Hotel Méridien Barbarons

Directly on the seashore on the west coast of Mahé, in Grand Anse bay, 11 miles from Victoria, the Seychelles' capital. Expect 25 minutes for the transfer from the airport located 10 miles away.

The Meridien Barbarons has a kid's club, the Penguin Club, for the 6 to 12 years old, with numerous games and a sitter to look after them. The club is opened throughout the week except on Sunday. A free one hour hike is organised in the coconut plantation twice a week with a guide explaining botany and diverse interesting information on the surrounding environment. Among the many activities proposed, there are also Frisbee, racket, waterpolo, beach volley, snorkelling, canoe and pedalo boat. The hotel also has 2 tennis courts located near the kid's club, and a billiard table, a foosball, darts and a ping-pong table, in the gigantic lobby facing the ocean.
A free diving initiation course is offered at the swimming pool, 8 ft deep in the large pool. There is no diving club on the beach but a free shuttle conveys those who love the ocean to the best places on the island. However, a small snorkelling centre rents masks, flippers and tubas as well as bodysurf boards in consideration of a deposit.
From the Jacuzzi on the solarium terrace, you dominate the beach of the Barbarons.
In the evening, an orchestra plays at the Patchouli bar, in the lobby opposite the main restaurant, from 7 am to 11 pm. The themes vary, from jazz to Creole, with the talented Ralph, a famous musician in the whole archipelago.

Lodging advice

If you want a terrace or private balcony with a view of the sea, select the superior, deluxe rooms, or one of the suites, all located on highground. The standard rooms, at the garden level, overlook the swimming pool.

Sitting on the edge of a superb lagoon, the Meridien Barbarons consists of 8 one storey buildings, displayed in an L in the middle of a coconut plantation. In the middle, you will see large shaded lawns and a big rectangular 82 foot long swimming pool completed with a kid's pool. Built in 1976, the Barbarons was entirely renovated in summer 2005. Impressive by its size and its wooden roof, the lobby is quite beautiful with its large settees, its bar and its dapper colours. In the evening, fountains, water and light games come alive bringing out its splendour. The main restaurant is located in the extension facing directly the ocean. At the end of the beach, near the suites, and the small snorkelling centre there is the new "Senses Health Club & Spa".

The access to the room is through a French window facing the lounge area. Decorated in contemporary style blending modernity and Creole handicraft, the 124 rooms of the hotel are divided into four categories: 71 standard facing the garden with 13 linked rooms, 38 superior with sea view, 11 deluxe located on the waterfront, and 4 suites opposite the ocean. All are equipped with direct telephone, a mini-bar with coffee and tea kit, adjustable air-conditioning, a safe, a television furnished with a DVD player. A wide selection of DVDs is available at the reception for 4 pounds sterling in consideration of a 16 pound deposit. Room service is available 24 hours a day. The bathroom, which has a big bathtub and separated shower, opens onto the room, and allows to isolate yourself with 4 curtains. Hairdryer and guest supplies are provided.

The hotel has two restaurants: the "Mangrovia", huge, in the extension of the gorgeous lobby, proposes copious and varied theme buffets for breakfast and dinner, alternating Italian, international, Arab, Asian, Mediterranean, Creole dishes and barbecue. Located between the beach and the swimming pool, "La Cocoteraie" proposes barbecues à la carte, pizzas and salads. Both have the advantage of offering a wonderful panorama of the turquoise blue lagoon of the hotel and excellent food.

Washed by a clean water and surrounded by coconut trees, the sand beach is only frequented by the Meridien's guests. Peaceful and well organised, it is equipped at its far end by a snorkelling club (diving with mask and tuba) proposing tours guided by instructors. It is better to bath at this spot because the currents are quite strong on the other side of the beach. From November to March, North-West trade winds bring back algae to the shoreline.