Fregate Island Private’s two year renovation is complete.
The Seychelles private island sanctuary, which joined the Oetker Collection in 2013, has spent the last two years being overhauled with all accommodation and facilities upgraded and modernised.
Best known for being home to 2,200 free-roaming Giant Aldabra Tortoises as well as numerous other endangered animal and bird species, the island is two square kilometres of pristine wilderness with seven private white sand beaches.
The renovation has included the 16 private pool villas, the Banyan Hill Estate comprising three residences, the marina, restaurant, bar and resort’s additional swimming pools.
The villas have been totally refinished and given a cleaner and more modern feel with white linen fabrics complementing the natural African hardwood interiors. They are still focused around a huge private pool and Jacuzzi overlooking the Indian Ocean. There are also new air conditioning systems, high speed wireless internet, TV systems and mini bars, and decks have been renovated.
The Presidential Villa, Banyan Hill, has had its three separate villas and the core entertainment building completely renewed to the standard of the rest of the resort’s villas.
The marina has been restored with new equipment introduced, there are more places to relax, socialise and dine including the Yacht Club, the Anse Bamboo Beach Bar and treehouse.
And all the resort’s gardens and private green spaces have been groomed and a kid’s club created on one of the beaches.
Staff training has been a major focus for the team to reach the Oetker Collection standards at its other hotels such as Le Bristol Paris. There are 150 staff on the island looking after approximately 60 guests, each villa has its own butler and there are experts such as a marine biologist and conservationists.
New Head Chef Alan Larch prepares dishes using 70% of his ingredients from the hotel’s vegetable gardens and 80% of fish served in the hotel are caught by the resorts own fisherman.
Fregate Island Private’s commitment to conservation is stronger too. The resort has significantly improved its Magpie Robin, sea turtle and land tortoise projects. State-of-the-art fuel-efficient generators to power the island and a wastewater plant that converts wastewater to 95% pure usable water for irrigation have been installed.
A fleet of hybrid golf carts, fuel-saving boats, LED AND CFC lighting and among other eco touches.
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