Review: Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort

Luxury Travel Expert

1 year ago

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

I recently enjoyed a wonderful holiday in the Seychelles with the Hilton Hotel Group. You can read my trip reports here:

Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 787-9 Business Class from Frankfurt to Doha
Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Business Class from Doha to the Seychelles
Review: Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island
Review: Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Review: Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort (today)
Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Business Class from the Seychelles to Doha
Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 787-9 Business Class from Doha to Frankfurt

Today: Review of Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort

Hotel website: Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort
Location: Google maps

Situated in the south of Mahé, Canopy by Hilton Seychelles is the Canopy brand’s first resort property in the world, blending local flair with contemporary charm to deliver a 4-star superior getaway for families and adventure seekers alike. A short drive from the Jardin du Roi (Spice Garden), and set along Anse à la Mouche beach known for its shallow and calm seas, the 120-guest room resort draws inspiration from its surroundings to offer an authentic guest experience – from the stylishly designed rooms infusing elements of the locality to the tranquil spa, food and drink offerings.

Have you ever stayed at Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube video):

Pros & things I like
Cons & things to know
My verdict
Tips for future guests & save money
Best time to visit
How to get there
Photos

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Located on the southwest coast of the Seychelles’ main island, Mahe, Canopy by Hilton Resort is part of a new area of development, with the surrounding structures being a mix of other hotels, apartments and businesses. The seafront hotel harmoniously coexists with the surrounding private residences, fostering a balanced mix of tranquil retreat and lively urban vibes. The resort is a 30 minute drive from Seychelles International Airport and a great base from where to explore Mahé Island. The property also offers its guest bicycles to explore the surrounding areas (something that I loved and made use of during my time at the property).

Drawing inspiration from its breathtaking surroundings, Canopy by Hilton Seychelles is designed by DSA Africa. The resort’s architecture takes inspiration from the practical architectural style of Seychelles’ colonial past, which is characterized by large double doors and windows combined with pitched roofs. Upon entering the resort’s grand lobby, guests are welcomed into a space that exudes modern elegance. The lobby’s interior is characterized by a vibrant color palette inspired by the island’s landscapes – ranging from the deep terracotta of sun-drenched sands to the vivid blues and greens of the ocean and lush vegetation.

Canopy by Hilton Seychelles features a convenient layout, with all hotel facilities housed in several connected pavilions in a semi-circular shape. The airy lobby with its reception and concierge area is located at the center of the resort. From here, a majestic staircase descends to the ground-floor, which is home to the all-day dining restaurant Avocet (more on that later). All resort wings embrace an expansive courtyard which is home to the resort’s pool area, bar, towel station as well as several sport facilities. The imposing resort building, including its entire pool area, enjoys a sea-front setting and offers direct beach (a public promenade is located between the resort and the beach though).

Canopy by Hilton Seychelles is set along Anse la Mouche, a long & curved north-west facing bay with a white sand beach which is located in the south-west of Mahé, with sweeping views of the western Seychelles’ coastline. The beach boasts stunning scenery as well as farms and various smallholdings. Due to its accessibility, Anse la Mouche is quite popular, but there is plenty of room for everyone to find a spot to relax, either on the sand or under one of the trees that line the beach. The sparkling bay features incredibly calm, shallow water which is perfect for swimming (even for families with young children). In addition, several forms of water recreation are offered by the hotel.

Canopy by Hilton Seychelles offers 120 locally inspired guestrooms. The rooms are designed with a minimalist elegance, featuring clean lines and a restrained color scheme that highlights the rich textures and materials used throughout. Central to the rooms’ interior design is the bespoke canopy headboard, a signature feature for the Canopy brand, crafted with inspiration drawn from local black pearls and traditional weaving techniques. This headboard serves as a focal point in the rooms, and combined with custom lighting fixtures, adds a refined touch. All rooms also include a bathroom with a walk-in shower, open closets and other amenities, like Canopy slipper socks and Nespresso machines.

Canopy by Hilton Seychelles offers a unique blend of local and contemporary art, which aims to tell a story of Seychellois culture. The walls of the hotel lobby and reception areas are adorned with the expertise and artwork of local artists, curated by Michael Arnephie’s art gallery in collaboration with Gerhard Buckholz, Egbert Marday, Nigel Henri, Alcide Libanotis, George Camille, and Ronald Scholastique. The colorful paintings and sculptures aim to impress visitors, and give the resort a unique experience, adding a touch of local flair.

At the heart of the Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort is an expansive pool area, which is located between the beach and the hotel pavilions. The pool area is more or less divided in two areas, which are separated by a palm tree lined promenade and a water pond. One half of the pool area caters more to families with younger children as it features a shallow kids pool as well as a playground for children and teenagers. The other half of the pool area features a very large and attractive swimming pool. The pool is surrounded by plenty of sun loungers as well as a few cabanas which are set back slightly. Facilities at the pool include a bar (Sega Bar) as well as a towel hut (where guests can redeem the towel card they receive at check-in, with one towel per guest).

Currently, Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort offers two restaurants & bars:
- Avocet serves an indulgent breakfast spread as well as à la carte French and Creole fusions for lunch and dinner. Evening experiences feature enticing entertainment options.
- Fun meets the spirit of Seychelles’ traditional Sega dance at Sega Bar, a great pool-side spot to lounge and enjoy a dip overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

Guests can relax and rejuvenate at the resort’s wellness center, called Afloya. Located next to the main lobby in separate compound, Afloya described itself as a “symphony of natural beauty framed by the mangroves that surround the property”. The ethos of the spa centers around the connection to nature, and tranquil relaxation through the elements and restorative power of natural botanicals. Drawing inspiration from local elements, the spa’s therapies meld Seychelles’ untouched beauty with groundbreaking relaxation practices. Those who wish to stay in shape during their stay can also work up a sweat at the resort’s modern fitness center or enjoy water sports activities at the beach.

Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort is just on of the seven hotels that the Hilton Hotel Group manages in the Seychelles, the other ones being:

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort is a modern and stylish hotel managed by Hilton’s Canopy brand. The latter is generally positioned as a mass-market four star brand for family-fun seeking, eco- and budget-conscious travelers who want to stay in hotels with a bit of personality. In that regard Canopy by Hilton Seychelles – the Canopy brand’s first resort property in the world – ticks all the boxes (and even exceeds expectations in many aspects). However, this is not a 5-star luxury hotel but rather a 4-star superior resort, which is reflected by its affordable room rates. IMHO, Canopy by Hilton Seychelles a great alternative for similar resorts on Mahé Island, such as Constance Ephelia, Kempinski Seychelles Resort, and Avani Barbarons

I spent one night at Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort following my stay at Waldorf Astoria Seychelles (since that better fitted my international flight schedule) and I truly enjoyed my stay. Some things felt great and even luxurious, such as the warm welcome by the reception staff upon arrival, the welcome amenities in the room (fruits, snacks, and even a bottle of wine) and the possibility to use bikes for free to explore the hotel’s surroundings. However, some hotel policies clearly catered to mass tourism, such as the use of towel cards in the pool area (which one towel per guest in an attempt to keep unused loungers around the pool available). Again, it’s just a matter of setting your expectations right.

Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort is located along Anse La Mouche. The latter is a beautiful beach although it is not in same league as the incredible white sand beaches that the Seychelles is known for. Also keep in mind that the hotel has no beach club on Anse La Mouche (except for a few loungers places under the trees). That said, the property is only a 10 to 20 min drive from some of the Seychelles’ most spectacular beaches, such as Anse Intendance, Anse Soleil and Anse Takamaka (but you’ll need your own rental car or a taxi to get there).

Currently, Canopy by Hilton Seychelles has just one restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, so dining options are limited. A second restaurant – called Palem – will open though later this year and will offer guests a seaside and Asian inspired dining experience, with flavors from Indonesia, Thailand, and China and featuring locally crafted cocktails.

I had mixed feelings about the food offerings at Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort’s single restaurant. The breakfast buffet was truly a great spread, and included a fresh orange juice machine, prosecco, plenty of fresh fruits as well as salads, cold meats, and a variety of cheeses. The buffet was even complemented by a small menu with some egg dishes. However, I was less impressed by my dinner at the same restaurant. The food quality and presentation of the dishes were decent although nothing to write home about. I assume that with the opening of the second restaurant, things may improve a little (and I hope that will happen since the resort has the possibility to position itself as a dining destination on Mahé Island given its central location and space).

MY VERDICT

Location: 8/10
Design: 7/10
Pool: 8/10
Rooms: 8/10
Food: 7/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Wow factor: 7/10
Value for money: 9/10
Overall experience: 7.7 – good

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a hotel like Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort (and/or receive many free perks).

Save money: make use of Hilton’s best rate guarantee. If you find a better rate, the Hilton Hotel Group will honor the lower price and take an additional 25% off the room rate for each night of your stay.

Save money: elite members of Hilton’s loyalty program, Hilton Honors, are well treated, with – amongst other benefits – complimentary room upgrade, early check-in or late check-out, and complimentary breakfast. Click here to read my review of the Hilton Honors program (with pros & cons).

Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The Seychelles is often sold as a year round destination and it is. However there is more chance of bad weather, that is to say rain, from November to March. The transitional months of October and April are excellent for a visit as the oceans are very calm and the weather balmy. During the dry seasons (May to September), it can be windy (causing seaweed on the south or south-easterly side of the islands) with rough seas.

HOW TO GET THERE

Canopy by Hilton Seychelles Resort is a 40-minute drive from Seychelles International Airport (SEZ). Click here for a continuously updated list of airlines that offer direct flights to the Seychelles.