Laila, A Marriott Tribute Portfolio

We have just returned from a holiday at Laila Resort Seychelles, where we stayed on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with drinks not included).

The hotel itself is beautiful, very well maintained, and the housekeeping standards are excellent. There were a few minor oversights—for example, housekeeping occasionally removed our towels without replacing them, or forgot to restock the coffee—but whenever we informed the staff, the issues were resolved promptly.

Whether you enjoy your stay here really depends on the kind of holiday you're looking for. For some guests it may be wonderful, while for others it could be quite disappointing.

One advantage is the location in relation to the airport. The transfer takes only about 20 minutes—even though the speed limit seems to be around 30 km/h! :)

The food was genuinely excellent. Every single meal we had was delicious (at least to our taste), and this was definitely one of the hotel's strongest points.

Unfortunately, the hotel's biggest weakness is its location. To reach the beach, you have to cross a fairly busy road. The access path to the beach is hardly a proper pathway—it's more like a narrow passage alongside some bushes. On our very first day, a rat ran right across our path. Well... you could say that's part of nature.

Once you reach the beach (all beaches in Seychelles are public), you'll find that it is not maintained. It was covered with large amounts of seaweed that had started to rot, creating an unpleasant smell and attracting countless flies.

Guests have free access to the sun loungers belonging to the beach bar and can also sit inside the bar's beach area. However, you are not allowed to consume drinks purchased elsewhere. Even bringing a bottle of water from your hotel room could technically result in a fine, as this is clearly stated at the entrance. I suppose those are simply their rules. :)

One thing I cannot stress enough: be prepared for mosquitoes. There are an incredible number of them, and it didn't appear that any mosquito control measures were being carried out. One evening, I stayed by the pool for only about 10 minutes and was bitten nine times—just around my ankles.

Prices are also surprisingly high. A pint of the local beer, brewed only a few kilometres from the hotel, cost 205 Seychellois Rupees (around USD 14).

If you're considering booking a sea-view room, be aware that the view is only partial because of the dense tropical vegetation. To be fair, this is clearly mentioned before booking. What isn't obvious, however, is the constant traffic noise. The road in front of the hotel is busy day and night, with loud vehicles, cars blasting music at all hours, and a noticeable amount of traffic pollution.

Sadly, we also found the hotel staff to be poorly informed. Different employees often gave us conflicting information, which made planning anything unnecessarily difficult.

That said, I would especially like to thank AbuBakari, James (from the restaurant), and Bruce Lee. Their kindness, professionalism, and willingness to help made our stay much more enjoyable than it otherwise would have been.

We will not be returning.

It was very good I love the cocktails,and the rooms are very nice especially the one I stayed in 216 I love it

Easy access from the airport—just a straight drive south on the quieter side of Mahé. First time driving on the right; surprisingly fun. Renting a car was worth it, especially for heading north for sunset and exploring that part of the island.

Laila is new, stylish, and well‑kept. I received a Titanium upgrade to a suite with a balcony and private Jacuzzi. The room and the entire property were spotless. Staff were warm and memorable—Samira (I called her Laila), Ronny, and Willy all made the stay exceptional.

From the outside the hotel looks simple, but inside you find thoughtful design, lush greenery, and well‑done public spaces. Night entertainment was outstanding—two musicians performing live and taking song requests from guests from all over the world. The night buffet is held at Café Creole, located just across the hotel on the beach side, not even a minute’s walk, with great seating and atmosphere.

The only easy improvement area is catering: buffet selection was decent but refills were inconsistent (e.g., orange juice topped up with water). One night the buffet felt limited, though the entertainment was excellent.