Banyan Tree - Seychelles

We, a couple from England, were spending a week here, 2nd week at Desroches Island and then a 3rd week Sailing round the Islands (lucky us – I know). This was Stop No 1, arriving straight from Mahe Airport off the BA Flight, so nice and early – around 10.00 anyway. Check-in was really slow and we were made to wait till the Local Tour Agent could come and sell us some Tours. I strongly suspect it was also because our Room was not ready. Had they been busy, or anywhere near 50% Occupancy – fair enough, but they were not. It was just poorly done and a badly-executed Introduction / Start. We were then driven (450 yds) by Golf cart to our Room (Bekin Vera – 115 – a Beachfront Villa with pool). In a word – gorgeous. Sizable Bedroom with double-bed festooned with flowers & a Welcome note, chest of drawers, fridge & mini-bar (more on that later), writing desk, with en-suite bathroom - twin sinks, with WC, shower, dressing area and wardrobe / hanging space for clothes. All with AC and Fan. Outside under the awning was a large patio (so shaded) with small table and chairs for alfresco …., a small, yet big enough to swim in, pool, a gazebo with chairs, a sofa, table, table lamps, an overhead fan and mosquito coils with matches. Delightful spot for sundowners. Plus – an outside shower to de-sand before going inside, 2 Loungers on the small lawn, and then 2 more specifically for the beach (dragged back off beach each night so as not to hamper Turtle nesting activity). Distance from high-tide mark and our bedroom was about 20 yards and we fell asleep (or woke) most nights to the lapping of the waves on the beach – a bit over-enthusiastically on 2/3 nights. Sunset slightly to our right each night. Stunning. Oh, I nearly forgot – another sunbathing lounger (double size) beyond which was our very own (completely private) Hot Tub. We turned it off at night because on the pump noise. Transport (free) was orderable to take one to Reception, Breakfast or Dinner, Spa/Gym. We walked, except for one day – a serious thunderstorm. For those less mobile, this facility was a very good idea& useful. Reception was up quite a steep incline. Breakfast was delightful everyday (except on soaking morning) with a stunning vista – a la Carte (eggs typically) or simple Buffet. Nice spot, super Service. We tried their Restaurant twice – Italian evening and a Steak Special. Ordinary in the extreme. Steak was way overdone. I would have sent it back, but did not want to mar the evening. We then tried Saffron (the Thai Restaurant, overlooking a large pond, with inside or al fresco sitting, walkable from Villa 115, and Bookings were strongly commended). Every night we tried it - 5 x delightful meals. A Revelation - Excellent Service, Food, Quality and Quantity. Not cheap, but one is in the Seychelles. Affordable (just) Wine choices (Chablis), but again not cheap, by any stretch. Nice beach, if quite steep and disappearing fast and a rough sea with wicked rip currents. It is not a Private Beach and anyone can drive to the nearby Car Park & use the beach. Those that did and left an array of fag butts, empty bottles, discarded bottle tops with nice sharp edges, plus assorted garbage, were a real surprise & unexpected. Why no litter patrol had been instigated remains a mystery. Our morning Turtle & Birding beach walk was rather disappointing, escorted by one of the least enthusiastic Guides I have ever encountered. Main Building, comprising Reception, Lounge & Bar and Restaurants looks a bit tired and in need of a dose of TLC. We did not get the impression a great deal had changed since its glamorous halcyon days. Perhaps a fresh touch & bit of an upgrade to more modern & contemporary standards, expected these days in 5* Star rated Hotels, is warranted. Power Tools were in use every daylight hour. The noise was awful, even if their endeavours did create a wonderful Natural Habitat to wander around. Gym super. Used several times. Freezing cold inside and up a steep hillock. Spa was not used. Prices comparable to the at high-end for London or New York, put us off. Warning I: Steps down to Breakfast are marble and extremely slippery – much worse when wet or it has rained. They are dangerous. No warning signs, until after I had taken a tumble. Warning II: Drinks prices are very high - soft drinks as well as beer, wine or spirits and in all Bars but those on your Room/Villa should carry a Health Warning - £5 for a Tonic, £13 for a sml Heineken, & £200+ for a shot of Gin (you are deemed to have consumed the entire Bottle. Buyer Beware – Duty Free needs to be used/brought. I bought 24 Tonics in a local Supermarket (walkable) for about £5. NB. Do NOT Miss the Manager’s Cocktail Drinks evening – they’re free. No way is this 5* - 4* at best. Needs a refit and major refurb. Then we might return. The Covid-19 Pandemic had not hit yet Read less

4 days of paradise. My husband booked this as a surprise birthday holiday for me and from first contact the staff were brilliant in helping him set up the surprise he wanted. We stayed in villa 304, a Sanctuary Ocean View Pool Villa. This was in March, just before coronavirus changed the world. The villa was amazing, the view wherever you were within the room, bathroom, pool, jacuzzi or sun deck was stunning. It was also totally private. The only little niggle was the poor wifi signal. We loved our stay here. Intendance beach was quiet and we enjoyed walking up and down it most days. The food was excellent. We ate in the Saffron and Au Jardin d'Epices restaurants, had the beach dining and the cook in your own villa experiences. The service from the staff was exceptional for both experiences. We sat outside for breakfast each day overlooking the beach and sea. Service for breakfast was hit and miss, but the food itself was great and it didn’t stop our enjoyment. We only drank in the Rum Shack once, but enjoyed it. It’s well worth visiting the Wildlife Conservation and Rehabilitation Centre to see the giant tortoises. The staff there were really passionate about what they were doing. We mostly chose to walk around the resort, but there is a buggy service to get you to wherever you want on the resort. Another small niggle, on our last morning the buggy we had prebooked didn’t turn up to get us and our luggage as planned. While this intitally caused us a bit of a panic, we realised when we got to the airport we needn’t have worried. Mahé airport is so laid back, there was no need to get there 3 hours before to check in. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in villa 304, the only significant negative was that we had to leave! Especially when we found out what we were coming home to! It is without doubt the best room we have ever stayed in! We hired a car to get around, which was well worth it. While the island is small, the roads mean that it takes longer than you expect to get from a to b. We drove around most of the island. For us, aside from Intendance our favourite beaches were Cap Ternay, Barbarons, Carana, Port Laney and especially Police Bay. Highly recommend this place to stay. Read less

However the global situation was awful, we had a wonderful Time. Upgraded to a beach villa, 110, everything was fine The room, the food, the service, the beach, the spa were all great. A beautiful place... Yes, it should be refurbished, even more than that. But really, it didnt bother us and you never feel in an old or worn place in your room or lobby/restaurant/spa... Of course, everything is expensive but in the seychelles and a luxury hôtel, you can expect it. Definitely, we will bé back one day. Read less