The MAIA is one of the most spectacular hotels in the Seychelles. The exclusive retreat with just 30 luxurious villas measuring around 250 square meters in the southwest of the island of Mahé.
Surrounded by 12 hectares of flowering, multi-award-winning gardens, the resort & spa offers guests the greatest possible privacy in the midst of nature. In addition to numerous tropical palm species, cashew nuts, lemongrass, aloe vera, lilies and cinnamon trees grow here. A variety of exotic and endemic birds call MAIA their home and give guests a free concert at sunset.
Situated on a small, exposed peninsula, the villas blend into the natural surroundings. They are located directly on the beach or slightly elevated on the grounds. Each villa offers an unobstructed 180 degree view of the Indian Ocean.
The American architect and interior designer Bill Bensley, Bensley Design Studios, is responsible for the architecture of the resort. He is considered one of the world’s top 100 hotel designers. The open-plan villa concept, consisting of a semi-open bathroom area with access to an outdoor bathtub set into a low infinity pool and a spacious terrace with swimming pool, covered dining area and king-size day bed, allows for relaxation close to nature. The villas with oversized windows and sliding doors and glazed indoor showers are also flooded with light – blurring the boundary between outside and inside. Whether from the bathroom, the covered terrace or the bedroom – the sea view is part of it.
Dark stone from Bali, fine teak furniture and floors, the finest Asian silk and cotton fabrics, framed black and white photographs with scenes from the everyday life of the Seychellois and warm, bright color accents define the interior. Modern extras in the villas include iPods (hire on request) and iPod docking stations, CD and DVD players, flat-screen TVs, a Nespresso machine and a “Beauty Fridge” with products from the exclusive La Prairie skincare range.
A wide stone staircase leads down to the spacious swimming pool with large sun deck, the gourmet restaurant Tec-Tec and the Sunset Pool Bar. Shielded by an imposing black stone wall, reminiscent of an Asian temple with its water features, and protected by large granite rocks and natural vegetation, the pool, restaurant and bar form the heart of the resort. It is only a few steps from here to the sea.
The three open-plan, spacious spa pavilions offer couples and individual treatments with a view of the garden, accompanied by the gentle sound of the waves and birdsong. A team of therapists from Bali, specially trained by the American spa expert Susan Stein, pampers those seeking relaxation here with a selection of massages, facial treatments, body wraps, baths and much more. Products from the fine La Prairie skincare range are used. One of the signature treatments is the “Gentle Soul Massage”.
In addition to free snorkeling, kayaking or canoeing, the tailor-made leisure offer also includes diving, half-day or full-day excursions to the neighbouring islands of La Digue, Parslin and Coco Island, deep-sea fishing and helicopter flights over the picturesque scenery of the Seychelles.
Very Important Kids” – children are a top priority at the MAIA. The V.I.K. program includes a wellness taster, a treasure hunt in the garden and on the beach, painting courses and a canoe trip.
Chef André Chiang, who was born in Taiwan, conjures up Mediterranean dishes with Asian-Creole accents in the gourmet restaurant Tec-Tec. He combines the influences of different cooking cultures in a varied and imaginative way. André Chiang has more than ten years of professional experience in Michelin-starred restaurants. Among others, he has worked in France with three-star chefs Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, Pierre Gagnaire, who also holds three Michelin stars, and Joel Robuchon, celebrated as the chef of the century.
Romantic dinners or barbecues on the beach as well as candlelight dinners in your own villa make for an unforgettable experience for two.
Guests and their individual wishes and needs are the focus at MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa. The small, almost family-like size of the hotel and motivated and trained staff from all over the world, who naturally live the service concept, make this possible.
The service motto is: “One villa, one butler”. He looks after the guests around the clock during their stay and gives them the attention they want. The butler is the contact person for all questions. He organizes a boat trip, takes care of laundry, rooms and luggage, serves dinner in the villa or arranges a romantic candlelit bath. The resort’s employees are its capital. The guiding principle is: “People who are cared for also like to care for others”. This makes the service at MAIA unique.
A coconut serves as a “Do not disturb” sign in the MAIA. Anyone who hangs these on the front door of their villa is guaranteed undisturbed peace and quiet.
The resort also has attractive offers for newlyweds. They include free spa treatments, a four-course candlelit dinner, a romantic bath in your own villa including a bottle of champagne and much more!