
This Secluded Island Resort In The Seychelles Is A Culinary Haven
Once a former coconut plantation, the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is more than your average island resort. Incredible natural wildlife sightings are a daily occurrence on the property, often leading guests to spot stingrays bopping in the water along the shores, turtles finding secluded spots to nest amongst the sand and birds chirping from the palm trees. With 50 gorgeous seafront villas with private pools (that each feature a ridge roof in ode to the shell of the Hawksbill Turtle), you can expect to partake in an abundance of nature-focused activities and learn about the incredible eco-friendly partnerships used to conserve the nature around it. However, what really signifies the resort's positioning is Waldorf Astoria's incredible onsite food and beverage programming. The culinary offerings are so intricate that you may just forget that you're on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Once a former coconut plantation, the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is more than your ... More average island resort.
The property, which is a half a square mile in size, has six unique food and beverage spots onsite, each offering unique cuisines and specialties. Each day begins at La Perle, a brasserie that fuses Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. Truffled scrambled eggs and freshly baked pastries are just a few of the highlights. At lunch and dinner, some of the freshest sushi one can eat, alongside comforting pizza and pasta dishes are available.
For more elevated experiences, Maison Des Epices and Moulin take things to the next level. Utilizing a soul-to-soil concept, Maison Des Epices's menu changes often and is based on what produce the restaurant can procure from its own vegetable and herb garden. At the core, each dish focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients that are crafted into tasting menus with incredible wine pairings. The restaurant features mostly, although not exclusively, plant-based menus and uses techniques like fermenting and pickling to maximize harvested produce.
On the other hand, Maison Des Epices blends Creole and Latin cuisine, highlighting traditional recipes and rich flavors. Dishes are crafted using handmade spice blends and techniques like open fire cooking with sustainably sourced wood. The space features tropical interiors, incorporating elements like rattan chairs and potted plants. Within the restaurant, head chef Colvin Beaudoin aims to highlight Latin meats and Creole seafood in dishes such as zourit (caramelized octopus tentacles, papaya chutney and tamarind).
The property is a culinary haven, featuring restaurants that highlight Asian, Mediterranean, Creole ... More and Latin cuisines.
Before indulging in dinner, you shouldn't skip a sunset sunset drinks at Lalin. The oceanfront bar not only has fantastic sea and sunset views, but is also a great viewing spot to see the stars. Named after the Creole word for moon, the bar serves up delicious cocktails alongside an extensive champagne selection.
Poolside bites can be snacked on at Torti, whose bar offers up 37 different varieties of gin, and Peacock Terrace, a spot named after the original location in Waldorf Astoria New York, has some of the best coffee, teas and pastries around. Furthermore, culinary-focused activities like cooking classes, in-villa dining experiences and private dinners (such as beachfront BBQs or floating breakfasts) can also be organized. For such a small island, it's safe to say that the diversity of cuisines, restaurants and bars is special.
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Condé Nast Traveler
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- Condé Nast Traveler
These Cruise Ships Are Bringing the Destination On Board
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Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Inside Forte Village, Sardinia's Ultimate Luxury Resort Destination
Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean behind Sicily, ranks among Italy's most stunning and fascinating destinations. The last of the country's 20 regions to unify with the mainland in 1861, the 9,300-square-mile isle still maintains a notable independent streak. Sardo, the local language, is not an Italian dialect but a distinct Romance language family, preserving many features of Latin lost by other tongues long ago. Age-old traditions endure, like cantu a tenore– traditional shepherds' songs–recognized on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. Giara horses, the only wild horses in Europe, have roamed the island for thousands of years. Forte Village, one of Europe's most unique resorts, spans some 120 acres along Sardinia's idyllic southern coast. Forte Village Meanwhile, Sardinia's beaches–all 1,150 miles of them–are renowned worldwide for their powder-white sands and sapphire-blue waters so limpid they're virtually otherworldly. In the 1960s, these idyllic shores spurred a tourism boom that created the Costa Smeralda ('Emerald Coast') in the island's northeast, now a perennial playground for glitterati from all corners of the globe. But arguably, Sardinia's most intriguing resort lies some 200 miles away, on the island's idyllic southern coast. Comprising some 120 acres of verdant gardens and greenery in the picturesque enclave of Santa Margherita di Pula, Forte Village Resort is a world unto itself, spanning one of Italy's most dazzling stretches of coastline. And given the luxury resort destination's seemingly countless options for compelling ways to while away the blue-skied, diamond days–from world-class dining and wellness to top-tier sports academies, for starters–it's literally impossible to run out of things to do. The resort encapsulates a true world unto itself. Forte Village With four five-star properties (among its eight hotels), more than 40 elegant suites, and 13 ultra-private villas, the sprawling resort offers luxury accommodations to suit virtually every taste, whether steps from the sparkling white sands, or nestled amidst the property's 3,000 varieties of native plant species. An elegant, terracotta-colored palace, Hotel Il Castello presides over a pristine swath of beachfront as the grande dame of Forte Village's five-star offering. Besides amenities including a heated infinity pool exclusively for guests and direct beach access, the hotel recently unveiled a redesigned lobby and bar, Bar Bandiere—a Mediterranean-inspired, soignée spot for an Aperol Spritz or an ice-cold glass of prosecco. The rooftop Real Suite's amenities include a private infinity pool and dazzling vistas for miles. Forte Village Sumptuous suites on the Executive 4th and 5th floors, newly renovated this season, feature private elevator access, dedicated reception, and spacious terraces with sweeping sea views. At more than 1,000 square feet, the brand-new Perla Suite redefines oceanfront opulence with an airy, open-plan layout, two sun-splashed verandas, and bespoke furnishings galore. Those looking for the height of luxury will beeline to the 1,500-square-foot, rooftop Reale (Royal) Suite, which features an 1,100-square foot sun terrace, a private infinity pool and jacuzzi, and panoramic views for miles. The new Perla Suite features an open-plan layout and plenty of outdoor space. Forte Village For a decidedly different ambience, the Villa del Parco & Spa is Forte Village's most tranquil hideaway. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the property is tucked away amidst exuberant verdure steps from the resort's renowned Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa, drawing wellness-focused travelers and discerning couples. Shrouded by tangles of gorgeous greenery, the Villa Parco Hotel & Spa is a perfect hideaway for couples. Forte Village The refurbished Hotel Le Dune exudes beachfront elegance just steps from the shoreline. Its sun-splashed Deluxe Bungalows, newly reimagined this season, feature more spacious interiors and enhanced outdoor areas with private patios surrounded by secluded gardens teeming with foliage. Hotel Le Dune's newly revamped bungalows showcase chic interiors and enhanced gardens. Forte Village And tucked away in a centuries-old pine grove, Hotel Pineta is an oasis for larger families, with double and triple rooms and an enticing, lagoon-style pool that meanders through the lush environs. Speaking of families (and friends), Forte Village's 13 private villas–each with two to four bedrooms, a heated pool, manicured gardens, and 24-hour butler service–are spacious options for multi-generational vacations and milestone celebrations. One of its most luxurious, the two-story Villa Elina, was expanded to four bedrooms this season with the addition of a new suite. The addition of a new suite this season makes Villa Elina one of the resort's largest, most luxurious private accommodations. Forte Village Exceptional Restaurants from Culinary Icons Peerless gastronomy is a cornerstone of Italian culture–a perennial point of pride that Forte Village champions with one of the most dynamic and diverse culinary landscapes in luxury hospitality. The resort operates 21 restaurants during the high season, helmed by more than 100 chefs–including some of the most celebrated icons in the culinary world. Heinz Beck's Beachcomber restaurant offers a master class in seaside elegance. Forte Village Case in point: Heinz Beck–the charismatic maestro behind the iconic La Pergola, Rome's only three-Michelin-starred restaurant–first unveiled his seaside Beachcomber restaurant at Forte Village in 2019, and he's back this summer, personally overseeing operations with his signature aplomb. Overlooking the beach and the cyan sea beyond, the breezy alfresco eatery serves up dishes like barbecued Amberjack with parsnip and Kefir lime, followed by gnocchi with spinach cream, mussels, lemon, and caviar, and washed down with a crisp vintage from a wine cellar stocked with more than 600 premium labels. Tables draped in pastel-hued linens and adorned with fresh flowers amplify a casually elegant ambience that's la dolce vita at its best. Last month saw the opening of Forte Village's newest fine-dining destination: Ristorante da Cracco, a pop-up from Michelin-starred chef and Italian TV personality Carlo Cracco. 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Forte Village A World-Renowned Spa Offering Given its rarefied standing as a locale with wellness literally in its DNA–Sardinia was the first of the world's five Blue Zones to be identified, owing to its outsize population of centenarians, largely concentrated in its mountainous eastern region–it's no surprise that naturally therapeutic resources and world-class spa destinations abound on the island. And Forte Village hosts one of its most renowned. Tucked away inside a four-acre tropical garden, the Aquaforte Thalasso & Spa offers a singular spa experience–led by its patented thalassotherapy circuit– that combines Sardinia's spectacular natural bounty with its age-old traditions. The spa's renowned, six-pool thalassotherapy circuit draws visitors from around the world. Forte Village Sardinia's connection to the healing power of seawater dates back to the island's Nuragic civilization of 1800 BC, which practiced water rituals aligned with lunar and astronomical cycles. The Greeks later embraced this reverence for the sea–'thalassotherapy' is derived from the Greek words thalassa (sea) and therapeia (treatment)—as did the Romans, who established renowned healing hubs like the Terme a Mare , whose footprint remains at the archaeological site of Nora, one of Sardinia's most notable landmarks, located close to Forte Village. The regimen harnesses southern Sardinia's environmental advantages with an innovative circuit of six pools, each a different temperature and concentration of magnesium and sodium salt. Forte Village's unique microclimate, slightly warmer than Cagliari and its surroundings, enhances the seawater's therapeutic benefits, as does its unique constitution: due to its location, the Gulf of Santa Margherita di Pula's waters are shielded from extreme winds, while the ocean temperature never falls below 50 degrees, even in winter. Collected more than 300 feet offshore at depths of nearly 35 feet, the water undergoes a treatment process inspired by salt pans, which enhances the saline density to nearly twice that of the Dead Sea. The pools, each a different temperature and salinity, help and eliminate excess fluid and boost endorphins, among other benefits. Forte Village The result of this process: 'sea oil'–a therapeutic, magnesium-rich solution with exceptional detoxifying and anti-inflammatory benefits. The circuit, which ranges from pools of pure sea oil to pure seawater, also helps eliminate excess fluid, boost endorphin production, treat psoriasis and other skin conditions, and aid in muscle and joint recovery. Exclusive treatments designed to complement the circuit include cryotherapy with sea oil and aloe, a sea mud shaping treatment, and a thalasso massage, conducted in the circuit's third pool, whose buoyancy optimizes the experience. For an ultra-exclusive wellness extravaganza, there's also private spa experience, which accommodates up to ten people in a 3,200-square-foot sanctuary complete with a four-pool thalasso circuit, as well as a hammam, solarium, and dedicated treatment room for two. Fully revamped in 2022, the spa also offers bespoke wellness programs spanning 4-7 days (new biohacking wellness programs among them), along with holistic and ayurvedic treatments. Unmatched Sports & Recreation Facilities Active travelers keen to work up a sweat, take note: likely no other resort on the planet rivals Forte Village in terms of both sports and recreational programming and facilities. Sports academies this summer include the Real Madrid Fundación Clinic (staffed with UEFA-licensed coaches), a basketball academy helmed by former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, Ettore Messina; padel and pickleball academies, and a new fencing academy led by six-time Olympic gold medalist, Valentina Vezzali. Tennis fans can work on their serve on one of the resort's 13 clay courts with coaching from Wimbledon champ Pat Cash. Forte Village's world-class sports and recreation facilities are located steps from the sea. Forte Village Climbing, swimming, sailing, and scuba diving academies number among the other options, as do chess, go-karting, biking (both mountain and road), and even DJing. Booking at least a day or two in advance is recommended. Fitness enthusiasts can also burn off indulgent pasta dinners with a full schedule of light Pilates, Zumba, and AquaGym classes daily. The Baia delle Palme pool zone features seven water slides and interactive water games. Forte Village Few warm-weather escapes are complete without plenty of pool time–and the resort's Baia delle Palme pool, an expansive aquatic zone, raises the bar for splish-splashy fun in the sun. At its heart lies a spectacular aquapark designed especially for kids, featuring seven water slides, a paddling area with interactive water games, and a pirate ship complete with water cannons. Beyond the myriad sports academies, other activities for children include art, science, and magic workshops, as well as a Barbie Experience, where kids can paint, make jewelry, explore their creativity inside a bona fide pink Barbie House. Newly unveiled this year, the Forte Village Nature Park–an ambitious environmental enhancement project–provides yet another reason to visit. Designed for visitors of all ages and spread over 17 acres, the park offers a guided immersion in various animal and plant species, as well as nature trails and other recreational amenities. Besides stables housing Sardinian donkeys, Shetland ponies, and native Giara horses, there's a 20,000-square-foot Great Aviary, one of the park's standout attractions. The new nature park features a range of animals, as well as nature trails and a zipline. Forte Village Nearly 35 feet high, the birdlife wonderland–complete with vegetation including trees and shrubs, as well as a pond and stream–counts scarlett ibis, crowned cranes, turacos, black swans, and peacocks among its residents. The park also allows visitors to explore the plant world–like the synergistic garden, where they'll learn about aromatic and medicinal herbs, and sustainable agriculture that respects biodiversity. Chilean flamingos number among the many feathered residents of the nature park. Forte Village Beyond flora and fauna, there are nature trails prime for surveying the picturesque landscape, and a zip line that's scheduled to open at the end of August 2025. The park currently offers twice-weekly guided tours for guests, and private tours that can be booked anytime during the week. Additional phases of the project will debut next season. Forte Village is open through the end of October, and reopens in April. For more information and to book, visit the website.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Dua Lipa Puts a Twist on the Tiny Bikini While Doing Yoga Atop a Paddleboard in Ibiza
The singer was seen enjoying some time in the sun in a tiny maroon bikini NEED TO KNOW Dua Lipa was spotted doing yoga on a paddleboard while vacationing in Ibiza The singer wore a double bikini for the occasion She is vacationing in Spain alongside fiancé Callum Turner and her family ahead of her 30th birthday Dua Lipa put a chic twist on the tiny bikini while vacationing in Ibiza. Lipa, 29, was spotted doing yoga on a paddleboard in the sea. For the occasion, the "Houdini" singer sported the Lumière bicolor double kini from Oseree Swimwear in maroon and baby blue. She completed her look with gold hoop earrings and layered necklaces, including one with a square-shaped pendant. The singer was seen in a few popular yoga poses on her board, from downward dog to a headstand. Lipa has been spending time in Spain with family and friends, including fiancé Callum Turner, her mom Anesa Lipa and sister Rina Lipa, ahead of her 30th birthday on Aug. 22. Turner, 35, was seen in a navy blue bucket hat, black swim trunks and shades as he spent time on a boat with Lipa and friends. The celebration kicked off on Tuesday, Aug. 12. For the event, Lipa sported a striking white cut-out Jacquemus dress on her picturesque Spanish vacation. In an Instagram post, she shared a few shots of the outfit, along with some sweep snaps of herself next to her fiancé, who wore a laid-back pale blue and white striped button-down paired with white pants. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The pair spent time poolside and rang in her birthday celebration with a chocolate cake covered in raspberries, cherries and redcurrants. The couple confirmed their engagement in a June interview with British Vogue. 'Yeah, we're engaged. It's very exciting," Lipa told the outlet. She added that her engagement ring was custom-made after Turner consulted her best friends and her sister for advice on her taste. 'I'm obsessed with it. It's so me," Lipa said. "It's nice to know the person that you're going to spend the rest of your life with knows you very well.' Read the original article on People