Reviews of Banyan Tree Resort, Mahe

Wonderful site with complete privacy in the bungalows overlooking the rocks and sea. Beautiful sandy beach. Area very safe.Choice of restaurants attached to hotel.Breakfasts good but sometimes the food could be improved in evening.Very tied to area for eating but made up by privacy and particularly friendly staff. We used Air Seychelles direct flight which was very covenient and stayed 5 nights.

We booked through Seyexclusive.com and found them to be very knowledgeable and very quick with their e-mails. They couldn't do enough for us and this continued throughout our trip with their partners Creole Travel Services.



We arrived on my birthday and they had made a cake and I was given two free complimentary spa treatments, as well as champagne in the room. We opted for a massage and it has to be the best I have ever experienced from little bowls of flowers on the floor to look at to the untouched granite boulders in your massage room. Unforgettable.



We had an amazing view overlooking the beach called intendance which is just out of this world and also deserted completely. Infact one morning we went for a walk and another couple was on our beach.....how rude! We were used to not sharing our walks with anyone! Even though the beach was quiet we always felt so safe and there is no one hassling you to buy anything like in the Caribbean. I like not being asked to get my hair braided, probably because I think it looks awful when you’re in your 40's!



Well, I also have to agree with all the comments above. If you can just afford to go then don't go because you will be looking at the prices constantly and it will ruin your holiday. You can spend there so make sure you have enough room on your cards before you go. I did feel like a celebrity even though I'm not one.



The rooms are spotless and each room has its own pool so you don't see many people leaving their rooms all day and there aren't many by the main pool.



All in all this was a magical experience and we loved every second of it!

We visited the Banyan Tree for our Honeymoon in May/June 2005.



We chose the Banyan Tree after seeing pictures on their website and finding there are only 47 thatched villas in the resort, hoping for privacy, relaxation and our own piece of paradise, and we were not disappointed!



On arrival we were greeted with an ice cold glass of ginger tea and a refreshing face cloth (even at 6am it was very hot)! Once our room was ready and our tea finished, we were driven to our thatched villa by the sea, (only steps away!) in a buggy and shown around whilst our cases arrived.



There are 4 types of villa overall but we had upgraded to a deluxe beach villa, contained within a walled garden, the room was stunning and serene with a "Happy Honeymoon welcome" sign on the bed in palm leaves, flowers everywhere, a bottle of champagne and fruit platter for the occasion, not to mention the relaxation CD playing in the background in addition to the scented oils and incense stick burning a relaxing/romantic aroma in to the room.



The villa consisted of a lounge area, huge bed, twin vanity, dressing area, writing desk, mini bar, day bed an indoor steam room/shower and along with many towels they even provided robes, slippers and a toiletry bag containing essentials (more room in your case for other things)! The room was done twice each day, incorporating flowers everywhere possible, and a morning message and evening gift each on the bed!



Outside the villa, we had our own infinity pool, (cleaned daily) Jacuzzi, massage pavilion, dining area, private garden shower two areas with double loungers, one of which lay in our own stretch of garden leading directly to the stunning white sands of Intendence Bay to our private lounging area on the sands. (Beware of the huge crabs though, footwear is recommended)!



The resort was beautiful, the staff were so friendly and could not do enough for you, the food was excellent as was the service. A stunning, wonderful place for a Honeymoon or special occasion. There is nothing like opening your sliding doors each morning to be an amazing view, soft white sands and the ocean waves peeping through your private garden, whilst the sun glistens on the ripples of your private pool.



The only words of warning I would give are that though the spa and beauty salon though wonderful and relaxing with excellent views of the ocean, the staff are lovely but they do speak very little English and so confusion can occur when dealing with oils, and having to be completely unclothed it can be off putting and dangerous if words are misunderstood. Also this is not a resort for just any kind of holiday, it is a total luxury retreat and so is to be expected as one, food is a la carte and very expensive so ensure plenty of money or a credit card are available to you!



One other plus point that confirms the beauty, romance and service at the Banyan Tree, is the fact it has been a Honeymoon destination for two well known celebrity couples, and stays from individual celebrities (that only I know of, there could be more) in just the last few years!

Quite simply the best holiday I have ever had. I was the lucky winner of a competition and so the flight and accommodation was paid for but the memories I got from this stay are priceless.



The Banyan Tree is not a hotel it is a collection of villas, all furnished to the highest standards and carefully laid out so you are guaranteed privacy. Our villa came complete with it's own plunge pool and a glass walled shower that looked out over palm trees down the blue-green ocean beyond.



The staff were very attentive but also extremely friendly - the gardeners who were trimming the palms chopped down coconuts for us and cracked them open so we got the very freshest coconut possible.



The island of Mahe itself was paradise - every corner would produce a gasp from us at the incredible water which was fringed with exotic trees. The huge granite boulders that could be found everywhere added an extra touch of interest and awe.



Exploring the island was easy in our hire car and it was so was to find a deserted beach to while away the days. Except that the beaches weren't really deserted with their crab inhabitants and waters full of amazing fish.



Before going I'd seen many pictures of the Seychelles and couldn't imagine that such a place was real. Seeing it for real just took my breath away ever single day I was there.



To be able to experience such a paradise island in such luxury as the Banyan Tree was the memory of a lifetime.