The EliteVoyage team give their personal recommendations for an Indian Ocean holiday in 2024.
They share exciting developments and trends, like new island resorts and opportunities in the Seychelles.
Plus itineraries and recommendations they’ve recently made for clients, from island hopping to holidays for a large extended family.
Filip Pačes, Travel Designer
Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island
“I’m most excited about the opening of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island.”
I have big expectations for this new private island resort, which will be fully open by April.
It’s a remote island on an atoll with rich marine life, 20 minutes from the international airport on the resort’s plane. This will be only the resort in the entire atoll.
The accommodation is exclusively pool villas. 50 of them are spread across the island and they range in size, from one to five bedrooms.
It looks like there’s an excellent choice of dining, based around the concept of garden and ocean to table.
The resort looks to be an excellent choice for experiences on the water. Snorkelling and diving of course, then also fly fishing, surfing and free diving.
Seychelles vs Maldives for big families
I had a big multigenerational family from small infants to elders, deciding between Seychelles and Maldives for a holiday in March.
We spent a long time comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each. Eventually they booked the Maldives.
The main reasons were that Maldives has more stable weather in March, and has calmer seas for the young ones. Seychelles beaches are wilder and rougher, with bigger waves and tides.
These clients want to save the Seychelles for later, when their kids are bigger and can fully enjoy a more nature-based island.
Michal Pátek, Travel Designer
Cheval Blanc Seychelles
I’m most excited about Cheval Blanc opening their property in the Seychelles in 2024.
Jean-Michel Gathy is the architect of this all-villa resort on Anse Intendance beach, along the southwestern coast of Mahé Island. It’s scheduled to open in the autumn, for the 2024-2025 winter season.
If it can match the outstanding quality we’ve seen at Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives, and the fabulous Cheval Blanc Paris, this should be a real treat.
Petr Udavský, CEO
Miavana
I am very excited about Miavana, for many reasons – unusual animals, only 14 villas, a private island of 10km2 of nature.
It’s a truly unique and remote place, a private island far off the coast of Madagascar, only accessible by helicopter.
I will be visiting Miavana in March and can’t wait to feedback about this truly unique private island resort.
Island Hopping in the Maldives
Recently I was discussing beach holidays with a very active client who doesn’t like staying in one place. We explored the options for island hopping.
The Maldives is actually a great destination for combining several resorts on one holiday.
Creating an island hopping itinerary requires very careful consideration of logistics, to minimise inter-resort travel time. We must also ensure late check out or early check in, so there’s never any waiting around.
Stephen Bailey, Marketing Director
Soneva Secret, Maldives
I’m most excited about Soneva Secret, a remote Maldives island resort with only 14 villas, including the country’s first floating villa.
Soneva is an inspiration for me, for their pioneering approach to sustainability and distinctive approach to barefoot luxury.
Opening 10th February, their newest resort is the only one in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll, 320 kilometres north from Male. It’s pure Robinson Crusoe vibes, without another island in sight.
All the 14 villas have spa treatment rooms and retractable roofs for watching the stars!
Thanda Island, Tanzania
I recently discovered this exclusive-use island at a trade show. It’s an 8km2 island far off the coast of Tanzania, perfect for combining with a Tanzania safari.
Thanda sleeps ten adults plus children and a stay includes the use of three different yachts. I’m excited to make a visit and inspect this island that’s a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
Dominika Hüttnerová, Travel Designer
Zanzibar
Zanzibar’s cultural richness, natural beauty, and warm hospitality made it a truly inspiring destination for me.
Zanzibar really has a positive and inviting atmosphere for visitors, with such warm hospitality.
I loved its stunning beaches, my favourite being Paje, perfect for long walks during the day and turning into a party place in the evening.
I have a client visiting Zanzibar now. Originally she had another destination in mind, but January and February is perfect for Zanzibar.
The client’s criteria was a combination of relaxation and the opportunity to experience local life. We chose Zanzibar and specifically Tulia Zanzibar, which is perfect for this.
Stepan Borovec, Project & Operations Director
Seychelles
I am really excited about this year’s openings in the Seychelles – the destination didn’t see a new luxury resort for some time and really needed refreshing.
The Seychelles luxury resort selection is not as wide as in the Maldives, so seeing Waldorf Astoria open a private island concept, as well as Cheval Blanc, which took after Banyan Tree on Mahe Island is very welcomed.
I personally believe these two resorts will quickly be one of the best in the whole Indian Ocean region.
Zanzibar vs Maldives
I had a client who wanted to spend their honeymoon in Zanzibar, where I actually spent my own honeymoon.
It’s a great choice, but nor for them. They are very active snorkelers and wanted to start scuba diving. Therefore I recommended some Maldivian hotels where the snorkelling and diving options are much better and tides don’t impact the holiday as much.
They chose Amilla where I recommended the Reef Water Villa. It’s s both romantic and super convenient for snorkelling – a few stops down the ladder from the villa and you are directly on a beautiful reef.
And you are close to Hanifaru bay where you can snorkel with Manta Rays! They really enjoyed their stay there.
Matous Grund, Travel Designer
Maldives
“Every trip to the Maldives surprises me. My trip in May will be my ninth to the Maldives! I’m looking forward to beautiful beaches, nice people, stunning resorts and great food.
In May I’ll be exploring JOALI Maldives, Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island, One&Only Reethi Rah and a new addition, Six Senses Kanuhura.
Probably the greatest experience I arranged for clients last year was a dive with whale sharks. They said it was the experience of a lifetime and are so excited to go and do it again this year.
Your Indian Ocean Holiday in 2024
What are your priorities for a beach holiday? How do you want to feel on your next trip?
At EliteVoyage we create holidays individually, giving you personal advice and recommendations about the best places to go.
The Indian Ocean has dozens of outstanding options, but there isn’t a resort we would recommend to everyone. It always depends on your preferences.
