Praslin Hotels

self catering/full board accomodations: Islander Guesthouse

We truly enjoyed our stay at the Islander Guesthouse on Praslin. The restaurant there is very versatile and very good with the food prep. The accomodations are very basic but meet the needs totally. Daily cleaning is done in the bungalows. Beach access is just a short stroll away. Convenient to bus route (that takes a few days to learn the comings and goings of). There is a "supermarket" up the lane from the accomodations, but the pickings there are basic, if you want to self cater you will have to be very creative. Josianne, the concierge at the Islanders, is very accomodating and can arrange for any tours or trips you may want. She gave us good info on seeing the island, and arranged for us a trip to Aride Island, that was very outstanding. The chefs and service at the restaurant are outstanding. It is a very very relaxed place, and a true stress buster. You just have to give yourself time to hook up with the island state of mind. The rest of the island has some reststaurants and some shopping, but none as good as I had withing a walk. A good tourist shop very nearby on the main road. Sometimes, foodstuffs are hard to come by at the market or in Grand Anse, unless you have very basic needs. The people there are friendly, and most very good with English.This is NOT your typical touristy place. The beaches are outstanding, the hike to Anse Lazio is worth the sweat. Cab service is readily available if you need transportation, although we noticed a lot of folks hiring cars for their stay. You can get around, see the whole place by bus if you are patient, and the fare is very reasonable. We truly loved the Islander Guesthouse. They are a good value for the money for the accomodations and restaurant.

Unique Quality: A wonderful sunset at the beach each clear evening. A very good restaurant. Excellent staff for cleaning and daily service, with linens changed every couple days. The staff as a whole were very friendly and accomodating. Josianne, the concierge and manager, goes very far to make your holiday pleasurable. She is very skilled at arranging tours or side trips, and will accomodate your needs. Marieux, one of the servers/chefs at the restaurant, is very skilled with food preparation as well as the kitchen staff, and makes you welcome anytime. The octopus salad is outstanding, as well as the daily lunch specials, and the grilled lobster. The food at the restaurant is very good, reasonably priced, and full board can be arranged if you wish. The grounds are kept immaculately, with profuse and well tended blooming plants. The beach adjoining the property is very secluded, and whilst we were there, no sandflies (an issue on the other side of the island). Very convenient to the bus stop, the "supermarket" and the tourist shop. Shops want local currency, the accom. wants Euros, so be sure to change plenty of money either before or when you arrive. The 15 min. hop from Mahe to Praslin by plane (air seychelles) is the only way in but worth it for the views. All there is working for tourism, and it is not so touristy and pleasantly so. Do not come without a sense of adventure!