KEMPINSKI Seychelles is scheduled for soft opening in November with the aim of convincing families the islands can be an affordable destination.
Located in South Mahe, directly on the famous Baie Lazare beach, the property will be the third biggest hotel on the island with 150 keys – 122 premium rooms with showers, 22 deluxe rooms with bath and six suites including the Presidential Suite – 56 rooms facing the lagoon and 94 looking directly onto the sea.
General manager Pierre Sachet said: “Size wise the property will appeal to two markets, individuals and families, also the Mice market as we have the largest ballroom on the island which can seat 200. This will present great opportunities as we’ve spoken to events people who say they have been waiting for this kind of facility. I think the markets are waiting for the Seychelles to really open up as a Mice destination.
“In terms of positioning, since we don’t have a star rating in the Seychelles, we are promoting ourselves as an affordable option because the Seychelles has the reputation of being expensive – it’s a beautiful place but everything is imported.
“We will be looking to be 30 to 40 per cent lower than the likes of Banyan Tree and Four Seasons, we will be in the same market as the Constance Ephelia and Hilton but still offering the same level of luxury as the Four Seasons etc.”
Sachet added that with a kids’ club offering the safety factor, a spa and a casino, the property will be marketing particularly to Middle Eastern guests.
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The new property will be the third biggest on the island |
“We’ll be aiming at both Arabic and expat families for whom the destination is very convenient since it is just four-and-a-half hours away from the UAE and is in the same time zone,” he said.
Mice business is expected to come from Europe initially with a push into the Middle Eastern market planned for early next year.
The Seychelles Kempinski Resort is currently recruiting and expecting to have around 60 per cent local labour with staff also coming in from the group’s other properties and training will be a big part of the operation with Sachet explaining: “Luxury has to be built around the people and I believe that will be the biggest challenge, to instill that sense of service delivery.”
As well as its superior room offering, the property will feature a number of bars, lounges and restaurants, a spa and gym plus Olympic-size infinity pool, a casino and sports facilities for sailing, deep sea fishing and diving with a reef just 200 m offshore.
Sachet concluded: “It seems to me, with what I have heard from the tour operators, that we are going to find a niche, I think we will slide quite comfortably into the market.”