Villa Hortensia

We finally managed to leave the villa, but about an hour later money was taken from my card for all the nights without my consent. It came from a different account than the one where I'd sent the deposit. The trouble started when I told the owners I was worried a debit card problem might mean I couldn't pay for the whole stay. At first, the owner said it was fine to keep the deposit we'd transferred a month earlier and let us go. Later that evening, someone banged on our door, and the female owner demanded payment for all 4 nights, whether we stayed or not. I refused and said we should go to the police, and then their tone softened. The next morning they wouldn't let us leave until we found a way to pay, and even drove me to the island bank. People there were astonished by their behavior. The place itself was in terrible condition. Cows and chickens were roaming around when we arrived, mosquitoes got in through damaged windows that wouldn't close properly, and there was a urine smell. We decided to stay despite that and the very high price for what was offered. If you want to avoid an unpleasant experience ruining your holiday, don't go there. People like this shouldn't be allowed to damage the Seychelles' image.

The peaceful setting and welcoming hosts made it easy to relax here. Our room was spotless and comfortable to return to after cycling around the island, trekking, and exploring tucked-away spots. The villa has that tropical, laid-back feel, with warm air and quiet mornings. It's also conveniently placed, calm but still close enough to get around easily. We highly recommend it.

Villa Hortenzija is a great pick if you want privacy and comfort, and the location is excellent even though it's off the main road. The staff were helpful and accommodating. Our room was very spacious, with a large bathroom. Only thing missing was a hairdryer. Highly recommended.

The climb up is steep and may not suit everyone, and this isn't a resort hotel. Still, if you enjoy being close to nature, it feels like good value. We liked seeing how much the owners care about flowers, both in the garden and in the room names. The veranda sunset views are stunning.