The Seychelles is buzzing with the news – 10 major hotels will open in the next three years, including properties from Four Seasons, Emirates and Shangri-La plus second hotels from Mauritian giant Beachcomber and Constance Hotels.
Although most of the new hotels will be boutique branches, in keeping with the country’s existing low-key development, they will add 3,000 beds to the country’s tourism stock.
“The new hotel accommodation is much-needed,” said Seychelles Tourism Office UK regional manager Wendy Betts. “The new brands will put the Seychelles on the map and attract more brand-minded travellers who might have otherwise excluded Seychelles in favour of Mauritius or the Maldives.”
As the new hotels prepare to open, many three and four-star properties are raising their game and refurbishing. St Anne Resort and Spa near Mahé, and Indian Ocean Lodge on Praslin, are among the 10 hotels closing for refurbishment this year.
Two major hotels are reopening after closing completely – the 200-room Plantation Club and the 170-room Berjaya Mahé Beach, both on Mahé.
As a result, the Tourism Office is expecting UK visitor numbers to increase from a predicted 17,000 this year, to 20,000 by 2010.
Elite Vacations is one of the key operators to the Seychelles and welcomes the increase in accommodation options. Managing director Peter Jackson said: “Requirements vary from greater luxury in spas and facilities, to away-from-it-all remoteness.
“The new properties are a sign of the popularity of the destination and the variety it can offer.”
Read on for details of the hotels.
>> Further reading: Seven days in Seychelles
Castello Beach Hotel, Praslin
This will be the only all-suite boutique hotel in the four-star bracket when it opens later this year on Anse Kerlan, one of the best beaches on Praslin. The 26 suites and one pool villa have spectacular views of Mahé, Silhouette and Cousin islands.
Opens: August 2008
Allamanda Hotel, Mahé
Allamanda Hotel, MahéA 30-room resort inspired by colonial architecture and set on the peaceful cove at Anse Forbans. A restaurant will serve Creole and international food and an infinity pool will extend towards the sea.
Opens: late-2008
Round Island Resort, Round Island (near Mahé)
Round Island Resort, Round Island (near Mahé)Just 10 chalets will be spread across this large, lush island in the middle of the St Anne Marine National Park. Most chalets will be one-bedroom, each will have a private pool, and the resort will also have a Lifestyle Spa, restaurant, bar and library.
Opens: late-2008
- roundislandresort.com
Ephelia Resort, Mahé
Ephelia Resort, MahéLocated on a green peninsula surrounded by turquoise water on the west coast of the island, this resort will have 268 mixed suites, beach and mountain villas and spa villas plus a presidential villa. It will also have five restaurants, a spa village and various watersports facilities.
Opens: late-2008
Four Seasons Resort, Mahé
Four Seasons Resort, MahéThe luxury hotel group is set to open a 55-villa resort on a forested hillside overlooking Petit Anse beach on southern Mahé. Each villa will have a private pool and there will be two restaurants, a spa and a dive centre.
Opens: late-2008
Dhevatara Beach Resort, Praslin
Dhevatara Beach Resort, PraslinA 10-room, four-star boutique hotel on Grand Anse beach will be the first venture into the Seychelles for Thai hotel group Dhevatara. An island resort plus another hotel on La Digue will follow.
Opens: 2009
Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Long Island (near Mahé)
Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Long Island (near Mahé)The luxury group will open a private-island resort inside the St Anne Marine National Park, just 10 minutes to Victoria by boat. There will be 89 villas all with private infinity pools, spacious sun decks and ocean views, plus a Chi spa and hilltop wedding chapel.
Opens: late-2009
Beachcomber Praslin, Praslin
Villas and bungalows will be scattered through dense tropical gardens 20 minutes from Praslin airport, with 121 units, three restaurants, a spa, children’s club and watersports facilities. The resort will be the sister-property to St Anne Resort and Spa near Mahé.
Opens: late-2009
The Waterfront Resort and Spa Village, Mahé
The Waterfront Resort and Spa Village, MahéAn elegant boutique hotel is set to open on the east coast of Mahé with 30 rooms and nine waterside apartments. A Creole-style village will have shops, boutiques and art galleries as well as the large Lifestyle Spa, which will tailor-make treatment programmes of up to four weeks.
Opens: early 2010
Emirates Cap Ternay Resort and Spa, Mahé
Emirates Cap Ternay Resort and Spa, MahéThe first large resort in the Seychelles, the Cap Ternay will have 270 rooms set in gardens, 40 villas in the Cap Matoopa Reserve, overlooking a marine sanctuary and 18 water bungalows, a first for the Seychelles. There will be eight restaurants and a Timeless Spa, all set around two palm-lined beaches.
Opens: 2010
