SEYCHELLES’ HIDDEN GEMS
(Posted 09th February 2015)
Seychelles’ is known around the world as a destination for the who is who, captains of industry, the rich and famous, for filmstars, sporting legends and of course royalty.
While the destination can be affordable for a wider audience, emphasis on affordable but never cheap, does the top end of the market continue to attract attention and reel in revenues per bed and per night which no doubt turn the faces of marketers of competing destinations green with envy.
Diversification away from the main islands of Mahe and Praslin of very posh, very private and very secluded little resorts, at times only offering a few luxury villas, was successful and the one island one resort concept has taken root with some very luxurious properties now on the market, helipad for transfers from the international airport of course all part of the guarantee to those arriving in their own jets and not wanting to be seen. Air Seychelles’ private VIP terminal provides exactly those facilities and Zil Air has the helis’ to take off right next to it.
But even on the main island of Mahe are some exceptional properties found, meeting many of the criteria the one island one resort properties offer to their clientele.
The MAIA is one of those, a proper resort in many ways but guests who do now wish to mingle and be seen have the option to stay in their villa, all of the with their own private pool and hot tub, and have a chef and a butler on call 24 / 7 to fulfill all culinary and other wishes away from prying eyes.
And then there are of course private villas, perhaps the best example being the Residence on the Rocks, which is serviced by the renowned Banyan Tree. ROR is truly a property which offers some unsurpassed luxury. Set high above the beach, which is accessible by electric buggy or by taking the winding stairways down to the ocean, is the residence furnished with a collection of art pieces, pictures, carvings and wall hangings which set it apart from any ‘ordinary luxury hotel room or suite’. A butler couple, Lalith and Chandrika, take care of the housekeeping and on request prepare the food for their guests, though the option to eat at Banyan Tree of course exists as does the option of eating out, and being gated offers guests willing to afford the cost of such a private villa the ultimate luxury, seclusion and privacy.
The tariffs, according to the owners, will remain stable for 2015 and range, depending on season, from Euros 3.500 to Euros 4.200 per night for the entire four bedroom villa, though it is possible to only occupy one bedroom if advance bookings allow, room only and all taxes included.
Arguably there are more expensive properties found across the archipelago, or elsewhere in the world for that matter, but the Residence on the Rocks measures up to the highest standards of hospitality, services and setting and can hold its own against often better known names, but not better in any other aspect.
The Seychelles’ marketing continues to be largely based on the glitz and glamour the name stands for, the reputation it has gained over many decades and the rush by international resort companies on to the islands manifests the magnetic pull the islands have.
While seats on the scheduled flights need to be filled of course, Air Seychelles flies in conjunction with partner Etihad 13 times a week from Abu Dhabi to Mahe and Emirates flies double daily from Dubai (other airlines are Kenya Airways which flies four times a week from Nairobi, Air Austral which arrives from Reunion, Mihin Lanka which connects Colombo, Condor from Frankfurt and Ethiopian from Addis Ababa) can passengers arriving on these airlines expect a picture perfect holiday, when they stay in such properties like the Constance Ephelia or the Constance Lemuria on Praslin, not to forget the Hilton properties, Raffles, Four Seasons and a few other branded names. Those who do not have mega bucks to spend though have many choices too, from self-catering beach cottages like the Chalets Forban to the four star Berjaya Beach Resort and a great many options in between.
For visitors to the Seychelles it is much about the name of course but equally and growing in importance it is about service delivery, the festivals which pull in crowds and the fact that over 50 percent of the archipelago are protected nature and marine reserves without which the destination’s appeal would rapidly shrink. The phrase ‘Seychelles – Another World’ does hold water and political stability has been a guarantor for both investors in tourism as well as the nearly 250.000 visitors which came to the islands last year, that they are safe and can enjoy their vacation, and then go home and brag some more after already bragging big time on the social media, now that high speed internet via fibre optic cable links the country with the rest of the world.
For a full range of details about the archipelago’s offerings click on www.seychelles.travel
