The gateway to Seychelles
While Mahé is the main jumping-off point to Seychelles’ smaller islands, staying here also has some clear advantages.
For one, the range of accommodation is unsurpassed. You can do anything from staying on your own private island with a pool to having your own kitchen in a budget villa high above the beautiful beaches in the jungle-clad hills.
And did we mention that the luxury resorts on Mahé are simply world-class?
Whether you spend all of your time in Seychelles on the island or only stay here at the start or end of your trip (like we did), we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the paradisical possibilities of Mahé.
In this travel guide to where to stay on Mahé, we’ll give you our personal recommendations for the best luxury hotels and budget options that give you great value for your money.
Where to stay on Mahé:
- Budget: Tropical Garden – Budget mountain stay close to the beaches.
- Value for money: Chez Batista Villas – Uniquely direct access to a true beach gem.
- Luxury: Constance Ephelia – One of Mahé’s most popular luxury options with an impressive number of facilities.
Search for the best hotels on Mahé.
Table of contents
Mahé map and geography
Mahé is the largest island in Seychelles, with an area of 157.3 km².
Mahé is around 26 kilometres from north to south and rarely more than 6 kilometres from one coast to the other.
Driving from the northernmost point to the southernmost point of the island takes a little more than an hour.
The highest point of Mahé (and the whole country) is the peak of Morne Seychellois, 905 metres above sea level.
Around 100,000 people live on Mahé (~ 90% of the population of Seychelles). Most people live around the capital Victoria and Beau Vallon in the north.
How long to stay on Mahé
How many nights you should stay on Mahé naturally depends on your travel style, but we recommend four to five nights on Mahé.
This gives you enough time to explore different parts of the island, visit several beaches, hike through the lush interior and experience Victoria without feeling rushed.
If you mainly want to relax on the beach, three days may be sufficient.
However, the island is larger and more varied than it first appears, and travelling along its winding coastal roads can take time.
A longer stay allows you to explore at a slower pace and enjoy both the popular sights and quieter corners.
If Mahé is your only destination in Seychelles, consider staying for a week or more.
You could also divide your stay between two areas, such as Beau Vallon in the north and the quieter western or southern coast. This reduces driving time and lets you experience different sides of the island.
For an island-hopping trip to Seychelles that also includes Praslin and La Digue, allow at least three to four nights on Mahé, ideally at the beginning or end of your journey.
Best area to stay on Mahé
Although Mahé is the largest island in Seychelles, it is still relatively compact.
Most journeys take no more than an hour, and if you stay somewhere central, you can reach much of the island within 30-45 minutes.
That said, the winding coastal and mountain roads mean choosing the right base can still make a difference.
The best area to stay on Mahé depends on whether you want restaurants and activities within walking distance, a quiet beach escape or a practical base for exploring the island.
Below, we’ll introduce the different areas to stay on Mahé and explain who each one suits best.
After that, you’ll find our recommendations for the best luxury hotels on Mahé, along with value-for-money stays and more affordable options.
Search for the best hotels on Mahé here (adlink).
Beau Vallon
Beau Vallon is widely considered the best place to stay on Mahé, and it’s the best all-round choice for most first-time visitors.
The long beach is backed by hotels, restaurants, shops and watersports providers, and the area feels livelier than most other parts of Mahé.
We stayed in Beau Vallon ourselves and loved the beach. It works particularly well for families, travellers without a car and anyone who wants to combine beach days with a little atmosphere in the evenings.
The trade-off is that Beau Vallon is also one of the island’s busiest and most developed areas.
Glacis and the north coast
Glacis and the north coast suit travellers looking for somewhere quieter without feeling completely cut off.
This part of Mahé has smaller beaches and several boutique hotels, while Beau Vallon and Victoria are still within relatively easy reach.
A car is useful, as restaurants and shops are more spread out.
Victoria and Eden Island
Victoria and Eden Island are convenient choices for short stays, particularly if you have an early flight, a ferry connection or only one night on Mahé.
Victoria is the more practical option for exploring the capital, while Eden Island offers modern apartments, restaurants, a marina and small private beaches.
We stayed on Eden Island for a couple of nights before flying to Praslin. Having access to the private beaches felt very exclusive and made it a rather special introduction to Seychelles.
Plan a Seychelles honeymoon across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue with all of our tips
Read morePort Launay and the west coast
Port Launay and the west coast are good choices for beaches, sunsets and resort stays.
This side of Mahé feels quieter than Beau Vallon and offers easy access to several beaches and the forested interior.
It particularly suits couples and travellers who are happy to spend plenty of time at their hotel. Restaurants and shops are more limited, so we recommend renting a car.
Anse Royale and the southeast coast
Anse Royale and the southeast coast offer a more local and often better-value base.
There is a good selection of guesthouses, apartments and self-catering accommodation, along with shops, restaurants and a long beach.
This area works well for independent travellers and families who want everyday conveniences nearby while exploring southern Mahé.
Baie Lazare, Anse La Mouche and the southwest
The southwest is best for travellers dreaming of a peaceful beach escape.
Some of Mahé’s most exclusive resorts are found around Baie Lazare and Anse La Mouche, alongside smaller guesthouses and villas.
Choose this part of the island if you want quiet surroundings, beautiful beaches and slow days rather than lots of restaurants or nightlife. A car is almost essential, and swimming conditions can vary between beaches and seasons.
Best hotels on Mahé
Seychelles’ largest island has it all, including luxurious resorts, romantic honeymoon suites, comfortable apartments and guesthouses with kitchens.
Below, we’ve selected some of the best hotels on Mahé across different budgets.
The best luxury hotels on Mahé
Seychelles is not exactly known as a budget destination, but it certainly knows how to do luxury.
Mahé has everything from large beachfront resorts with several pools and restaurants to smaller boutique hotels beside quieter beaches.
If you are planning to splurge for a few nights, this is a good place to do it.
Some hotels are designed for spending most of your holiday at the resort, while others work well as luxurious bases for exploring the island.
Here are our top choices for the best luxury hotels on Mahé.
Search for the best luxury hotels on Mahé here (adlink).
The best luxury hotels on Mahé:
- Four Seasons Resort – Huge villas right by one of Mahé’s best beaches.
- Constance Ephelia Resort – One of Mahé’s most popular luxury options.
- Eden Island Luxury Accommodation – Centrally located luxurious apartments with access to private beaches.
- Enchanted Island Resort – Stay on a very small private island in the national park.
- Savoy Seychelles Resort – Lots of facilities with direct access to Beau Vallon Beach.
- Anantara Maia – Unique villas with infinity pools.
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
We walked through the 5-star Four Seasons Resort on Mahé to get to Petite Anse Beach and can say with some confidence that this is a really cool place to stay on Mahé.
The beach is surely one of Mahé’s finest, and the private villas look huge for the (still high) price.
Check prices and availability at Four Seasons Resort (adlink).
Constance Ephelia Resort
Constance Ephelia, located near Port Launay on Mahé’s western side, consistently ranks as one of the island’s most revered luxury hotels.
The range of options on offer here is staggering; do everything, and you might never have the chance to leave!
The 5-star resort is home to 5 pools, 5 restaurants, 6 bars, a private beach, a spa and a fitness centre. Each villa has its own garden.
Check prices and availability at Constance Ephelia Resort (adlink).
Eden Island Luxury Accommodation
The best thing about staying in one of the private apartments at Eden Island Luxury Accommodation is that you get unlimited access to the spectacular private beaches of the man-made island.
The next best thing is the free electric buggy you get for your stay, which you can use all over Eden Island.
All of the apartments come with a kitchen, but they vary a lot in size, number of bedrooms and whether there is a pool.
Check prices and availability at Eden Island Luxury Accommodation (adlink).
(It’s also sometimes possible to book the privately owned villas when their owners rent them out. Use our adlink to search for the privately owned villas here.)
Enchanted Island Resort
If you’ve always dreamed of staying on a private island in the tropics, here’s your chance.
Enchanted Island Resort is located on the very small Round Island inside the Sainte Anne Marine National Park.
As if the whole private island with private beaches thing wasn’t enough, all villas also come with a private pool.
Check prices and availability at Enchanted Island Resort (adlink).
Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa – Beau Vallon
Located in the middle of the beautiful Beau Vallon Beach, 5-star Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa offers 163 rooms, 2 pools, 3 restaurants, a spa with fitness facilities and all kinds of services.
We stayed in a lovely double room with ocean views where we slept wonderfully in the king-size bed after our red-eye flight from Istanbul to Mahé.
There was also a minibar, a coffee- and tea-making station, a desk, a table and a sofa in the room as well as a big bathroom with a shower and a bathtub. We especially liked the spacious balcony with views over the resort and the ocean – perfect for a bit of afternoon or evening relaxation.
There’s free wifi all over the resort.
Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa’s fitness centre is well-equipped with a wide array of weights, strength-training machines and cardio machines. It’s open 24/7. Super cool!
Check prices and availability at Savoy Seychelles Resort (adlink).
Anantara Maia
Located on a private peninsula at Anse Louis on Mahé’s west coast, Anantara Maia is known for its unique villas that all come with their own infinity pools.
Check prices and availability at Anantara Maia (adlink).
Our recommendations for five-star beach resorts on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue + private-island pool villas.
Read moreThe best value for money and budget hotels on Mahé
There’s no way around it: Seychelles is an expensive destination.
But that doesn’t mean that you have to blow the budget completely on a comfortable place to stay on Mahé.
One of the best ways to save money on Mahé is to find a place with a kitchen, as eating out can be expensive in Seychelles.
Here are our top choices for value for money and budget accommodation on Mahé.
Search for the best value hotels on Mahé here (adlink).
The best value for money and budget hotels on Mahé:
- Chez Batista Villas – Direct access to a true beach gem.
- La Nature Apartments Au Cap – Private kitchen and A/C at a fair rate.
- Tropical Garden Self Catering – Budget mountain stay close to the beaches.
- Villa Kayola – Self Catering – Close to the airport with small kitchens.
- Anse Soleil Beachcomber – Stay by one of Mahé’s most paradisical beaches.
Chez Batista Villas
With uniquely direct access to Anse Takamaka, staying at Chez Batista Villas is all about the beach!
The comfortable rooms have A/C and private bathrooms, and we can only imagine how nice it must be to catch the sunset from here.
Check prices and availability at Chez Batista Villas (adlink).
La Nature Apartments Au Cap
At a very fair rate, you’ll get a big apartment with a private kitchen and A/C at La Nature Apartments Au Cap.
It’s quite central on the eastern side, so you can easily get to most beaches – especially if you rent a car.
Check prices and availability at La Nature Apartments Au Cap (adlink).
Tropical Garden Self Catering
At Tropical Garden, you’re staying secluded in the Mahé mountains yet still very close to most beaches and attractions on the island. There’s a bus stop close by if you don’t rent a car.
The apartments all come with A/C, your own kitchen, a balcony and more.
Check prices and availability at Tropical Garden Self Catering (adlink).
Villa Kayola – Self Catering
For a convenient location close to the airport, look no further than Villa Kayola. The views from up here are beautiful, yet you’re still close to Anse Aux Pins Beach.
The bright apartments have A/C, balconies and small kitchens, so you’ll be able to cook for yourself while staying on Mahé on a budget.
Check prices and availability at Villa Kayola – Self Catering (adlink).
Anse Soleil Beachcomber Hotel and Self Catering
At Anse Soleil Beachcomber, you have the choice of either self-catering chalets up a hill or rooms with coffee/tea-making facilities just by the beach.
And what a beach!
Anse Soleil is known as one of Mahé’s most paradisical beaches. And as there’s not much else here, you’ll have it almost to yourself.
Check prices and availability at Anse Soleil Beachcomber (adlink).
A practical guide to affordable accommodation, food, transport, activities and island-hopping in Seychelles.
Read moreThe best things to do on Mahé
As the biggest island in Seychelles, Mahé has an almost endless number of things you can do.
For all of the best beaches and activities on the island, check out our full Mahé travel guide with the best things to do and the most beautiful beaches.
Everything you need to know about Mahé Island in Seychelles including what to do, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
Read moreHow to get around Mahé
Rent a car
Driving around Mahé is easy, as all of the main roads are in good condition.
As long as you remember to drive on the left, you’ll be fine.
Parking is free next to most beaches, and we didn’t have any trouble finding a spot.
Most rental cars in Seychelles are automatic.
Public transport
If you don’t rent a car on Mahé or go on private tours, it is still possible to go around the island by bus.
This way you won’t be as flexible, but at least it’s a very cheap way to travel.
You can find the bus timetables for Mahé here.
Private airport transfer
If you wish to travel in comfort on a private transfer between Seychelles International Airport and any hotel on Mahé, you can book your transfer here (adlink).
When to visit Mahé
The weather on Mahé is very similar to the weather on Praslin and La Digue.
Seychelles is a year-round destination, but there are some seasonal weather variations which might be worth knowing about.
The sun almost always shines, and the temperatures consistently hover between 24°C and the low 30s (it very rarely gets hotter than 32°C).
The best time to visit is generally considered the shoulder months of April to May and October to November, when the weather is at its best.
High season is July and August, plus Christmas and New Year in December and January. Autumn is also a popular time to visit.
The warmest months are March, April and May.
The sea breeze is at its strongest between May and October, which isn’t ideal for snorkelling or diving. The best visibility is found during April, May, October and November.
It rains all year (it’s the tropics, after all), but often just in short bursts. The average humidity is 80%.
The southeast trade wind picks up between May and September, while the northwest monsoon blows between November and March. In between, there’s almost no wind.
Mahé very rarely gets hit by tropical storms because the granitic islands lie outside the usual cyclone belt.
The ocean temperature stays between 26°C and 30°C year-round on Mahé.
Tips for visiting Mahé
- There is free wifi in many hotels, but it’s usually not as fast as 4G.
- We can easily recommend buying a SIM card with data for internet access. We bought ours from Airtel. They have shops all over the country.
- Downloading an offline map or carrying a paper one is a good idea, especially when hiking.
- The standard electric plugs in Seychelles are type G (like in the UK). Many hotels have adapters, and some even have standard European plugs (type C) or USB chargers installed.
- Checking the tides is crucial for visiting many beaches and natural pools at their best.
- The tap water is drinkable (on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue as far as we could tell) but doesn’t taste good. Consider bringing a water filter or buying water in 5-litre containers to save money and plastic. A few hotels offer free water refills.
- Bring euros or dollars to easily exchange for Seychellois rupees once you’re in the country. There are many banks where you can exchange money, but they might be closed at weekends, so check the opening hours.
- Credit cards are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants, but some smaller businesses prefer cash, such as takeaway shops.
- Bring a torch or at least a phone with a torch. If you come back from a hike late or leave the beach after sunset, it can come in handy.
Practical advice on entry requirements, island-hopping, costs, transport, beaches, safety and more
Read moreWhat to bring to Mahé
- Travel insurance (adlink). Never travel without it!
- A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
- Sunscreen (adlink).
- Hiking shoes.
- Swimwear and a towel.
- Water and snacks.
What camera, drone and accessories we use to capture life on the road
Read moreSustainable travel tips
A few ways to keep your impact down while you are there:
- Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
- Avoid single-use plastics, including straws.
- Dispose of waste properly. While putting your rubbish in the nearest bin is convenient, wrappers and other small items are easily taken by the wind and end up in the ocean.
- Check your sunscreen before going in the water. Many brands contain oxybenzone and other chemicals that are harmful to coral reefs.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. Leave everything in its natural place.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
- Respect wildlife.
Everything you need to know including the best beaches, hikes & activities, which islands to visit, 1-2 week itineraries and where to stay in Seychelles
Thanks for reading about the best hotels on Mahé
Thanks for reading our travel guide to where to stay on Mahé in Seychelles.
We hope it has helped you find the perfect area and place to stay for your trip, whether you’re looking for a budget place, a romantic honeymoon resort or one of the absolute best hotels on Mahé.
Make sure to also check out our ultimate travel guide to Seychelles with the best things to do, where to go and itinerary ideas.
What do you think about Mahé?
If you’ve stayed on Mahé, it would be great to hear your thoughts and tips in the comments.
If you haven’t been yet, please don’t hesitate to ask us anything. We’re glad to offer tips and share our experiences.
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for hotels and apartments.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- AirHelp for flight delay compensation.
- GetYourGuide for great tours everywhere.
- Airalo for reliable eSIM.
- Discover Cars for transparent car hire.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like True Traveller. Compared here.
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Thank you for the information, very interesting