Camping is not permitted throughout the Seychelles

Although the Seychelles have been a popular tourist destination for more than 10 years and now offer the full range of accommodation from self-catering apartments to luxury hotels, careful planning has ensured that the islands have retained the astonishing beauty and quiet charm that attracted the first tourists. Right from the start, the Government decreed that no new building could be higher than the surrounding palm trees, with the result that big-city levels of comfort and convenience have been achieved in thoroughly Seychellois settings. It is advisable to confirm reservations with a deposit, particularly during the high season from December to January and in July and August.

All recently built hotels come well up to international standards and there are numerous large resort hotels equipped with air conditioning, private bathrooms, swimming pools and full sporting facilities. Older hotels and guest houses on the smaller islands may lack some sophistication, but their charming seclusion has long recommended them to those seeking complete peace and privacy: Somerset Maugham once sought out the quietest so that he could write a novel without interruption. Many hotels and guest houses are former plantation houses modestly modernised and run by the resident owner. Thatched-roof chalets and guest houses, built in the local style, are to be found mainly on outlying islands. The Seychelles Hotel Association comprises some 92 hotels on the islands. More information is available from the Association. For up-to-date prices, contact the Tourist Office (see Top Things To Do).

Self-catering units are available on the main islands. For details, contact the Tourist Office. Available at Mahé and Praslin.

Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association
1st Floor, Bodco Building, Harbour Trading Estate, Victoria, Seychelles
Tel: 610 210.
Website: www.shta-seychelles.com