The Private Traveller

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Hotel Review: Raffles Seychelles.

The Private Traveller

Overview

For this trip, our first long-haul since Covid, we picked the Seychelles both because they allowed international visitors without too restrictive travelling/entry restrictions and by being able to fly direct from London with British Airways meant we could take advantage of the Seychelles being one of the UK approved quarantine-free travel corridors. Initially the plan was to spend 5 nights each across three different resorts/islands, but the rules changed slightly from when we originally booked (as did the flights a number of times) when you had to get your test in the Seychelles (day 6 rather than day 5), so we decided just to spend a week here to make sure that our initial test period was covered. As the rules stand at the moment, coming from a Category 2 country meant that we could not leave the resort until we had received another negative Covid test. Have just had it this morning (day 6) and if we don’t hear within 24 hours we can leave the resort.

Different resorts (although all have to be on a Government approved list to be able to stay) seemed to apply different rules for that initial quarantine period, until you get a negative test result on day 6 of entry into the Seychelles. Some applied rules that you could only stay in certain parts of a resort and guests were moved once they had their negative test result, to only use certain restaurants and not use the gym/spa etc. (which ruled out some places for us as the experience would be so restricted) but at Raffles (though applying all safety and hygiene measures) the only restriction was to not leave the resort for the first 6/7 days (not too much of an imposition, considering how wonderful it is) and different country categories used the gym AM/PM alternating on days of the week. All restaurants were open and available to us as was the (albeit limited for all) spa treatment selection and none of the guests had to wear masks (although some did, in limited numbers) but all staff did. There was a temperature check each morning on arrival at breakfast, but apart from that everything seemed fairly normal. 

I will be writing a separate blog post about what it was like being tested for Covid in the UK (think we now have it sussed for future trips) and also what it’s like flying with Covid travel restrictions.


Hotel website: https://www.raffles.com/seychelles/

Would I stay here again?   For sure - would just make sure we were staying in one of the highest villas and better being on the 2xx side (the resort is split into 100’s numbered villas on one side and 200’s on the other side). So easy to get to direct from Mahé using the helicopter service from Zil Air, equally accessible by scheduled flights from Air Seychelles.

Location

Was somewhat nostalgic in that coming to the Seychelles for the very first time many, many years ago I stayed at what is now called Le Domaine de la Réserve (I think back then it was maybe called something different) - this was a last minute change to a vacation which should originally have been to Egypt, but had to be cancelled due to safety concerns. Once we were settled in the villa at Raffles, I could see in the distance, a few bays around the coast, a collection of small thatched buildings and what looked like a covered deck extending into the ocean - I soon realised that this was indeed where we had stayed (memorable for a couple of reasons - I stood on a sea urchin, had to go to the Praslin clinic for treatment and a very kind elderly lady in the resort lent me her walking stick to get around; also that the hotel’s [eagerly awaiting building of] a large swimming pool which had been newly completed before we arrived, couldn’t be filled because of water shortages at the time. At that point, Raffles would not have been built, I think this opened around 2010/2011.

Raffles itself is in a perfect location, I’ve only ever stayed on the (smaller than the mainland) island of Praslin; accessible from Mahé (home of the international airport) by both boat, regular scheduled flights with Air Seychelles or equally accessible right to your resort by the super-efficient Zil Air helicopter and private plane service. This trip we’re also going to be visiting Denis (Private) Island and also staying on the mainland to make it easy for an early-morning return flight at Constance Ephelia. We’ve travelled before with Zil Air (last trip we landed direct on the golf course at Constance Lemuria) and this time we were whisked away from the main airport on arrival to the Zil Air terminal, just a very short drive away, were weighed and check-in extremely promptly and after only a few minutes wait were on our way in a private helicopter direct to Raffles. A brilliant way to travel, and to arrive!

Being built on the hillsides, Raffles affords stunning views from many of the central buildings and most of the villas (Garden villas though, you will only get the ultra-green jungle landscape) and there was a very efficient buggy service to take you to/from wherever you wanted to go. Anyone with mobility issues should check how accessible individual villas are, especially the higher-level villas were a bit of a hike to get to, but as I say we used the buggy service most of the time and on calling one it could be there within minutes - very efficient. We only had a problem once when buggies didn’t arrive (twice) when we were on our way to a spa appointment, but apart from that they would usually turn up very promptly.

Accommodation

There are 86 villas in total spread across this resort - initially we were allocated villa 108 which on first look was incredible. The large pool deck and seating areas had spectacular views, and the inside of the villa was equally fabulous as well. We soon realised though that depending on which way you looked, there was also the view over a car park, maintenance yard and what looked like the electricity generators and/or sewage workings. There was also the constant noise of generators and someone welding equipment. As soon as we complained, we were told that we could move to another villa on the other ‘side’ of the resort later, but at no point was it mentioned that this villa allocation had only been temporary because of our early check-in - had this been the case, it would have been perfectly understandable to have a vastly inferior view to begin with. When later noticed that a nearby villa in that same area (and same disappointing view) had been turned into the Covid-testing clinic.

On moving later that day, the transformation was incredible and the extreme disappointment on arrival (partially) forgotten - I even asked on check-in if the villa we had been allocated had a great view, and I was assured it had. Although the villa itself was the same (lounge area, raised bedroom platform with a massive king-size bed, dressing area, spacious wardrobes and storage, desk area, huge bathroom with shower, WC, bidet, twin sinks and a deep tub with one of the best ocean views) the resort took on a very different vibe with the outlook and lack of constant drone noise from the generators.

Throughout the resort (pay more to go higher and get better views, if they matter to you) the villas (all with private pools) vary from Garden View, Partial Ocean View, Ocean View and Panoramic Ocean View with also One or Two Bedroom options which also include a larger lounge area and separate bedroom. The villa we had (laterally #280 which I would highly recommend) was superbly appointed, had an incredible amount of space with a decent sized pool (with another wow view) inside and out, was spotlessly clean from arrival and refreshed to the same exacting standards each day (though no turn-down service, but could be requested). There was everything you could ask for, a daily supply of complimentary cookies or snacks, constantly refreshed mineral water, a well-supplied minibar (chargeable) and complimentary tea/coffee, lots of pristine white fluffy towels, bathrobes and Asprey ‘Purple Water’ toiletries as well as a full range of eco-friendly amenities. Although we never used it, as well as a large indoor shower area there was also a private (screened) outdoor shower too. 

Food & Drink

The choice and standard of food throughout was just exceptional - breakfast was always in the main Losean Restaurant, unless you wanted in-villa dining. Most mornings we enjoyed a late breakfast in the restaurant; there was a choice of teas, coffees and juices served to your table, with a full (served) buffet available - there were food stations for fruit, smoothies, cheeses; bakery, pastries and toast; cereals, muesli etc.; eggs and hot foods; pancakes and waffles station; and also a full Japanese/Asian selection too. Although at all food stations the food was visible, you would be served by a staff member wearing a mask and no food was self-select. One of the days we also had a floating breakfast - had never necessarily thought about this before but had seen them posted a lot on Instagram.

At lunchtimes, we would invariably just have a snack lunch poolside, or eat in the pool bar & restaurant - there was a great choice of food from snacks, starters and main courses with a full vegetarian selection. With a full breakfast after a late start some mornings, we might also just skip lunch altogether and wait for the delicious dinners. 

On arriving at the main (Losean) restaurant for breakfast every morning there was a board advising what special dinner option there was apart from the routine (a la carte option) at Losean every night. This could be served in either the Sushi Room down near the beach/pool, in the Curieuse Restaurant (again adjacent to the pool) or on the beach. Options while we were there was a Bollywood Night (great choice of indian starters, salads, curries including lots of vegetarian options, a tandoor section with a proper naan clay oven, then a full selection of indian desserts); Tapas night, Crab-shack and clam night, Lobster and seafood on the beach, Sushi Night etc.

As a vegetarian, I had no problems whatsoever - normally there was a great choice of food and the menus could be adjusted accordingly, the only (slight) issue we had was on Tapas night which was meant to be served as a full menu selection, albeit most of the options were meat or seafood. It was no problem however, I was given the Losean (main) restaurant vegetarian menu and was able to select from there, and the food being brought to the other restaurant.

For drinks, there was the pool bar open throughout the day and evening and also the Danzil Bar Lounge under the main reception and adjacent to Losean. There was a great selection of cocktails and gin selections (a personal favourite) in all restaurants too. Service overall was great, just one night there seemed to be a whole series of problems in Losean (air-conditioning wasn’t working, so maybe everyone was just ‘angsty’) and so many tables were complaining. Our only complaint that night was getting spaghetti carbonara when in fact I’d ordered a vegetarian pasta from the vegetarian menu, and the ridiculous length of time it took to have each course served. This was not representative or breakfast every morning, nor dinner on other nights.

Facilities & Service

There was a great choice of things to do - as much as you wanted to do, or just sit back and chill. Good choice of treatments at the spa (and exceptional location) as well as the gym which you could book in advance, and this had the most amazing view. The day was split into a morning and afternoon sessions; Category 1 and 2 country residents would alternate on each day. Each villa had its own pool on the outside deck, most with incredible views, but there was also a dual-level (massive) pool down at the beach. You could borrow bikes from adjacent to the main pool and although much of the resort was very hilly (where all the villas were located, and best accessed by the plentiful supply of hotel buggies to and from the restaurants, pool etc.) there were still paths around the resort that were good for cycling, as well as investigating the nearby areas once you were out of the quarantine period.

The beach was well serviced with loungers and canopies, and also had a big selection of watersport options like paddle boarding, snorkelling and kayaking; all dependent on sea conditions. If you play chess there is a large-scale outdoor chess board and Petanque court. I’m also writing a separate blog post on what it’s like spending a quarantine week here (heads up, it was no imposition) and this has lots more details of things you can in the resort.

Service throughout the resort was incredible - everyone was very friendly from reception to the buggy staff (with the hilly location, buggies were used a lot); all restaurant staff so helpful and particularly too in the Spa. The villa was serviced to perfection each morning, everywhere in the hotel was exceptionally clean and felt particularly safe Covid-wise (gym too which I went to a few times - perfectly sanitized after each use, with the most amazing ocean views). As nice as it was to have the private space of the villa, the pool restaurant, bar and pool lounger service was excellent during the day too - toilets there were maintained to an incredibly high standard of cleanliness throughout the day.

ThePrivateTraveller’s top tips (any areas for improvement?):

  • If you’re allocating guests a temporary villa, let them know it’s temporary so they’re not hugely let down by being allocated what they surmise is a very inferior choice.

  • May sound minor, but trying to sign checks and add gratuities on a woven folio is problematic.

  • Not necessarily specific to this resort or hotel, but some do seem to handle the issue much better - many of the prime sunloungers (double bed style) at both the main pool and beach would be reserved from early morning with a bag, book, shoes etc. and then be left unattended for hours on end. It was a large resort but not 100% full when we were there and with each villa having their own pool deck, this ‘lounger-bagging’ seemed a bit unnecessary.

ThePrivateTraveller’s absolute highlights:

  • Food - great selection and choices, especially for a vegetarian, excellent standard. Only had one issue when we went to the Tapas night and there was nothing for a vegetarian (some resorts always try to establish this from the off, or pre-arrival) - no problem though, I was able to order from an extensive dedicated vegetarian menu from the main restaurant.

  • Spa - decent choice of treatments (albeit quite limited with Covid restrictions) in a stunning location. Personal choice was an ocean-view spa suite (not air-conditioned, but open on three sides for natural cooling). You can read the detailed spa review here from my alter-ego This Man’s Journal. As well as a great deep-tissue massage, we also went back for a reflexology foot massage which was excellent too. The location of the spa rooms were exceptional as was the service.

  • Views - we did have some mixed weather, which was to be expected for December, but the views from the (second) villa were amazing and having the private pool there too was just exceptional.

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