A Dream Come True
After several unsuccessful attempts to organise the perfect holiday in the Seychelles, we finally managed it thanks to SeyVillas! From choosing the safest, most comfortable and quickest flights possible to selecting our accommodation and the ideal half-board option.
We departed from Malpensa on the evening of 29 November, bound for Abu Dhabi, where we arrived perfectly on time. There was just enough time to transfer from one area to another and have a look at the luxurious duty-free shops before boarding our flight to Mahé. There was a slight delay on departure, but we arrived on the main island almost on time. The welcome service was impeccable, and within minutes we were at Villa Dorado, which we had chosen for its good value for money and location.
Unfortunately, the proverbial Seychellois welcome was nowhere to be found. The ‘legendary’ Martha was rather cold and distant, and her attitude remained the same throughout our holiday, despite our willingness to help with small chores such as clearing the table, making the beds and trying to create as little mess as possible. We never made any requests either. It was a shame and the only jarring note in an otherwise impeccable experience.
Of course, we immediately had to set foot on the fine white sand of the beach, which begins right by the Dorado’s terrace, and swim in the crystal-clear, wonderfully warm water.
During our stay, we alternated days of relaxation with days spent discovering the many beaches that appeared before us around every bend. They might all look similar at first, but each has its own distinct personality. We therefore visited Anse Royale several times, partly because it was within easy walking distance and had a fairly lively centre. I would also recommend its shops for good-quality purchases at reasonable prices; they were certainly better than those in Victoria.
One day, we visited Victoria, the capital, with its lovely waterfront, shopping area, market and several interesting buildings.
That same day, we went to Beau Vallon, the ‘Beach’ of Mahé. It was beautiful, spacious and colourful. On another outing, we visited Anse Takamaka, the beach I liked best. Another day, we went to Baie Lazare and then continued on to Anse a La Mouche. We organised all our outings independently and travelled on the local buses. They were wonderfully typical, extremely efficient and frequent, and we spent less than €15 in total. Fifteen euros... unbelievable.
A few words about the accommodation: Villa Dorado is a lovely villa with five guest bedrooms, and it is clean and very well maintained. Its greatest strength is its location, right on the seafront and set on the beautiful beach of Pointe au Sel, which we practically had to ourselves. Breakfast was served on the terrace, with a truly striking view. Admittedly, both the quantity and variety could have been better, but perhaps Martha was simply having an off week.
By contrast, the treatment we received at Crown Beach, a traditional hotel next to the Dorado where dinner was served, was unforgettable. The cuisine was certainly worthy of a top chef. Waiting times were long, but the dishes were elaborate, fresh, delicious and not excessively expensive. As part of the price paid to the Dorado, we could also use the facilities Crown Beach provided for its guests, including the swimming pool, sun loungers, canoes, showers, toilets and day rooms, which were particularly useful on the day of departure. Personally, given the very small difference in price, I would recommend Crown Beach: kind and helpful staff, a rich and plentiful breakfast, and modern rooms worthy of a luxury hotel.
We departed on the evening of 7 December. The flights were on time and comfortable, and both Alitalia and Etihad proved extremely efficient. When we arrived in Milan, we were greeted by bitterly cold weather, made even more noticeable by the contrast with Mahé’s equatorial temperatures. All that remained was the wonderful memory of a splendid holiday, perfect in every way, and a great desire to return.
