Before we began designing the lodge we undertook extensive research that strongly indicated that in today's overcrowded world, people were increasingly looking for privacy and their own space. It is precisely this concept that became the cornerstone and major influence in the design of the Villas and a point of focus to ensure that guests would really enjoy spending their time in their Villa if they so wished.

With this in mind, we designed Villas that measure 450 square metres (4,890 square feet) which we felt is the optimum size, allowing guests an exclusive feeling and enough room to spread out and enjoy a unique, private, island-style experience to the full. The idea was to make sure the Villas would bring the sense to life, but at the same time be a simple space in which to free the mind and refresh the soul.

Each Villa has two bedrooms, a main bedroom and a second bedroom. Whilst the Villa is primarily occupied by one or two guests, they may have a requirement to use the second bedroom for children or friends and this is available at an additional cost. Alternatively, the second bedroom can be converted into a study for guests staying in the master bedroom.

Each Villa has been individually handcrafted by Seychellois and African craftsmen on the Island. The principle materials used were wood, local stone, glass and thatched roofs. All this combines to form a warm and inviting space that offers guests that rare opportunity to relax completely. Each Villa is completely self-contained and is raised over a metre off the ground to catch the cooling island breezes.

A luxuriously proportioned master bedroom with change-room and writing area leads onto a large en-suite bathroom with marble bath and two showers, one indoor and one outdoor. The bedrooms are air-conditioned and all rooms have overhead "punkah punkah" fans. The fully retracting sliding doors allow for uninterrupted views onto the lawns and the turquoise seas in front of each Villa. There is satellite television, a DVD/CD system and Internet access. The kitchen leads off the lounge/dining area. A private plunge pool and sala are the finishing touches in this private sanctuary.

In siting the Villas, we placed Villas 1 to 9 discretely in the tree-line, facing onto Anse d'est Beach. Villas 10 and 11 are completely unique in their siting. Their layout has been designed to accommodate the incline along the extreme northern side of the Anse d'est Beach and they are secretly tucked away in the Takamaka forest. The beach views from these Villas are truly spectacular from every angle of these units and it is this, together with the unique manipulation of the design, which separates these two remarkable Villas from the rest. Villas 10 and 11 are referred to as Villa Royale and Villa North Island respectively.

Each Villa offers you: Elements of design and style in the Villas that epitomise the concept of barefoot luxury. Each Villa has two bedrooms, a main bedroom and a second bedroom/study. The bedrooms and dressing rooms are air-conditioned and are equipped with extra large beds, as well as lounge areas with TV and DVD/CD. Spacious main bathroom with marble bath, inside and outside showers and twin vanities. A separate toilet and bidet leads off the main bathroom. Lounge and dining area with adjoining kitchenette. Use of a second en-suite room as a guest room or office/study complete with Internet connection (also in the main bedroom), as determined by guests' personal requirements. 200 square metres of outside decking, a private 17,000 litre pool and covered "sala".