I have just returned to Ireland after a wonderful three week visit to the astonishingly beautiful Seychelles island of Praslin. I am happy that I chose to stay at Villa Flamboyant for the duration, where I experienced the most wonderful Creole hospitality from Rosemary Cobian and her staff. Each part of Praslin has its own special character and beauty and so for the first few days I rented a car to get a feel for the island as a whole, but very quickly I decided that I just loved the privacy and seclusion of the Southern part of the island and of Anse St Sauveur in particular ..On the famous and gorgeous Anse Lasio in the North, or on the Cote d'or, you have to share the beauty with lots of other people (which is fine), but here, at most times of the day or night, you literally have your own private white tropical beach which is perfect for either 'reading, walking or swimming' . One evening, I witnessed a turtle come from the sea and lay her eggs on the beach just fifteen meters from my room. A German visitor told me that he had seen this a week earlier, but I never imagined I too would be lucky enough see it. The only obstacle blocking the view (from my room) of the white beach and beautiful indian ocean beyond was my 'hammock' , which was suspended between a coconut tree and one of the huge Flamboyant trees in the garden. This image has become my mobile phone wallpaper now that I have returned to the northern Winter greyness.
The food at Flamboyant is excellent. I experienced an amazing variety of Creole fish dishes, with different, interesting and colourful marinades each evening and sauces, fruit and vegetables, which I knew were always 'freshly prepared', unlike some other much more expensive Praslin hotels and restaurants which I visited.
A car is useful anywhere on Praslin as there are considerable distances to be covered between shops, beaches and hotels. The buses are an option (though sometimes a little irregular) and taxis too, but it is nice to have ones own wheels, if only for some days of the holiday.
Villa Flamboyant is a really unpretentious, friendly and welcoming place. This is its charm. It is essentially a 'retreat', a place where one can really hope to relax and renew the spirit... A place of 'simplicity and authenticity'. If , like me, you have a taste for such things, I dont think you will be disappointed.
Shane.

I spent 4 nights at Villa Flamboyant in Praslin, Seychelles Islands. The guest house is in an isolated area of the island, you MUST rent a car if you don't want to remain only on the beach of the guest house and have all the dinner and lunches there, that you must pay in Euro or Dollars (23 Euros for a dinner!!!).
The first night they gave us room n.6, no sea view as they promised, avoid it! It's terrible, ugly and dirty, we called the manager and she said she would have given us a better room the day after. We didn't have a car and we couldn't leave the hotel...
The day after they gave us room n.1, not see view! We complaint but she said that we didn't have alternatives!
The owner is a woman that loves French people but does not take care of other guests as she does with them! Not so kind...
Anyway, the room was better, cleaner, and with the car you can have a nice holiday, but Seychelles are very humid and rainy, I will not return there, in a tropical island the weather must not be an issue!

Villa flamboyant is perhaps one of the most charming,delightfull little places i havve visited in the world.Situated in a most beautiful & tranquil part of tiny praslin island. only a few metres from a stunning white sand beach with warm crystal waters perfect for kids.;it is possible to have the entire beach to yourself as there are not many other hotels along this side of the island.
i found quite wonderfull,standing on my balcony.watching the local fishermen hauling fish traps out of the sea.Then bringing them,still flapping! to the villa to be made into a mouthwatering creole feast for dinner!MMmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!! thats fresh!!!
I loved this place and only wish id found it sooner! it is very reasonably priced.absolute value for money.i am a regular visitor to the beautiful seychelles and i would pick this place over any of the bustlier hotels on praslin.

tips:hire a car if you would like to go out to eat or go dancing at night.taxis are rare and expensive after dark and the last bus on the island is at six o clock!!