Where to stay in the Seychelles

North Island

What's so special?

Thanks to its exclusivity and great service, North, as it is known locally, has attracted visits from royalty (the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have holidayed there), among other members of the rich and famous. "Designed to make the most of the stunning natural environment, North offers the ultimate in romance, superb beaches, watersports and immaculate service," says Tim Ecott in The Daily Telegraph.

How they rate it

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The colonial-chic style of the bedrooms can "occasionally seem fussy in this utterly natural setting", says Ecott, "but the linens are the highest quality and the villas are huge". If you are on your honeymoon, ask for Villa 11, "designed specifically for romance". All villas have their own plunge pools and face directly onto the beach.

The menu

You can have your meals in the communal piazza, your villa, or even on the beach. Dishes are based on whatever fresh ingredients are available to the chef.

The cost

Standard villas cost from £2,000 a night; Villa 11 from £3,215 a night (per person, full board and some activities included). See www.north-island.com; 00 248 4 293 100.

Enchanted Island

What's so special?

One of the latest openings in the Seychelles, Enchanted Island is a private island resort thatis just five acres in size (roughly the size of two Trafalgar Squares). The island is a former leper colony that has been carefully converted into a luxury resort. The owners "took great pains to ensure no coral was harmed in the building not a tree was uprooted; not a boulder rolled from its natural resting place".

How they rate it

Each of the ten villas has its "own infinity pool jutting out above the shore, and huge waterside terraces, with walkways leading down to the beach", says Laura Fowler in Cond Nast Traveller. It's all very private indeed, the large bathtubs sit out in the open, "on a deck of their own... overlooking the sea". There's no need to worry about being spotted, "except by passing yachts". There is a spa and "low-impact watersports, such as snorkelling and kayaking".

The menu

The Bounty Restaurant serves up contemporary international dishes you can choose to eat in the restaurant, in your own villa, or on the beach.

The cost

Prices start from £475 per night on a bed-and-breakfast basis, or £580 for full board. You can findout more by visiting www.jaresortshotels.com, or by calling 0800-0159 708.

Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.