Why Go?
Constance Ephelia is for those seeking a sandy-toed fly-and-flop honeymoon, with a dose of Seychelles charm and plenty of activities both for calm seekers – and the more adventurous.
Honeymoon Style
Attracting couples from all over the world, this vast resort is the one to book for total relaxation without having to set foot elsewhere as it’s home to the biggest spa in the Indian Ocean.
Set The Scene
Set in 250 acres of gardens, mangroves and forest, there is so much on offer here, including rock climbing, zip lining, mangrove kayaking, water sports galore and cooking classes. It’s also home to two of the prettiest beaches in Mahé – North Beach is particularly special as it’s very calm and sheltered, with gentle waters all year round while South Beach is surrounded by striking soaring mountains. Couples checking in for their honeymoon can expect little extras such as a cute beachbag on arrival, champagne on ice, room decoration with petals and an all-important voucher for the spa.
Rooms
There are over 300 rooms, suites and villas dotted across this beachside resort. For honeymooners, the Hillside 1 bed villas are perfection. Nestled amid the rockface and surrounded by tropical greenery, they offer total seclusion and a wrap-around terrace complete with a private pool with incredible sea views. Inside, they feature a generous living space, an open-plan bedroom and bathroom with freestanding bath (plus a refreshing alfresco shower). The bed is placed in the centre of the room, where, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, you can gaze upon the magnificent vista. Hillside dwellers will also be given the keys to their very own golf buggy for whizzing around the resort. If sandy toes are more of a priority, the beach villas are equally special – or you can book a junior garden suite, situated next to one of the communal pools. For families, the two-bedroom villas have their own private pool and luxuries such as a steam room. Interiors are modern throughout, with a classic colonial influence.
Food & Drink
There are five beachside restaurants offering an array of tempting cuisines. Seselwa serves up local delicacies, and has a Creole fiesta once a week where a local band pitches up with lively dancers who parade around the tables. Helios specialises in Italian cuisine, try the gambas linguine and fillet of beef, followed by indulgent tiramisu. For a special occasion, guests can book a table at Cyann, a fine-dining restaurant with French finesse that’s also home to a sushi bar with open counter. For wine lovers, there’s an enormous cellar with 1,500 varieties from all over the world. A true highlight is Kabana, a vibey beach bar with tables on the sand and sunbeds on the beach. The picturesque wooden bar is surrounded by lanterns that sway softly from the trees, and serves a vast array of chic cocktails and tasty tapas (try the red snapper ceviche and palm heart salad). This is the spot for romantic sundowners at golden hour – as mellow house music plays, indulge in a signature pina colada served with fresh polenta chips. Breakfast is served at the main restaurant, Adam and Eve, or you can opt for a floating breakfast in room (if you have a private pool). For honeymooners, a Creole candlelit private dinner can be set up on the beach and guests can also enjoy cooking classes in Creole, French or Japanese cuisine.
The Story
The hotel is situated in a truly unique location, between two Seychelles landmarks, Port Launay Marine National Park and the Port Launay Mangrove Wetland Nature Reserve. The land that Constance Ephelia proudly occupies was originally a coconut plantation, which is still evident today with its many soaring coconut palms. In more recent history, it was an abandoned boarding school, until the hotel was built between 2008 and 2010. Every effort was made in the construction stage to not disturb the wildlife and ecosystems – even today, sunbeds aren’t positioned too close to the shoreline on south beach.
Family-Friendly
The Kids Club is next level here, not only does it have an abundance of toys and activities, it has its own swimming pool with mini sunbeds and offers crab feeding, movie nights, treasure huts and more. At 3.30pm every day, children can feed the resident giant tortoises, garnered to be a holiday highlight. There are also lots of fun activities beachside, swings for little ones and table tennis for the bigger kids. And in room, you can expect all the amenities you require and more.
Spa
Home to the largest spa in the Indian Ocean, this is a great place to come to unwind from wedding hecticness. There are 18 treatment rooms situated around the main serene pool area (four dedicated to couples), all built in traditional Seychelles style with palm-thatched roofs shipped from nearby Praslin. Cobbled pathways lead through mature gardens and soaring palms, there’s a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and cold pool. Book the Couples Connect, a signature 90-minute treatment, with a private rose-petal bubble bath, fruit platter and cocktails made with local Takamaka rum. Massages using traditional Seychelles techniques are enhanced with oils made locally, you’ll also find Sisley options on offer. All treatments start with a refreshing foot bath and finish with three gentle chimes. There’s a vast treatment list, and treatments can be bespoke so they’re tailored to your needs.
Eco-Friendly
It’s clear from the moment you check in that sustainability is at the heart of Constance Ephelia – from the well-cared for tropical surrounds to the dedicated Green Guide brochure in room. The hotel was the first Green Globe certified hotel in the Seychelles (since 2014) and is setting the bar high for eco practices. It has also been awarded the Seychelles sustainable tourism label since 2012 for its impressive efforts. The hotel creates renewable energy, and uses photovoltaic panels. It also has its own bottling plant, so no plastic bottles are used on site. It supports the local community and celebrates its rich culture by involving locals in environmental projects and sports activities and is mindful of the social welfare of locals and any impact the hotel may have. Lastly, the hotel is home to the Port Launay wetlands, which are the most untouched mangrove on the island, with thriving ecosystems and plentiful wildlife. There is a sustainability manager on site at all times, ensuring that eco practices are adhered to.
Location
Constance Ephelia is located in the north of the main island of Mahé. It’s 40-minute scenic drive through the mountains from the international airport. The capital, Victoria, is a 30-minute drive away for those wanting to experience local life. To make a stay extra memorable, couples can helicopter in or enjoy a scenic trip from the hotel’s helipad.
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