing upon the Six Senses perspective of providing innovative and extensive facilities wedded to environmental responsibility, the resort has been designed to embrace the untouched picturesque landscape of the island. Designed by Six Senses Architecture and Design team and Richard Hywel Evans of Studio RHE in London, the resort features contemporary architecture and interiors that perfectly complement the island environment.
The resort’s architecture features uniquely attractive and comfortable spaces that appear to have evolved naturally as a collection of structures or a ‘village’ that is true to the island setting. An intentionally restrained base palette of stone, timber, tile and fabric is used to reflect the natural surroundings of weathered rock, petrified timber, vibrant vegetation and rare orchids. Moments of dynamic expression and exuberance are then created through the controlled use of color, art, fabric, furniture and movement.
The inspiration for the interior design again draws on the island’s natural assets to create spaces and moods that rest in harmony with their place. The lines are clean and simple, creating a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor. The furniture and fittings have all been carefully selected to complement the landscape and vividly-colored flora and fauna. There are unsurpassed vistas of the ocean and surrounding islands from the higher points on the island. Into this setting nestles the villas.
Villas
Each villa offers great privacy, embraced by tropical vegetation and spacious grounds and most importantly unsurpassed vistas of the ocean and a private infinity pool. The 28 one-bedroom pool villas and two (2) two-bedroom pool villas range from 2,150 square feet (200 square meters) to 5,380 square feet (500 square meters). Villa exteriors feature the subtle grains of balau timber with wooden shingle roofs. Exposed wooden beams feature in the living area’s vaulted ceiling in each villa, while fully operational bow windows expand and immerse guests into raw nature or when closed, create a personal climate-controlled environment. Each villa has a large private sun deck and outdoor dining area as well as a private wine cellar and ice machine. As with every Six Senses resort, each villa will have its own Guest Experience Maker (GEM).
Spa
Six Senses Spa Zil Pasyon introduces contemporary architecture to the island and through its materiality, texture and form will accentuate the island’s natural geography. Combined with the integration of sustainable processes and technologies, it is designed to become an integral part of the island’s ecosystem, to offer guests a symbiotic experience of Félicité’s environmental and built features. The spa includes five individual villas for treatments, hammam, sauna, saltwater pool, steam, yoga platform and nail bar and will provide innovative ancient holistic treatments from in-house experts and regular visiting wellness practitioners.
Restaurants and Bars
Dining and drinks at Six Senses Zil Pasyon runs the gambit of relaxed sophistication and memorable experiences with its six bar and dining options. The Village is the setting for Island Café, a destination-dining locale. Offering breakfast and dinner inspired by flavors from the Seychellois spice route, this is a melting pot of European, Asian and African fare. Drinks and snacks are served throughout the day in an open lounge and includes a coffee parlor, signature cocktails and tiffin-box menu. This is also the home of the Chef’s Kitchen, where just a handful of guests interact with the chef as dinner is prepared.
The upper floor of the Island Café, Lakanbiz, presents a selection of flavored and aged rums while The Wine Cellar features an impressive collection of labels from the old and new worlds. It’s the perfect place for a private fine dining experience for two or as many as eight; the venue will also include regular wine tastings hosted by the master sommelier.
Beside the water’s edge is the ‘no meat’ Ocean Kitchen, where the catch of the day is but one of the amazing seafood dishes on the menu. Located next to the pool is the Koko Bar. In addition, every villa offers a variety of dining settings with wonderful views, while numerous magical destination dining venues can be organized around the island.
Activities
The resort’s main swimming pool is set at the water’s edge where the ocean’s waves break over a rock wall. There are also three white sand beaches to choose from and the chance to swim with turtles. Other activities include Trouloulou – the kids’ villa with a two-story tree house and archeological sand pit; cooking classes; indoor screening room, signature outdoor Cinema Paradiso and library. There is also Boulodrome – a petanque court and Laboutik which will sell select designer clothing, swimwear, local artwork and home décor. Something unique will be the island’s numerous scenic and inspirational walking trails which vary in length from 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) to 4 miles (6.4 kilometers).
The resort’s Experience Center has all the equipment that is required for exhilarating water activities, including dive excursions around the island plus snorkeling, sailing, kayaking and standing paddleboard. Six Senses host can arrange private fishing trips and visits to neighboring islands by boat such as hiking in the Coco de Mer Valley or climbing to the top of the hill to Sunset Point for magnificent twilight experiences. Other highlights include cycling on La Digue, the smallest of the three main inhabited islands and guided tours of the Vallee de Mai, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Praslin National Park.
Getting there
The resort is located 30 nautical miles northeast of Mahe. Guests reach the island via a 20-minute helicopter journey or a 90-minute boat trip.
