Located 55 kilometres northeast of Mahé, the capital city of Seychelles, is the private island of Félicité. Situated on its northern tip is Six Senses Zil Pasyon, a secluded space that embraces and celebrates its surroundings, while offering the finest in creature comforts.
Félicité is one of the most dramatically beautiful isles in the 115-island nation. its hilly landscape is defined by massive granite boulders interspersed with lush vegetation and picturesque beaches. The islands of Grande Soeur, Petite Soeur, La Digue and the relatively developed Praslin are its neighbours.
Occupying around one-third or 652 acres of Félicité’s landmass, Six Senses Zil Pasyon is the sole resort on the island. The rest of the island is dedicated to the Ramos National Park, part of the Seychelles’ Marine Protected Area. As a result, Six Senses Zil Pasyon offers exceptional seclusion and serenity. Félicité’s standout feature, however, is that it is one of the few places in the world where hawksbill turtles feel safe enough to come ashore to lay their eggs in daylight.
The property that now houses Six Senses Zil Pasyon was once the private residence of Abdullah of Perak, an exiled Malaysian sultan. The transformation of the property into a Six Senses resort began in 2013, under the expertise of the London-based architecture and design firm Studio RHE, known for its sustainable, bold and innovative concepts.
Accommodation
The resort’s 35 accommodations and spa are set amongst the ocean-front rocks of the island. The architecture, a modern interpretation of the indigenous style, allows it to blend seamlessly with the lush tropical landscape while ensuring complete privacy between each building.
The spacious interiors are minimalist and contemporary. Floors covered in local Balau wood create a sense of cosy opulence. The soothing palette of blues, whites and browns blends the interior space with the views outside. The accommodations have generous openings, fronted in glass, that heighten the sense of location. The bathrooms feature amenities by Organic Pharmacy.
Of the 35 accommodations offered at Six Senses Zil Pasyon, 28 are one-bedroom pool villas of various sizes and layouts. However, each has a private infinity pool with a submerged bed, and a generous external deck with sunbed, sun chairs and dining table. Some are located high on a hillside while others are closer to the ocean. Some even have a private garden with an outdoor shower.
There are two family-friendly two-bedroom pool villas. They offer two opposing bedrooms – each with a walk-in closet and bathroom – separated by a common living area. They also offer a private infinity pool with a sunken bed and a larger external deck, on which are multiple sun loungers and a family-sized dining table. These villas are located close to the beach and the main public area, and are surrounded by tropical vegetation that adds to the sense of seclusion.
The Seascape Three-Bedroom Residence, the Sanctuary Four-Bedroom Residence and the Ocean Sounds Four-Bedroom Residence are duplex hilltop accommodations that appear to have been carved out of the rocks thanks to their black granite cladding.
In all three Residences, the master bedroom is on the upper floor, while the other bedrooms, living room, and gourmet kitchen are on the lower floor. The master bedroom opens onto a deck with a personal pool, which has a Plexiglas floor that allows natural light to filter into the living space below. The latter leads to an external terrace with a larger infinity-edge pool.
Some of the standard amenities offered at the residences include a dedicated butler service, a chef, a housekeeper, and access to a private beach. Guests also have access to the in-house wellness services, which include screening, sleep tracking, massage, yoga, and meditation sessions.
Dining
The six food and beverage venues at Six Senses Zil Pasyon explore the richness of Seychellois cuisine, reflecting the cultures that have contributed to the indigenous culture – African, Chinese, French, English, Indian and Seychelle Creole.
Island Café offers breakfast, lunch and dinner inspired by the flavours of the Seychellois spice route, a cuisine fusing European, Asian and African fare. Drinks and snacks are served throughout the day in an open lounge. Highlights include a coffee menu, signature cocktails and a Deli board.
The Wine Cellar serves a private fine dining experience for two, or as many as eight, set among diverse varietals in the cellar. The experience includes regular wine tastings hosted by the master sommelier. The Chef’s Kitchen offers a live cooking table for up to six guests who can interact with the chef as dinner is prepared.
Ocean Kitchen is a wellness-inspired venue serving dishes created using fresh local seafood and seasonal organic produce sourced from the island’s organic garden and local farmers. Lakanbiz is a traditional bar featuring a selection of exclusive spirits and Cuban cigars. Koko Bar is the resort’s in-pool beverage venue located beside the ocean, serving drinks and refreshments throughout the day.
Spa
The Six Senses Spa at the resort is perched atop and between towering boulders, and offers a wide range of holistic wellness, rejuvenation and beauty treatments administered under the guidance of expert therapists and visiting practitioners.
The spa facilities include five independent twin-bed treatment villas with relaxation areas, a welcome lounge with retail area and nail bar, sauna and steam rooms, a yoga and meditation pavilion and an elevated open-air saltwater infinity pool with a sundeck. Nearby, a modern gym features cardio equipment, weights machines and functional training elements suitable.
The holistic treatments are inspired by local and African remedies based on the medicinal properties of the local fauna and flora. The spa uses quick and non-invasive smart-tech to analyse key biomarkers. These readings, along with a personal consultation, are used to design a bespoke treatment or a multi-day program.
A highlight from the treatments menu includes The Ocean Journey – a revitalizing body and mind treatment that combines aromatherapy, acupressure and reflexology with hot and cold massage techniques using crystal balls and the signature Terres d’Afrique tri-touch tool. Ubuntu is a a series of couple’s treatments including steam, meditation, healing with crystals, massage and an aromatherapy bath.
Activities
The resort offers an array of activities that can be combined to curate a bespoke experience, whether one prefers to be active or simply relax and immerse one’s self in the stunning environment. Water sports activities include diving, snorkelling, kayaking and standing paddleboard. The Seychelles archipelago is an outstanding destination for hand-line fishing or deep-sea fishing.
Guests can also hop on a boat and enjoy a scenic ride to and around the neighbouring islands. Vallée de Mai, on the nearby Praslin Island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a natural palm forest that includes the endemic species coco de mer, the largest nut in the world. La Digue, the smallest of the three main inhabited islands in the region, is ideal for a bicycle tour, the only conveyance on the island. Félicité has three walking trails through its natural tropical forest, and the island’s high point is only an hour away from the resort.
For a more relaxed pace, the resort offers cooking classes headed by the resort’s chefs. Here, guests learn how to prepare local dishes using fresh seafood and produce. Cinema Paradiso presents classics on the big screen under the stars. The resort also features the Grow With Six Senses children’s club for children between four and 12 years of age.
Félicité’s location just south of the equator means it has consistently warm tropical weather, making it an ideal year-round destination. The journey to the Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort begins with an arrival at the International Airport in Mahé. Guests can then take a scenic 20-minute helicopter flight from Mahé to the resort. Alternatively, guests can fly to the domestic airport on Praslin Island, and then take a 20-minute speedboat trip to Félicité.
