Sunbird Villas

The rooms are spacious, comfortable and clean, with large beds and a breathtaking view from the balcony. Housekeeping cleans them daily. Guests describe the apartments as well appointed, each one looking out over the ocean and the coastline. Breakfast is served and guests call it good. The overall feel is quiet and unhurried, a place people book to relax rather than to be entertained.

The owner is Cecile Berlouis, and guests single her out by name. One guest praised her hospitality, another called her a lovely host, and a third said she has an eye for every detail. One traveller landed on a 4:25am flight, hours before the noon check-in, and Cecile opened a room early so they could rest and refresh. Piyal manages the premises and, as one guest put it, knows everything going on and runs it professionally. The service is friendly and understated, often reading what guests need before they ask.

Glacis sits along the north coast of Mahé, a short drive from Beau Vallon and its beach. One honest note runs through the reviews. There is a steep climb up to the villas, which guests flag plainly, though they add it is manageable. That climb is the price of the height, and the height is what gives every balcony its ocean and coastline view.

Glacis runs along the northern tip of Mahé, above the coast road. The hotel sits on the mountainside, so a car is useful both for the steep approach and for getting around. Beau Vallon, the island's main swimming beach with its restaurants and dive shops, is a short drive to the south. Victoria, the capital, is roughly twenty minutes away by road, and the airport sits on the far side of it. The balconies face the ocean and the coastline, so much of the view is had without leaving the property. For beaches, shops and dinners out, plan on driving rather than walking.