Zil Pasyon means island of passion in Seychellois Creole, which is a fairly bold name to live up to. Félicité manages it. This small granite island, about a square mile of jungle, boulder-strewn coves and empty beaches, sits just east of La Digue. Six Senses is the only resort on it. From your villa you look out across a scatter of islands, Praslin, La Digue, Curieuse and the Sisters among them, floating in water so clear it barely looks wet.
Opened in 2016, the resort has a cool, contemporary island look: pale wood, white stone and ocean blues, with villas folded into the hillside and spa pavilions perched among enormous granite rocks. It is a place for couples who want the wildness of a private island with the energy of a design-forward resort, plus the brand's signature focus on wellness and sustainability. Days slide between sunrise yoga, snorkeling with turtles, a swing in an overwater hammock and long dinners under a lantern-hung tree. And when you want a change of scene, the bicycles and beaches of La Digue are only a short speedboat ride away.
Highlights at a glance
- Only resort on private Félicité Island
- Every villa has its own infinity pool and big sea views
- Spa pavilions set among giant granite boulders
- Lantern-lit dinners under an Indian almond tree
- Overwater hammocks for sunset
- La Digue about 15 minutes away by speedboat
Félicité, Up Close
Félicité is one of the larger islands in the Seychelles' inner group yet feels utterly remote. Until the 1970s it was a coconut plantation; later it lay uninhabited. Today the resort occupies only about a third of the land, on the north side, leaving the rest to forest, birds and walking trails.
The geography is classic Seychelles granite. Huge sculpted boulders tumble into the sea and the hills are thick with tropical vegetation and fruit bats. Three small beaches dot the shoreline. The resort's position is the real gift: villas face either sunrise or sunset and the panorama across the inner islands changes color all day. In 2019 the island was recognized among the leading sustainable destinations in Africa by the nonprofit Green Destinations, a nod to the resort's conservation work.
Pool Villas on the Rocks
Most of the roughly 30 villas are one-bedroom Hideaway Pool Villas. They are generous, starting at around 2,150 square feet. Each has its own infinity pool, a broad deck, a bamboo hammock and floor-to-ceiling glass that pulls the ocean right into the bedroom. The design is calm and minimal, with local timber, white marble and soft blue accents, so nothing competes with the view.
For honeymooners, the choice mostly comes down to sunrise or sunset. Sunset-facing villas look west toward La Digue and Praslin, which makes for long evenings by your pool; sunrise villas catch soft morning light and tend to be slightly more sheltered from afternoon sun.
Two-bedroom villas and a handful of large private residences, some with glass-bottomed pools, cater to families and groups, but they sit apart from the core villa areas.
Where to Eat and Drink
The two main restaurants share a setting under a giant Indian almond tree strung with lanterns, one of the most romantic dining spots in the Seychelles after dark.
Island Café is the all-day option, mixing European, Asian and African influences, with Creole curries, grilled seafood and lobster. Ocean Kitchen sits closer to the water on the rocks, with an open kitchen focused on fish and seafood and occasional themed dinners.
For drinks, Koko Bar is the spot for coconut mojitos and hammocks at the water's edge, while Lakanbiz, the moodier evening bar, specializes in house-infused rums served from big glass jars. On your last night, consider booking the private hilltop sunset experience, with Champagne and a dedicated waiter high above the islands. Private beach dinners and in-villa dining are also easy to arrange.
Why guests fall for it
A Spa Built Into the Granite
The Six Senses Spa is the resort's showpiece. Treatment pavilions are tucked among towering granite boulders, linked by winding paths and wooden bridges, with an open-air saltwater pool facing the ocean and a yoga pavilion nearby. Treatments lean holistic, drawing on African-inspired rituals and natural ingredients. Couples' sessions here feel private and unhurried.
Wellness is woven through the stay rather than confined to the spa. Expect morning yoga, a well-equipped gym, healthy menu options and the brand's characteristic attention to sleep and balance. Even the lounging is designed to restore you, from submerged pool loungers to oversized hammocks suspended over the water.
Island Days
Each guest gets a guest experience maker, a dedicated point person who arranges everything from boat trips to dinners, so planning takes almost no effort.
- Hike the jungle trail to Félicité's summit for views over the inner islands
- Paddleboard or kayak around the boulders and snorkel with turtles
- Take a speedboat to La Digue (roughly 15 minutes away) and cycle to Anse Source d'Argent
- Hop to smaller neighboring islands such as Coco Island for snorkeling
- Tour the resort's sustainability projects, including the organic garden, water bottling and Earth Lab
- Catch an outdoor movie night under the stars
The resort also runs turtle and coral conservation work. Guests can learn about it firsthand, which is a meaningful way to spend a morning together.
Why Guests Fall in Love
The setting is the first thing reviewers mention. Often it's the last, too. Guests describe the island as dramatic and cinematic, a place where they escaped the world without sacrificing comfort. The villas earn steady praise for privacy, infinity pools that seem to spill straight into the ocean and the joy of waking to sunrise or ending the day with a sunset from your own deck.
The spa among the boulders is a frequent highlight, as is the overwater hammock at sunset. Couples also appreciate the personal approach of the guest experience makers, who are credited with making each day feel tailored. Many travelers say the resort's environmental commitment made their stay feel more meaningful. Finally, the inventive cocktails, especially the house-infused rums, win a loyal following.
Before You Book
The direct helicopter from Mahé takes about 20 minutes and flies only between sunrise and sunset. It is priced per aircraft with a strict weight limit for passengers and luggage, so check your flight times and bags. Speedboats from Praslin or La Digue are an alternative if you are already island-hopping. Transfers are charged separately and can be a notable expense, so factor them in.
Rates are typically quoted on a bed-and-breakfast basis and dining at a single-resort island adds up quickly, so ask about half-board or honeymoon packages. The resort welcomes families and runs a kids' club, but with only a few dozen villas spread over a large hillside, the atmosphere stays relaxed and romantic. Paths are hilly, but buggies are available to carry you around the property. Pack repellent for evenings on the island; dengue occurs in the Seychelles at times, so if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices before you go.
Insider tips
- Request a sunset-facing villa if evening views over La Digue and Praslin are a priority.
- Book the hilltop sunset experience for your last night and reserve early, since it is private.
- Plan a La Digue day trip early in your stay so you can return if you fall for it.
- Time your arrival so your international flight lands with daylight to spare for the helicopter.
