In today’s world, everyone looks for something different, something new. That is exactly what Fregate Island Private provides. The exclusive island is situated in the Seychelles archipelago. With only 16 Villas, the development has been restricted to ensure that the natural environments are preserved.
// The Location //
Seychelles in general has been relatively unexplored by tourists until recently. Fregate Island is situated in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar and 1,600 kilometres off the coast of Kenya. The entire area consists of 115 islands, one of those being Fregate Island.
From Mahe, the mainland island, Fregate Island is a one hour boat ride or a 20 minute helicopter ride. The view of the crystal blue ocean from above is a moment that you never want to end.
// The Hotel //
The whole island is taken up by the hotel which means that once you arrive everything is taken care of. On arrival the Resident Manager and personal butler are waiting with refreshing towels and a tropical fruit juice.
We were taken to our Villa by golf buggy. Each villa is provided with a golf buggy which is kept at the entrance. On an island like Fregate Island, a golf buggy is needed to make the most of the beautiful terrain. Each of the Villas are spaced apart making it unlikely to see other guests around.
Once you settle it, your personal butler will be happy to take you on a tour of the island. There are 11 kilometres of trails across the island to explore. Therefore, it is worth while having a tour as you can really appreciate how beautiful the island is. From the seven majestic private beaches, to the 5,000 Aldabra giant tortoises that roam the island freely, there is something for everyone.
// The Room //
Each of the spacious villas provide a more conventional luxury, each with stunning private infinity pools, outdoor showers and breathtaking cabana areas over looking the Indian Ocean. It is easy to understand why guests would be happy to never leave their villa.
The villas are furnished with orange and pistachio green decor which seemed a bit old fashioned however against the wood exterior, these colours worked well. Each of the one bedroom villas are separated into three rooms. These being, a dining room, a lounge room and a master bedroom with ensuite. We were lucky to stay in Villa 16 which was a 2 bedroom villa with a second master bedroom separated from the main section of the villa.
Once stepping foot onto the balcony, it becomes clear why you have come to Fregate Island. The view is something very special. Each of the infinity pool’s are very generous in size meaning that there is really no reason to leave the villa at all! A separate jacuzzi sits at the edge of the infinity pool, making for a perfect place to enjoy the sunset.
After settling in, we enjoyed a glass of chilled wine from the house wines in the living room which are included in the cost of the stay as well as some fresh sashimi. We were joined by a few lizards and geckos during our lunch which made us aware that leaving doors open was not an option. One night we even had a millipede join us in the room!
// The Amenities //
While some people may think that there is not enough to do a private island, that is far from the truth about Fregate Island. Whether you wish to enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach or a BBQ candlelit dinner on the beach, the options are endless. We even enjoyed (even though it was raining!) a treehouse breakfast where we enjoyed listening to the sounds of the birds chirping. Where possible, all ingredients used in cooking are grown on site with 80% of products being organic from their own plantation. The head South African Chef allows guests to take a look through the vegetable gardens to see first hand the freshness of the food prepared.
If a large private infinity pool is not enough, there are two large communal pools which are in the main Fregate House building. Additionally the main building is where the primary restaurant is which offers a gastronomic menu with spectacular ocean views. During the day enjoy the beach in front of the communal pool where staff await to cater to your every need.
One morning wake up early to enjoy the early morning light. Take a hike to the top of the hill to appreciate the beauty of the island. After recovering with a fresh breakfast, take the golf buggy around the island to meet some of the friendly Aldabra giant tortoises. Our favourite was Theo who hang out next to the Rock Spa. During our visit there were also a few baby tortoises who were smaller than the size of a hand. They were well taken care of in a private grass area at the spa.
Furthermore, it is also possible to go island hopping to La Digue. You can also take the daily snorkelling tour or book a PADI diving course.
// The Verdict //
We feel extremely fortunate to have been able to visit this incredible hotel. With the unique vegetation around the island as well as the luxurious villas and supreme location, Fregate Island is a dream hotel. From a price point, it may be hard to justify with rooms in excess of $7,000AUD per night. This however includes everything from all meals, laundry and island activities. Since leaving the island, there has not been a day that we haven’t wished we could go back. Thus, hopefully one day we will be back…
X KoTravellers
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