Located a short helicopter ride from the main islands of the Seychelles, Six Senses Zil Pasyon feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of Mahe or Praslin. From the warm welcome and second-to-none service to the unspoiled rugged island of Félicité, Zil Pasyon offers a Seychellois experience like no other. I had the absolute pleasure of staying on Félicité recently and wanted to quite literally spell out exactly why you should make this your next trip!
Food
One thing Six Senses does so well is food and Zil Pasyon is no exception to this rule. With two restaurants and three bars on the island, all tastes can be catered for no matter what time of day! Island Café is the resort’s main restaurant, serving a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It mixes European, Asian and African flavours and styles. Ocean Kitchen is situated overlooking the sea, serving fish and vegetarian dishes every lunchtime. Creole and lobster nights are Ocean Kitchen’s speciality but be sure to book a table in advance to experience the catch of the day! Six Senses has a real focus on healthy and sustainable living and their menu really reflects this vision. Every morning they have a ‘healthy special’ for you to try – my favourite was the poached eggs, sweet potato and smashed avocado with chili. The absolute dream.
Environment
The Six Senses brand has a passion for caring for the environment and this is really championed at Zil Pasyon. From the Crystal Room on the island where a dedicated team filter and bottle all of the island’s still and sparkling water, to their pledge to remove as much single use plastic as possible; it’s obvious from the beginning of your stay that this island means business. For a new hotel, Zil Pasyon has already made such an impact to Félicité by replanting the natural fauna and flora. They have so far managed to restore a third of the island to its original state and also plan to be one of the first islands to reinstate the Giant Tortoise without an enclosure.
Location
This resort is close to the main islands, yet still feels like an isolated retreat. Sea turtles regularly nest on the beaches around Félicité and there is a marine park right in front of the island which offers some of the best snorkelling in the region. The sustainability team is currently working on replanting and restoring the coral reef as well, so the marine wildlife will only increase! On top of all of this, the island boasts picture-perfect beaches and stunning granite cliffs – romance eat your heart out.
Interior Design
Something that makes Six Senses Zil Pasyon really quite special is their choice of design for their villas. Apart from two Hideaway Villas that are situated amongst lush gardens, all of the accommodation choices look out over the ocean with jaw dropping views and luxurious infinity pools. The rooms are so spacious and tastefully done, with natural woods that blend into the wild surroundings and you even have a rope swing in the bathroom! Showers and baths are taken with a view and of course all of the little Six Senses touches such as flip flops, beach bags and toiletries are there. If wall to wall sunshine is what you desire, Ocean View Villa 7 is in the perfect location to get that much needed vitamin D. If views are more your thing, Panoramic View Villa 18 not only overlooks the crashing sea, but also has one of the best sunrises I have had the pleasure of experiencing.
Champagne on the rocks
If your holiday is for a special occasion, be sure to arrange Champagne on the Rocks at sunset. You will be driven up to the highest point on the island, where you will sit with a luxury picnic and watch the sun go down. It is the perfect place to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or even for a romantic gesture! Other experiences that Zil Pasyon offer guests include a ‘Chef’s Kitchen’ experience, where a small group of you can watch your own personal chef cook your dinner live. It is these unique experiences that I believe really set Six Senses Zil Pasyon apart from the crowd.
Impeccable Service
From the moment you arrive onto Félicité, you become part of the island family. Every single member of staff at Zil Pasyon endeavours to get to know you and your preferences, and your appointed GEM (Guest Experience Maker) will make sure that every element of your stay is coordinated seamlessly. Six Senses triumphs in making all of their guests feel valued, I can guarantee you won’t want to leave such a wonderful team!
Trekking
Twice a week guests can take a complimentary 2-hour morning hike to experience the ‘wild side’ of the island. You will trek into the untouched areas of Félicité with an experienced guide, who will teach you about the history, point out wildlife, fauna and flora, and explain how Six Senses is working on bringing the island back to its former glory. The pièce de résistance is when you get to the highest vantage point – the views are just breath-taking. It is also worth heading a little further to where the Coco De Mer grows, an endangered species of Palm which is endemic to Seychelles.
Escape
Finally, after all of the exploring that Zil Payson has to offer, guests are bound to want some relaxation and you’re in for a real treat. The Six Senses Spa has been designed and built around the granite rocks of Félicité and seamlessly blends into the natural surroundings. Whether you’re having a massage while listening to the crashing waves outside, venturing across the rope bridge to enjoy some morning yoga or even trying out some of the homemade products in the apothecary, a wonderfully authentic escape awaits.
