Banyan Tree Resort

Stayed there for 1 night (husband, wife, boy) prior to an early flight next morning at the end of a holiday back to Europe. Came from North Island. Did not obtain the booked room, a villa at the beach. Were called the night before that there was an overbooking: an unfavourable start. We were dissapointed to be crammed into a relatively small setting (we just came from a lonley island with a vast villa). The hotel's concept is it to cultivate a "natural" "oriental" style, whatever Western city dwellers expect this to be. The service at the reception was very good. Waiting time for a sandwich in the bar was 60 minutes. Waiting time for the dinner was 50 minutes. We had made a reservation. The reservation was not known when we arrived at the restaurant. If somebody just leaves an aircraft from a wintery place in Europe and steps out of the hotel's balcony he will be impressed. The other way round, back from a onely island as an intermediate to Europe, we found it massively overpriced and crowded.

Dabbled in staying at the luxury hotels since this was our honeymoon and absolutely loved it. We had our own private villa complete with our own garden, hot tub and pool, not to mention the beach was right at our doorstep!! The accommodations were just amazing, both the bedroom, bathroom and even the closet. I don't know what else to say, its the Banyan Tree!! We ended not having the greatest weather, but you can't blame that on the Banyan Tree.

We stayed at the Banyan Tree for 2 nights at the end of our honeymoon after 3 nights on Denis (amazing) & 3 nights at Hilton Northolme (terrible). Banyan was very luxurious with great service, yet respectful of guests' privacy (unlike Hilton Northolme). We spent most of the time in our Beachfront Villa (108) - beautiful beach, luxurious villa with private pool & jacuzzi, good in-villa menue. The spa is great too. Will definitely go to another Banyan Tree.

We stayed here for 5 nights, towards the end of July as part of our 3 week honeymoon. Following 10 days in Africa doing Safari this was pure luxury!! Our Beach Villa had recently been refurnished and was of very high standards. It was beautiful and immaculate. You could stay here all day. We ate out for 3 nights at each one of the restaurants. We fully enjoyed the set menus, which allowed us to sample most of the food. We also benefited from having a honeymoon dinner in our villa. Room Service was excellent. When we arrived our room was not quite ready so we had to wait for an hour but were offered a free lunch… The spa is fantastic we completely indulged and visited a number of times. The beach is very beautiful although it was too rough to swim but great to walk back on to the room, following a divine dinner. We took a car around Mahe, we wanted to go and visit the new hotel Maia; but unfortunately you need to book to go in advance. Our stay here was followed by 5 nights at Denis island, which although is very beautiful is not as luxurious as the Banyan Tree, we would definitely visit another Banyan Tree..

We stayed in one of the new two pool villas and it is the most luxurious experience I've had. The staff were friendly and attentive, the rooms and facilities were perfect and maintined well and the food was delicious. The location, and the facilities, can't be faulted and my wife and I had excellent treatments at the Spa. Well done Banyan Tree.

We stayed at the Banyan Tree hotel 24th - 29th July 2007 having read the reports prior to our visit we were a bit apprehensive, especially as we live in Dubai and have high expectations as a result of the 5 star treatment you get in the hotels here. As you are frequently told you should not listen to rumour and make your own mind up. We arrived at the hotel at 0745 (check-in not until 2pm) we were warmly greeted and invited to take breakfast. We were then offered a day room to freshen up after the journey and at 11a.m. shown to our room. We had booked the Intendance Villa as the pictures looked marvellous, although a little more expensive than the hillside or beach villas it was certainly worth it! The room was amazing and a view to die for. The shower overlooked the bay (OK nobody could see in), the bedroom had the same panoramic view which could be enjoyed from the window seat, an outside dining area, swimming pool then stairs leading down to the private massage deck, double sun lounger and jacuzzi, truly amazing. The room was cleaned twice a day and the pool/jacuzzi cleaned every morning. Other than breakf ast on most days we would have room service delivered - yes it did take 45 minutes of which you were told - but other than a fast food outlet I cannot think of anywhere else that can deliver room fresh food in a shorter time - especially when you are located at the top of a hill! The staff were very friendly and couldnt do more for you. I have absolutely no complaints about this Hotel and I would return and I highly recommend villa 507. Although the hotel caters for children I would not recommend it for young families.

My wife and I stayed in the Banyan Tree for 4 nights at the start of July on our honeymoon. We have very mixed views on this place and it seems other guests have had exactly the same, although at least everything in our villa seemed to function properly. We booked a beachfront pool villa (#201) Positives - great location set right next to a gorgeous beach, which was great for an after-breakfast stroll - very peaceful - quiet and private in the beachfront villas so can laze around without being disturbed or over-looked - jacuzzi outdoors was excellent as was the pool - staff in the restaurants were very friendly as were the cleaning staff Negatives - could be an absolutely fantastic place but seems like it's a little dated and in need of a bit of an overhaul - very limited for restaurants - what they have is nice (Saffron very good) but little in the way of variety - sea at this time of year too rough to swim in - need to hire a car and go up to the other end of the island where it is more sheltered Overall we are glad that we experienced the Banyan Tree. We would consider staying in another one of their properties, but would not feel the need to go back to this place again. Can thoroughly recommend Creole Travel Services for transfers and tours - they are excellent.

We attended the Banyan Tree Seychelles in May/June 2007 in order to get married there and for our much-deserved honeymoon. We have stayed in some excellent hotels over the years in various places and chose the Seychelles because (a) you can get legally married there, unlike the Maldives, and (b) because it looked so beautiful. We chose this hotel because of the chain's good reputation and our experience previously staying at the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh where the spa is run by the Banyan Tree and is excellent. We were in no way disappointed. We had very helpful and timely communication with the hotel in response to our queries before staying there. It is very difficult to fault this hotel in many respects and I find it hard to understand the previous reviews which criticise it in several ways. - our check in was smooth, as pain free as it can be after the flight (with Air Seychelles - whose flights were being operated by Blue Panorama - wouldn't recommend them!) and made as easy as possible - our room (506 I think) was excellent. Not the largest room/suite we've stayed in, but a lovely, clean, comfortable room, nice outside area, good views over the hillside down to the beach and good facilities, including the facility to make decent cafetiere coffee (why don't more 5 star hotels enable this?) - excellent facilities for golf-buggy transport around the resort. This makes us sound lazy, but it is hot, humid and hilly. You will appreciate this facility, which is available quickly by calling from the villa or by picking up a buggy from the reception area - the wedding organisation was excellent. The organiser herself was very helpful and we were given every opportunity to make the arrangements we wanted and to change decisions we made on our tired arrival! - in addition, given that it rained on the day of our wedding (tropical rain - not at all unpleasant!) we were able to change the venue for the wedding ceremony and reception. We had intended to marry and celebrate with everyone on the beach but instead married in the covered gazebo area of the suite we were upgraded to for a couple of nights and allowed to use the new restaurant for the reception. This restaurant had not been used at all by that stage but has apparently now opened and is a beautiful setting. It was beautifully decorated and the staff could not be faulted for the way they dealt with us. - we were unusual in 2 respects - we were staying there for 2 weeks and had another 14 guests joining us for the wedding. We could not all have been treated any better. - the resort hosts could not be faulted (save for one respect which is one of the minor complaints below) and were able to arrange anything for us on sufficient notice. - other resort staff as well seemed to be able to remember you after just one or two encounters and were friendly, knew your name (even after getting married, when I didn't automatically remember I was a Mrs.!) - the wedding co-ordinator was very attentive, not only for the wedding itself but especially the day after the wedding when the groom needed the wedding ring removed (!?!) due to an allergic type reaction. She was exceptionally helpful and very efficient at sorting out anything for us. - the hotel manager and other management staff were also very helpful, friendly and did not treat guests as simple guests. There is a twice weekly drinks reception to meet them, they remember you and are willing to help with anything they can, including being able to ask for any menu items which are unusual provided you give enough notice! (24 hours seemed to be enough) - the hotel can make arrangements for other activities. The round island private tour was excellent, they could organise diving for the groom, arranged transport or taxis (their own transport was sometimes cheaper than local taxis) and help out in any way, it seemed - the food is excellent - not just the wedding reception, but every restaurant and room service. The in-villa BBQ was superb, Saffron restaurant very good, breakfast very good and the Jardin d'Epices excellent. Service in all respects was superb. - the spa absolutely cannot be faulted. Excellent setting, therapists, packages and general set up. I had the best pedicure ever before the wedding and both me and the groom enjoyed a half day "pre-wedding" pampering treat the day before the wedding. If only the blissful feeling could be easily transferred back home! - this is the only 5 star hotel we think we've ever stayed in where the bill was not wrong/messed up in some way on check out. This sounds like a sad thing to say but it can spoil the end of your holiday if it's wrong. That said, there were some very minor things which could have been better, there are everywhere. (until we open our own hotel!) - there was an occassion when the groom went diving and it turned out he would be a lot longer than expected - having rung the hotel to ask that I was told, I didn't get the message until after he got back, a few hours late, and after I'd been down to reception to ask for them to check with the dive centre whether there was a problem. It was a bit worrying, but something which was obviously a mistake and which can happen any time he goes diving and is late back. - there was a day or so when the phones in the hotel didn't work - we had to walk down the hill rather than get a buggy! Again one of those things, which was quickly sorted out and gave us at least some exercise. - on occasions some items were not replaced in the room with hosuekeeping - e.g. bathrobes and sun towels. Again, very quickly dealt with and a mistake to start with. - coffee/mini-bar facilities are better at Hilton Maldives, better coffee machine and selection of drinks. Many 5 star hotels have much worse facilities that this though. I simply cannot fault this hotel in any significant respect and certainly can't understand the previous negative reviews. I can see that maybe some villas might need some redecoration/ renovation and I personally would not choose a beach villa, since I enjoyed the privacy of the hillside villa! The new double-room type villas to which we were upgraded for 2 nights for the wedding were superb, with excellent butler service, good facilities and nice settings. The hillside villas have much more privacy and it depends upon what you want from your time away. I would certainly recommend this location for your wedding/ honeymoon or frankly any much-needed relaxing break. We will certainly be back as soon as possible!

We came here for our honemymoon and spent 6 nights at Sainte Anne resort and 6 nights at the Banyan tree. It was great to have the contrast between the 2 resorts. Banyan Tree - After a wonderful stay at Saintet Anne Resort, we were not disappointed by our beautiful ‘villa by the rocks’ (210) at Banyan tree. It is like staying in a rainforest. Our villa was not overlooked by anyone, and had amazing views of the sea. It was worth paying extra for the Jacuzzi (and bigger garden area) because in the middle of the night, you can have champagne in the Jacuzzi watching the stars (the sky is so clear, you can see so many stars). The club cars here are quicker when you call. The in-villa BBQ is a must with your own private chef/waiter, and the food is great. The new Creole restaurant is lovely, and the fruit bat curry is very tasty. The spa here is picture perfect with secluded villas, soothing music and incense. I would recommend an excursion of the island with a driver. Some really beautiful places to see, and a trip to see the Giant tortoises are a must. We didn’t bother to any island hopping, but we heard from other guests that the organised trips were rushed and not worth the money. Overall though, we did prefer Sainte Anne Resort. It was friendlier and more welcoming.

Please read this review as we do not want anyone else to go through the terrible experience we had at the Banyan Tree Seychelles. Below I enclose a high level overview of actual events which I want readers to be very mindful of (with the ultimate aim) of helping you to make an objective decision as to weather or not the Banyan Tree is the right resort for you to reside at. Before we went on holiday we communicated/documented with the hote that we wanted the following items to cater for our young child; a.) Cot b.) High chair c.) Experienced/qualified nanny Before I departure I took one last look at the latest reviews from Trip advisor and I noted a poor review from a couple who highlighted how poor the condition of their villa was, ie: broken items, dirty pools and poor service. With this in mind, I personally contacted the hotel to see assurances and a commitment that we would not share a similar experience/situation in relation to the condition and quality of our villa/stay. Upon arrival to the resort we were greeted in the rececption and I noted that the carpet was filthy and the overall condition of said reception area was very poor and is in dire need of decoration. We were introduced to our nanny and when I questioned her experience/qualification, it was highglighted that she had no qualifications, had very limited experience and her offical job role at the hote was NOT being a nanny and she volunterred to do this role to earn additional monies. NOT Happy with matters as a key condition of our stay at the hote was their ability to provide an experienced/qualified nanny. Upon arrival to our villa, I noted that the pool is filthy!, When we entered the property, I inspected the cot and one corner of the cot borke in two when I applied light pressure to it! We also requested a high chair - nothing was to been seen for a further three days whilst the hotel made one!?!?! As the wooden chair they provided us was NOT a high chair! I decided to have a shower inside the villa and when I turned the shower on, the shower head fell off! I proceeded to use the outside shower and when I turned the shower on the hot tap handle fell off! I therefore decided to use the jacuzzi, upon entering the jacuzzi, I noticed the water was cold, so I hit the heater button and guess what...the heater did not work! All of the above items occured within the first two hours of the stay! Following on from this, the following 'other' oversights were delivered by the hotel; 1.) average time to deliver a drink to your room 45 mins 2.) Their laundry service is poor, most of our clothes came back dirty 3.) their food inventory is terrible, I had several occassions wherby I made requests for items such as, Mars bar, chocolate cookie, bananna, yoghurt, milkshake and the hotel could not deliver this as they had none in stock! 4.) Gernal poor service by the staff, who generally lack enthusiasm 5.) Conceirge/front office team is the worst ever, real lack of experience/poor communication in this department 6.) hotel attempted to charge me for champagne (which I did not drink). I have put together a document of my findings with pictures and its my intention to be forwarding this onto the CEO of Banyan Tree as the impact/loss of business this resort will have on group is significant and I do not want any other traveller to have the experience we had at this resort. For the record, our villa was 116, for any futre couples staying there, the villa should be ok as I completed extensive trouble shooting.