Mango House Seychelles reveals design details

LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s collection of independent luxury properties, has unveiled its newest island escape, Mango House Seychelles.

Located on the south-west of Mahé Island, the spacious manor house is an intimate resort built on the site of the former home of world-famous fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri.

Nestled amongst mango fruit trees, the hideaway features 41 guestrooms, suites and villas providing serene ocean views bound by lush greenery and adorned with natural décor echoing the rugged beauty of Seychelles.

The origins of the property come from the ancient Mango Tree – one of the oldest on the island of Mahé at around 150 years old. Gian Paolo Barbieri originally named his home ‘Mango House’ due to the White Mango Tree that bore fruit in his kitchen’s garden. The historic tree has been preserved and remains a prominent feature in the centre of the main house, which opens out onto the deep blue of Anse Aux Poules Blues Bay.

The seascape inspired a light touch throughout, with the structure of the resort constructed to mirror the curvature of the coast, whereby the distribution of rooms, suites and villas along the bay’s edge offer each residence an expansive view of the ocean.

Upon arrival guests will find Bwason natural wood sticks that recreate the ceilings of the original house, alongside local granite cladding. Preserved handmade furniture with sleek wooden finishing is coupled with muted beige tones, creating a contemporary but comfortable feel that is deeply connected to the local culture and colours of Seychelles.

The materials used throughout the property have primarily been sourced in Seychelles, from the local granite cladding to the Nalau wood used for structural elements, to the off-white stucco wall texture finish on the façade and grano wash used for pathways. These architectural and design elements highlight the local textures and have created a multi-sensory environment in which guests can experience Seychelles from within the resort.

Prized furniture pieces dating from the original resort, which are visible in some of the archive photographs of the original interior, have been interspersed within the new public area spaces of the house, such as the drawing room and Muse restaurant. The original front doors of the main house have been celebrated and transformed into sculptural artwork reminiscent of the island’s rich heritage and culture. The artwork throughout the property also tells the story of Mango House, a natural showcase of Barbieri’s creative spirit and the scenic surroundings.

The interiors have been designed to create a sense of home using tactile, natural, and earthy materials. Fixtures have been custom-designed using natural handmade materials to weave the natural surroundings throughout the guest experience.

Mango House features five culinary venues that have been designed to reflect the diverse flavours of the island cuisine. The layout and interiors of the spaces follow suit, drawing inspiration from local spices, aromas, colours and the landscape. In Kokoye, the bar lounge inspired by South Indian Creole culture, walls are adorned with tropical prints and the colours of local flowers whilst rugs in saturated hues catch the eye in the intimate space.

At the all-day dining restaurant, Muse, interiors are inspired by its cuisine reflecting the French Brassiere style with patterned tile walls, swinging wicker fans and a blend of whites, muted blues and browns create a perfect frame for the incredible views.

“When Hilton approached our team, this was a dream project,” comments Lead architect Joe Tabet of JT+Partners. “It was a unique opportunity to work around the location, surroundings and integrating design elements while preserving the nature and beauty of the original site morphology. The standout point about Mango House is its eclectic vernacular contemporary style that brings together local, colonial and international design.”

“We endeavoured to treat each and every aspect of the interior with the care and attention to detail it deserved, to create a truly memorable guest experience that is bespoke, intimate and personalised,” explains Janine Mijne, Director SF&E, dsgnTM.

She continues: “Inspired by the property history, local culture and the exceptional surroundings into which Mango House has been so beautifully integrated, we hope to have delivered an effortlessly chic boutique interior, layered with the element of surprise, which in turn has been complemented by the incredible food and hospitality offering of the Hilton and LXR team.”