How to keep the Indian Ocean budget-friendly
The Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Sri Lanka don’t have to entail five-star hotels at sky-high prices – there are more affordable options to recommend
The Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka are luxury destinations that most often come with a substantial price tag. Wade through the ultra-lux properties and there are, however some good value four- and even three-star hotels. These properties could convince those who think the region is out of their price range to book or may suit repeat visitors looking to trim their budget to fend off the cost-of-living crisis.
The Seychelles
The Seychelles does not perhaps receive the attention the Maldives attracts as it lacks the amount of ultra-luxury accommodation its competitor provides, but while tourism is concentrated on a handful of islands, there are 115 to explore.
Kuoni suggests the four-star Coco De Mer & Black Parrot Suites, 15 minutes from the airport on Praslin, the second-biggest of the islands. The operator says that with 40 rooms and 12 suites, the hotel has the feel of a “secluded boutique resort”.
Monique Williams, the operator’s senior executive, long-haul, adds: “The property is set on small, white sandy beaches and as well as these idyllic beaches, visitors can enjoy a guided nature walk through the tropical forests that surround the resort.”
Book it: Kuoni has seven nights plus breakfast at Coco de Mer & Black Parrot Suites in a standard room from £1,849pp, including one bonus night on selected departures in November 2022. The rate includes Emirates’ flights from Gatwick. kuoni.co.uk
The Maldives
The Maldives is a favourite with the rich and famous, and being just four hours from the Middle East, attracts oil money as well, making some resorts crushingly expensive. There are though ways to make the destination more affordable.
Travel Gallery director Neil Dobbs recommends indirect flights and choosing time of year carefully.
“It’s important to be flexible on fares to keep the price down,” he says. “If you want non-stop, you’re stuck with British Airways, whereas indirect flights are up to £300 cheaper. Pick transfers that involve speedboats rather than seaplanes – it’ll be more like $100 per person instead of $400.
“The other thing to bear in mind is the seasons. It’s considerably cheaper in May to October, which is low season. November onwards is shoulder season, with a peak at Christmas, and high season January to March. A good time to go is early December, you get shoulder season pricing and probably some form of offer and the rainy season is well behind you.”
Travel Gallery recommends the new four-star Oblu XPErience Ailafushi on the Male Atoll.
“Ailafushi is fantastic for families, it has 48 family rooms with a children’s room with bunk bed and second bathroom attached to the main bedroom,” says Dobbs. “It’s very much got young families in mind, up to say 14 years, and the price is excellent for a four-star all-inclusive.”
Book it: A seven-night all-inclusive package for two adults and two children under 12 at Oblu XPErience Ailafushi in an Ocean View Family Room is from £6,995 including return speedboat transfers. The rate is based on Etihad flights via Abu Dhabi departing mid-September. travel-gallery.co.uk
Mauritius
There is more to Mauritius than beaches, as its size – 38 miles long and 27 wide – plus its mountainous, volcanic interior mean there is enough to explore in a week for those who don’t think tropical islands are for them.
Hiking, volcanic tours and swimming with wild dolphins are among the options. The UK summer is low season in Mauritius, when cheaper hotel rates coincide with UK school holidays, but seas can be rougher.
Premier Holidays’ Indian Ocean product manager Nikki Hain suggests the Veranda Palmar Beach where rooms are dotted around the pool and gardens or closer to the beach.
“It’s one of our top lead-in three-star resorts on one of the best beaches in Mauritius,” she says. “This hotel represents fantastic value for money with its all-inclusive offering and, for families, one child can stay in their parents’ room for free.”
Book it: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Veranda Palmar Beach is from £1,249pp departing 23 September. The price includes direct flights with Air Mauritius and transfers. premierholidays.co.uk
Sri Lanka
Despite economic and political uncertainty, Sri Lanka is predicted to reopen in time for the winter peak season once supply issues are resolved.
There are numerous good value properties on the island that offer affordable luxury.
Indus Experiences recommends the Heritance Kandalama in Dambulla and the Avani Bentota Resort and Spa, both designed by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most famous architect. The Heritance property can be a base to explore Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, overlooking the Sigiriya and Dambulla rock fortresses. indusexperiences.co.uk
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