Personally, I think that the Seychelles islands are a perfect holiday get-away break. If you are in search of sunshine, the best beaches in the world and fantastic food, this beautiful jewel in the Indian Ocean won’t let you down.
Direct flights from London to Mahé with British Airways are running from March this year, so there’s no excuse not to make this paradise resort the top of your bucket list.
The five-star Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare is a good choice when booking a family-friendly hotel in the Seychelles and during my island hopping travels I spent a night checking out this five-star resort.
Where is it?
Located in the exclusive south-end of Mahé, it is nestled in a secluded bay at the foothills of a mountain range.
It’s situated on an 800m stretch of uninterrupted white-sand beach, just 30 minutes from the international airport, the resort is ideally located.
It’s suited for day trips and excursions, yet offers much in the way of exclusivity and privacy for those looking to get off the tourist track and relax.
Accommodation
We booked a Sea View Garden Room where there was a split-level bedroom and lounge with a sumptuous four poster bed, a relaxation area with a sofa and a television. Although there wasn’t a bath, there was a spacious power shower and lots of large fluffy towels and luxury toiletries.
The small private terrace overlooked the tropical gardens and it was just a one minute walk out to reach the beautiful sandy beach. Other room options to choose from include Hill View or Sea View rooms or the one or two bedroom luxury suites which also have private balconies and terraces.
Restaurants and Bars
There’s no shortage of where to eat or drink at the hotel and you can find authentic Creole food using authentic recipes and local ingredients. You can also enjoy a wide variety of international cuisines.
We ate at the Café Lazare restaurant and enjoyed their themed night Catch of the Day buffet which was a fabulous opportunity to be introduced to the Seychelles’ finest and freshest fish. Popular fish in the Seychelles include Grouper, Yellowfin Tuna, Job Fish, Wahoo and Snapper.
We really enjoyed the casual beachside atmosphere at the Windsong Beach Restaurant which was perfect for an after dinner drink listening to the waves rolling in.
For fine dining, try L’Indochine. There’s a beautiful menu where you can order anything from sushi and Australian wagyu beef to steamed grouper or Black Angus steak. Tapas, sushi, a special Gin drinks menu and live music can be found at the Planters Bar overlooking the swimming pool.
The hotel will also arrange private dinners beside the beach on the shores of the resort’s private lagoon.
Good for Couples
If you wish for a relaxing holiday, Kempinski offers just that. The quiet and white-sand beach is perfect for sunbathing; the sea is warm and crystal clear for swimming and snorkelling.
Onsite, there is a PADI dive centre, offering complimentary snorkelling gear, stand up paddle boarding and surfing. Also there is hill-top yoga overlooking Baie Lazare, an Olympic-length outdoor swimming pool, a well-equipped air conditioned gym and tennis courts.
You can take advantage of Kempinski The Spa where treatments take place in the traditional bungalows overlooking the tropical gardens.
Happy Families
The Kids’ Club is the perfect place to entertain the children. It’s dedicated to ensuring their happiness and fun, open from seven days a week from morning until sundown for children aged 4-12 years free of charge. It has a range of activities, like feeding giant tortoises, dancing and arts and crafts.
Exploring
There’s plenty to do on the island and Kempinski’s Lady in Red is on hand to help you organise any activities and excursions. Summit Mount Kempinski or visit Morne Seychellois National Park where you can find coastal mangrove forests and a variety of wildlife. Take a trip to the Takamaka Rum factory or go deep sea fishing or explore the capital Victoria and see the ‘mini’ Big Ben.
How to Book:
For the best available rates, visit www.kempinski.com/seychelles or contact reservations.seychelles@kempinski.com directly.
Cost for one week for two people staying in Sea View Room (B&B): GBP 1390
Cost for one week for a family of four staying in Sea View Room (B&B): GBP 2775 for two rooms (not including flights)
Taxi: Gilly Mein Tel: 00 (248) 281 6760 or email gillymein@gmail.com
For more information about the Seychelles contact:
Seychelles Tourist Office, 130-132 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9SA London
Tel: 0207 730 0700 | seychelles@uksto.co.uk | www.seychelles.travel
I was a guest of Seychelles Tourist Office and Kempinski Seychelles. All my opinions are my own.