What’s it really like to live and work in the Seychelles?

Imagine living in the Seychelles and working in one of the dreamiest and most luxurious hotels the island paradise has to offer. That’s the daily reality for Edouard Grosmangin, General Manager of the exclusive five-star Raffles Seychelles resort, which is nestled on the second largest granite island in the Seychelles, Praslin.

If you need a better idea of the level of wanderlust we are dealing with here, just take a look at the resort’s Instagram grid…

We catch up with Edouard to find out what it’s really like to live and work in one of the most spectacular bucket list destinations on the planet. But be warned: reading on may induce a serious case of life envy!

How long have you lived in the Seychelles?

Altogether, for almost seven years on and off. I first arrived in 2009 and stayed for three years in Mahe (the main island). I then moved to Vietnam for two years before returning to the Seychelles for three years to oversee the opening of another luxury resort. Then back to Europe for five months before the Seychelles – and the resort Raffles – called in December 2017.

What were your expectations before you moved there?

I didn’t have any… I like to discover new destinations and take things as they come. The beauty of travel is to adapt to a destination, not the other way round. It makes you richer as a person.

What were your first impressions of the Seychelles?

That I’d landed in paradise to the beauty of Mother Nature. There’s such a unique melting pot of people. It’s the Eden of the earth.

Have you been to or lived on any other Indian Ocean islands? If so, what makes the Seychelles stand out?

I’ve visited Mauritius and the Maldives – there’s nothing to compare. The Seychelles are authentic and preserved with only 300,000 visitors per year. They almost have a Jurassic feeling on the granitic islands. Every island emerges in the middle of the open ocean. There’s great weather all year round without seasons due to its position on the equator.

What’s the best dish on the menu at Raffles Seychelles?

Local red snapper with passion fruit sauce and breadfruit gnocchi. Besides of course the classic Millionaire Salad (palm heart salad with smoked marlin).

What is the Seychelles’ take on the Singapore Sling (a Raffles tradition)?

We have its sister cocktail, the Praslin Sling (gin, coconut milk, kaffir lime leaves and vanilla syrup shaken and served in a martini glass with a kaffir lime leaf garnish) – however, our signature is an extensive selection of gin and tonic.