Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island hotel review: White sands and serene seclusion

As far as tropical islands go, the 1.3km-long isle Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island sits on is up there with the best. Surrounded by crystal-clear Indian Ocean waters, it is reachable via a 20-minute private plane journey from Mahe airport. The five-star resort opened in January and has quickly become a place where well-heeled luxury travellers indulge, drink in picture-postcard scenery and set their clocks to island time. Here, The National ventures to the paradisiacal destination to find out why. A delicious feeling of “this is how travel is supposed to feel” comes over me as the private plane I'm flying in touches down on the runway, which cuts like a scythe through the middle of the island. For those prone to nostalgia, perhaps this is how holidaying used to feel – rare, refined, exclusive – before the mass commercialisation of air travel. Hotel staff gather on the steps of a vast open-plan lobby to wave hello to new arrivals, making me feel like a bold adventurer returning from far-flung travels. Welcome drinks are promptly served in the lobby, which is adorned with thousands of strings of shells draped from ceiling to floor. A reminder (not that it’s needed because there’s barely a place on the 550-metre-wide island from where you can’t see the sea) of the oceanic surroundings. My private butler introduces herself and gives me a brief rundown of the island before showing me into a golf cart and whisking me to my home for the next few days. With the nearest island a boat or plane ride away, the only neighbours I need to concern myself with here are the baby reef sharks that often patrol the shores and the stingrays that burrow into the shallows. Tracts of seagrass just offshore, through which snorkelling is encouraged, teem with marine life, while on the beach, ghost crabs and industrious hermit crabs scuttle to and fro. Conservation measures aimed at protecting both hawksbill and green turtles means spotting them is increasingly common, while some may even be lucky enough to watch them hatching on the beach. Plus, giant tortoises have recently been introduced to the island and will soon be roaming free. I'm staying in a king deluxe room, which sleeps two. There are also villas ranging from one bedroom to five, accommodating four to 10 guests. Each of the 50 rooms and villas, which curve around the south and west sides of the island, has its own private pool and garden filled with verdant local fauna and gently swaying palm trees. Paths lead from the garden directly to the beach a few steps away. Spacious, modern and comfortable with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the outdoor terrace and infinity pool, the room also comes with a swing chair on the deck, which turns out to be the perfect place to read, laze or ponder, not to mention for myriad Instagrammable opportunities. There are indoor and outdoor seating areas as well as sofas, a sizeable bar and a tea and coffee station. A huge bed dominates the sleeping area – there’s also a pillow menu – while through the vast sliding door, a deep freestanding bath is a focal point in the bathroom with its his and hers vanity areas and separate shower and toilet. An outdoor shower provides a quintessential tropical island experience. Out front, white bicycles await for a trip around the island, each with their own individually printed name tag per guest. Service is as good as you would expect on a private island where you have your own butler. Contactable via Whatsapp, they are on hand to answer questions, make reservations or fulfil requests for buggies. Throughout the resort, staff are attentive, remembering not just your name, but things like drink preferences at breakfast. For those who book an all-inclusive package (certainly the easiest way to do it), menus at both the restaurants and in-room are easy to navigate, only showing prices for items that would require an additional fee – everything unpriced is included. Also included is a daily spa treatment, with a selection of massages available. Let’s call it quiet luxury, but without the inherent snootiness the aesthetic label implies. I can do as little or as much as I wish on this island with snorkelling, boat trips, spa visits, tennis, kayaking, gym sessions and more available. There’s also a dedicated kids' club for young visitors, and parents looking for some downtime. Alternatively, I can sit in the pool all day long, interrupted only by the sound of my in-room dining choices arriving. The library at the resort is well stocked with an array of local, modern and classic literature, making it the perfect place to take tea. And when I want to expand my lounging horizons, the vast resort swimming pool, with its in-pool loungers, offers a different view. With six places to dine, Platte Island offers an array of options. La Perle, where breakfast is served, is a buzzy Mediterranean brasserie offering a menu filled with a mix of classics and inventive regional fare. I am unfamiliar with Creole cuisine, but Maison des Epices is a welcome journey out of my culinary comfort zone. The restaurant itself is a heady step back into Creole culture, all open-sided and potted palms. The meat-heavy menu (there are a few vegetarian options) offers a bespoke mix of spices in each dish, with a distinct Creole-Latino fusion served by staff only too willing to explain the ingredients and story. Moulin is more an immersive experience than a restaurant encouraging guests to hang out at the grill, tour the pickle wall and chat with the chefs in between feasting on small plates of inventive, delicious gastronomic art. For sunset drinks, the ideal pre-dinner spot Lalin serves up mixed drinks and Instagram-worthy views. The pristine white beach feels like it belongs to me and me alone, thanks to the small number of guests the resort accommodates. If forced to pick a low, it would be that the chain fence goes up either side of the runway each morning when the plane arrives, meaning a 20-minute-ish wait if heading to or from the spa. Not so much a low as a facet of island life. Get to Lalin at least an hour before sunset to bag the hanging sofa seat and settle back into luxurious comfort while awaiting nature’s big show. The attentiveness of the staff, the white sandy beaches and the awe-inspiring remoteness of this island make the resort a must-visit for dedicated luxury-seekers. Hawksbill Villa from €2,400 ($2,614) per night based on double occupancy, inclusive of breakfast; check-in 3pm, checkout noon; www.hilton.com This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future

Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island hotel review: White sands and serene seclusion

Step off a private plane on to an island that melds modern luxury convenience with the romance of travel's golden age