Maia Resort & Spa break

Maia Resort & Spa

Our rating: Deluxe

Rooms

Maia has just 30 villas nestled among the rainforest on the hillside or along the beachfront. Elegant, stylish and luxuriously spacious, with plenty of outdoor and indoor living space, the villas are a perfect place to escape, with many guests spending most of their time at their villas. Screened by the rainforest and well-spaced, they are very private.

All the villas have a private pool, a spacious outdoor living area with thatched roof, an over-sized day bed, sun loungers, sunken outdoor bath and a total of 250 sq m (2,690 sq ft) of space.

Location

Maia Luxury Resort sits on the western coast of Mahé about 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. 

The resort is set on beautiful Anse Louis beach, a gently curving bay of soft white sand framed by lush, granite hillsides at either end. As Maia is the only resort on the beach, it feels very peaceful and private.

The resort feels very secluded although there are a couple of local restaurants and shops within a short drive.

Food and drink

Maia has just one restaurant but five chefs, creating Japanese, Thai, Indian, Mediterranean and Creole cuisine. Dishes are created using the best ingredients, many of which are sourced on the islands.

In keeping with the personal service of the resort, rather than a set menu, guests are encouraged to chat to the chefs who will suggest dishes based on each guest’s personal tastes and the fresh catch of the day.

Families

The resort accepts families, and Signature Villas can accommodate children. There is no kids’ club, but the resort can arrange activities for children.

Facilities and activities

As well as the beachfront pool, there is a range of water sports available at the hotel, including kayaking, snorkeling and stand-up paddle boards while on land there is badminton, croquet, volleyball and a small but modern gym. Meditation and yoga classes are available daily at the spa. Introductory scuba diving is included in your stay at Maia too.

The Balinese style spa has a beautiful setting in the midst of the rainforest near a waterfall. Although there are only three treatment rooms, each is very large with a thatched roof and open sides with curtains that can be pulled across if you prefer more privacy.

Environmental and social responsibility

At present, 60% of the staff at Maia are Seychellois. The aim is to train local people and ensure they also gain from tourism.

During construction of Maia, not one plant was destroyed — the plants that were in the way were replanted elsewhere on the resort.

Local excursions

The hotel can help guests arrange a wide range of activities and tours including boat trips, fishing, scenic flights and hiking.