The page has been written after a ten-day journey in Seychelles last summer, for less than €900 per person (airport tax included).

The Berjaya Mahe Beach hotel used to be a "Sheraton" hotel in the late 20th century. It is now being owned by Malaysian company Berjaya. Although the hotel would really need deep restoration work , it is still appropriate for a ten-day journey in Seychelles at an affordable price. This hotel is used by low-cost travel company Switch (also known as Partirpascher.com).

It's located on the west coast of the Mahe island. It's about 10 kms away from the capital Victoria and 15 kms away from the 'international' airport.

 

The garden is full of coconut trees, red crabs and also six nice turtles. It's probably the most interesting and beautiful part of the hotel. The second most interesting thing is the large swimming-pool.

There is one small private beach next to the hotel (with a beach-volley field) but it's a small one and not really "Seychelles-like". There are free shuttles from the hotel to the Port Launay lagoon (5 minute-drive) and to the Beauvallon beach (45 minute-drive). There is a small supermarket in the Port-Glaud village (5 minute-walk) for basic food shopping. It's also possible to use the free shuttle to go to the capital Victoria (but don't plan to stay more than one day in Victoria, it's the smallest capital in the world and there's not that much to do).

If you like sports, one tennis court and one squash court are available in the hotel, in addition to a beach-volley field on the private beach. A snooker table is also available in the hotel.

 

All rooms offer an amazing view over the Indian Ocean (see photos). Rooms are quite old but always clean, equipped with one large bed or two beds, telephone, fridge, television and A/C. The bathroom (also old but clean) is equipped with a bath and a hair-dryer.

 

  • Car rental

I rent a car from Nelson's Hire company: €45 per day for 3 days. The car (a small 4x4 Daihatsu Terios, dedicated to the narrow roads of Mahe) was delivered directely in front of the hotel. It's the best way to discover the amazing beaches of Mahe. My favourites are: Anse Soleil, Anse Takamaka and Anse Intendance.

  

  • Few words about Switch and Qatar Airways

I travelled with Switch (also known as Partirpascher): €690 (plus €175 airport tax) for a 11 days/9 nights package to Seychelles (flights operated by the 5-Star company Qatar Airways). I received my convocation about one week before departure: meeting point was Terminal 1 in Charles de Gaulle airport, 3 hours before flight departure. A Switch representant was waiting and gave us our flight tickets, transfers and hotel vouchers. I never had any logistic issue during my journey.

Qatar Airways is a real good company that owns only brand new Airbus aircrafts. First flight from Paris to Doha last about 6 hours. The A330 was equipped with nice individual TV screen and about 30 movies available that you can play, pause and rewind whenever you want. The Doha stop is also a nice experience: the aircraft lands at 5am and the temperature is already around 40°C ... Hopefully the Doha Terminal has nice A/C ! The A320 flight from Doha to Mahe Island is about 5 hours and the landing in Seychelles is quite amazing with the Indian Ocean next to the airport's track.

 

  • Money

 Seychelles rupee (roupie seychelloise in french) is quite useless. Almost everything has to be paid in Euros or US Dollars: car rental, hotel and related restaurants, local travel agencies,  ... The only thing you can pay will rupees is souvenirs and small restaurant. Therefore, don't forget to bring enough Euros or US Dollars and your pocket calculator: about 50 Euros per day for car rental, about 20 Euros per meal per person, about 100 Euros per person for Mahe-Praslin transfers, ...

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* Link to photos *