This article was updated on September 21 - Ed.
TRAVELLERS from South Africa are finally welcome back in Seychelles, and a new all-inclusive and ‘exclusive resort’ option by Club Med is ready and waiting.
Club Med Seychelles on Sainte Anne opened at the end of March, and at last South Africans can visit after just being removed from Seychelles’ ‘red list’, see here.
Sainte Anne is a picturesque island inside a protected marine nature reserve and its proximity to Mahé is a big selling point, as just a 15-minute transfer by boat is required.
The property, formerly a Beachcomber-branded resort, is owned by the New Mauritius Hotels group and €70m (R1,2bn) has been spent on renovations and the restructuring of the resort.
Interim MD Club Med Southern Africa, Olivier Perillat-Piratoine, said capacity had increased to 300 rooms during the revamp. “It is indeed now accessible to South Africans and, yes, we will start to actively market it to our direct customers as well as our travel agencies.”
New features
Club Med Seychelles is part of the Exclusive Collection and is positioned as an all-inclusive option for families and active couples. All-inclusive packages have traditionally been very scarce in Seychelles.
Accommodation includes a mix of Superior and Deluxe Rooms (with an outdoor verandah) and Suites, some with sea views and a private pool. There is childcare for children from the age of two, which Club Med described as another unique selling point.
There are plenty of ‘eco activities’ and trails on the island, as well as two restaurants, three bars, a pool, Reef Beach Lounge and ‘Zen Zone’ pool, hammam, yoga studio and library.
With COVID-19 in mind, Club Med has introduced several product changes and health and safety solutions at its resort properties, including more GOs (Gentils Organisateurs) to supervise children in smaller groups.
Rates vary depending on departure, however Club Med’s website showed seven nights, all- inclusive, from R38 148 per adult based on double occupancy, for travel October 2-9, 2021. Sports, entertainment and activities are included but the price excludes flights.
In May 2019, Travel News Weekly reported that Club Med had a Memorandum of Agreement with Tongaat-Hulett for the development of the first Club Med in South Africa on the southern side of the Umhlali River overlooking the ocean on the KZN North Coast. At the 2019 Indaba, it was announced that the development would open for business in 2022. Perillat-Piratoine said no further updates on this development were available, although the project is still in the pipeline.
