Sneak peekI'm posting from Hilton Labriz Resort located on Silhouette island, in the Seychelles.
I thought I would post my main takeaways and a few pics now, and hopefully follow up with a more detailed review in case anyone is interested.
Key takeaways:
- SEZ, Seychelles' main international airport, located on main island Mahé, is 6 hour direct flight from TLV. Multiple weekly flights available on El Al and Air Seychelles, and seasonal flights on Arkia. Prices currently start at around $400 return in economy.
- Although Silhouette island is the third largest of the Seychelles, 95% is protected natural reserve. So besides the hotel and couple dozen locals living there, the island is totally wild. The lush vegetation, diverse wildlife and beautiful hiking trails are definitely special. Some of the hikes are very rough and require a guide (and good physical conditions).
- Guests can get to Silhouette either through the shuttle boats twice daily for a 50mn ride (cost 70 euros per way IINM) or by helicopter for a 15mn ride from SEZ. I chose the latter
cost 630 euros per way for entire helicopter which can carry 4 passengers.
- Hilton Labriz is a beachfront villa-only resort, set on a 1.5km stretch of white-sand beach. The hotel is generous towards Hilton Gold and Diamonds. The most 'basic' villa is a Garden Villa, which cost 80k HH per night all year round (64k with 5th night free). Gold members automatically get upgraded to a Beachfront villa within 24h of booking, a very nice gesture IMHO. In addition, they allow to prepay for additional guaranteed upgrade at a significantly discounted rate. For example for the King Deluxe Beachfront, which is massive and has its own pool, I was quoted 180 euros per night for the upgrade when cash rate often go above 1000 euros per night. They also throw in nice perks for Gold and Diamond such as free snorkeling, kayaking and biking rentals. I was about to book the prepaid guaranteed upgrade, but then DW reminded me that our younger kid doesnt know how to swim, so we would constantly be worried about them falling into the pool. I don't regret not taking the upgrade since our kids love playing on the beach in front of our porch.
- The resort is very friendly towards kosher eaters. They are storing my massive cooler bag in their freezer and offered to warm up the meals on demand for free (which I declined since I have my own setup). I brought my own pan and they are happy to cook eggs for me at breakfast (HT to
@shmebeble). The executive chef offered to cook fish and vegetables in silver foil with me watching, in case I was interested.
- Prices are very reasonable. Coffee or soft drinks by the pool are around $3, cocktails $6 IINM. They have happy hours at the beachfront bar etc. For Gold and and Diamond they have a 'weekly' happy hour with complimentary drink - hey better than nothing.
- Overall it's a great resort. It's not luxurious per WA MLE standards but it's very authentic, eco-friendly, with greenery everywhere. My kids are having the time of their life - i can relax with DW on the villas' porch while they play on the sand etc. I also didn't see any Israeli fellow during our entire time here. And generally speaking we hardly saw anyone across the resort besides at breakfast, despite near full occupancy.
- Two small downsides: wifi is quite slow, I've been downloading at 70kbps - good enough for basic internet and Netflix. For those who need a negative PCR test to enter their home countries on the way back, tests across the Seychelles are expensive and cost around $180.
I'm posting a few pictures. The drone ones and the one from the villas are from Hilton, since I forgot to take pictures before unpacking, and since they have a strict no drones policy.
LY plane in SEZ
Our helicopter ride from SEZ to Silhouette
Hilton Labriz
Resort Map - it's an older one since they haven't published a new one but essentially the 'Beach Villa' are the Beachfront villas and the 'Ocean Pavillons' are the King Deluxe Beachfront - which I highly suggest for their great privacy.
Villas - Garden and Beachfront look the same, except for the location
View of the beach
Crystal clear waters
King Deluxe Beachfront
Resort
Pool