How not to pay for hotel in Seychelles on honeymoon, Xiang's trip report from Hilton Labriz Resort
This week we publish the review of Xiang, one of our readers, who decided to use the points to book a [...]
This week we publish the review by Xiang, one of our readers, who decided to use the points to book a resort in the Seychelles in On the occasion of her honeymoon.
In this article:
The Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort is one of 4 Hilton Resorts in the Seychelles. The property is located on a private island, which gives it a very special charm. The Seychelles is undoubtedly a true vacation paradise, regardless of which island you are on. Of course, the experience is especially beautiful on the most private islands.
Unlike the other 3 Hilton hotels in Seychelles (Hilton Northolme, LXR Mango House and DoubleTree), Labriz Resort is located on a large but completely uninhabited island apart from the hotel, which consists largely of a national park. This secluded place may not be for everyone, but there is no better place for a relaxing vacation.
This is exactly why I chose the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort for my honeymoon.
I booked the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort directly through Hilton using points, points I've earned over the past few years, staying only in Hilton hotels. The hotel costs 90,000 points per night, but as a Hilton Honors member the fifth night is free. This brings the price down to "only" 360,000 points for five nights.
Using points therefore allowed me to save approximately 3,600 during my stay.
As a Hilton Diamond member instead of a Garden Villa, I was hoping for some upgrade, some Beach Villa. But unfortunately, I found the facility ungenerous, instead of the free upgrade, they only offered me a villa on the beach with a difference of 150€ per night, which I declined. In any case, other benefits were there, for example, free breakfast in a separate restaurant and a small welcome gift, plus free bike rental, kayak and snorkeling gear.
A review of Labriz must also include travel information. This is because. the hotel is not so easy to reach. If, like me, you arrive at Mahé airport, you must first take a cab or transfer from the hotel to the pier. This belongs to the hotel and offers a lounge, and snacks and drinks are available for a fee.
The small port is not particularly interesting, but the boat to the hotel runs only 2 times a day, so it is normal for there to be some waiting time. So the crossing takes 45 minutes, and the ship is not particularly large nor particularly comfortable.
If you have a weak stomach, you need to be prepared, the sea is often rough. Of course, there is a charge for the trip to and from the hotel, as in all other hotels that offer this service. In this case the cost is 200€ per person.
Upon arriving at the hotel, we were taken directly to our villa by golf cart without having to visit the reception.
The villa immediately attracted attention because of its size (88sqm). As soon as you enter the room you can already see the large bed with two bedside tables and a mosquito net on a small pedestal on the right. In front of the bed is a very large sofa with a small table.
Actually, breakfast at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort is served buffet style in the main restaurant, Cafe Dauban. The buffet is okay but nothing special. There are all the typical hot and cold options and a live cooking station.
However, here status pays off tremendously, because those with at least Hilton Gold status can have breakfast in the Italian restaurant Portobello. At first it doesn't seem particularly special, but only a handful of guests enjoy this benefit, you can also enjoy breakfast in complete privacy in a small pavilion with a fantastic view. The service is excellent and you pretty much get everything brought right to your table. My wife and I ordered many dishes from the menu. These included, for example, various egg dishes including Egg's Benedict.
A small bread basket was always available, even freshly squeezed juices and coffee were served right at the place. All in all, a truly amazing breakfast; the atmosphere and privacy alone are a dream. You can't have a better breakfast on vacation!
No meals were included in my rate (except breakfast, which was included for status), so we resorted to the a la carte menu. Prices at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz are very high due to the remote location.
A pizza costs about 20 euros, other seconds usually between 30 and 70 euros. A dinner can quickly cost 200 euros. Incidentally, we tried a poolside pizza, which was good but not outstanding. Instead, we were very satisfied in the local cuisine restaurant, despite the funny name for us Italians, (it is called Grann Kaz). The quality of food here was very good across the board, and the service was also of a high standard, although the wait for food was excessive. In the Italian restaurant at dinner, however, we were less satisfied, especially given the price over 30 euros per plate.
I really don't need many words, because Silhouette Island's beaches are simply wonderful. The photos speak for themselves! You can walk several kilometers along the beach and even leave the resort. I have never seen more than 10 people at once on the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.
Of course, there are many other options for relaxing besides the beach. The first is the swimming pool, which is located in the center of the resort: is pleasantly large and is ideal for both swimming and aperitifs, being in the middle of 2 bars. There is also a ping pong table, a place to play beach volleyball, tennis courts, padel, and of course a fitness room, which is not particularly large but is well equipped.
One annoying thing about this resort Is that they charge a "fee" to use these things. Which I don't like at all, especially because with prices from 500€ per night and not many activities to do.
All in all, I will long remember our stay at the Hilton Labriz as a true dream vacation. The hotel's location on a private island with incredibly beautiful beaches and fantastic nature in combination with a spacious and very beautiful villa ensure unforgettable memories. The excellent breakfast for guests with status is an added bonus. The other areas of the hotel are as good as one would expect from a Hilton.
The service was also friendly, but the prices of food, drinks and activities are unconvincing. Still, I would give 6 as a rating. Nice yes, but the non-upgrade (trying to sell me a higher category for 150€ per night), more the mentality of trying to make money from any activity (hiking 95€, padel court 80€ etc....) do not inspire me to return.
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