DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles - Allamanda Resort & Spa

A very disappointing experience. Checking in was a protracted and arduous ordeal, not great after a 16-hour flight from the UK. The hotel looked great from the approach, but, on closer inspection, it was as tired as our weary selves. Our room smelt strange throughout our reservation. It was not as clean as it first appeared. Aged blood dried on the wall adjacent to th the sink from a previous occupant, I guess? As soon as I noted the extremely cheap toilet roll, I knew we were in trouble for the next 14 days. Our first use of the shower exposed a blocked drain. AC was very noisy. Furniture and fittings throughout the hotel are desperate for an update. The food was very disappointing, particularly for the price. The chicken we ordered was tough. My partner returned hers, but it came back just as inedible! Breakfast was an odd selection of what looked like steamed wedges, pizza made with filo pastry, and glazed carrots. Each time we gave the restaurant another shot, we were very dissatisfied. The fruit juice was, thankfully, okay. I kept getting accosted by staff to pay an additional £273 to attend the "mandatory" Gala Christmas dinner. I had already explained in great length that we had no intention or desire to attend any such event. I was not told about this whilst booking, and I come on holiday to do what I want to do, not what somebody else has decided for me! My partner suffers from anxiety and would not be happy being made to socialise amongst strangers. When I was initially approached, I was told it was a formal, black tie occasion. Due to the lack of transparency, I had not packed a suit and/or tie. However, in a bid to get us to attend (Pay), the invite I received the day before had been changed to smart casual. Due to the pressure I was getting from staff, each time I passed reception, it became embarrassing and untenable. In the end, my partner and I decided that, on ballance, the best thing we could do was check out some four days early. My partner had contracted impetigo from unclean towels and/or bedding. Having observed the cleaner, clean our toilet and move on to bed-making without washing his hands... also, he'd quite happily wash our coffee cups in our bathroom sinks using nothing else but his dirty hands. It was an awfully bad and expensive experience. There is no refund policy, and an early flight home has put me way out of pocket. Thanks for nothing, DoubleTree. Never again.

The hotel is very good and the staff are very friendly

Hilton DoubleTree in Seychelles offers very poor price-quality value. If you’re traveling with family and hoping for a relaxing, high-standard experience, there are far better options. It’s hard to see how this hotel meets Hilton’s standards—it looks good from afar, but is far from good. The only real positive is the friendly staff. Food & Dining: The food selection is extremely poor and repetitive, with limited fruit and vegetables available in micro-portions. Upon check-in, we were given a heads up that they are running a modified food service due to the low number of guests and to prevent food waste. We accepted this, but quickly realised that we will be eating same type of meal every dinner. The only difference was seasoning. A misleading schedule of daily dinner themes is displayed but never followed. Kitchen is clearly struggling, even with a low number of guests. Dining becomes even less enjoyable with stray cats roaming freely, occasionally jumping onto tables and eating off guests’ plates when they step away. Pool & Beach Area: The hotel has the potential for a fantastic beach and pool experience, with access to a lovely beach and an infinity pool. However, the beach is untidy, needing proper landscaping and regular seaweed removal. The pool deck was recently redone, but the poor workmanship left loose floorboards sticking out—a hazard, especially for children. Loud music plays all day, perhaps to compensate for the overall lackluster atmosphere. Amenities: The hotel feels outdated, in need of a full renovation a decade ago. From worn-out furnishings to an old pool table in the lobby, it seems like investment stopped 20 years ago. Amenities are barebones—no kids’ club, no water sports rentals, no real sports facilities beyond an underwhelming gym, and no beachside cocktail service. Service: Service is inconsistent and poorly managed. Orders are forgotten, towels frequently run out, and there’s little to no service at the beach or pool area. Tables are often left unset, all while the hotel operates at just 30% capacity. It raises questions about Hilton’s training standards. Final verdict: Beyond the friendly staff, there’s little to recommend. Next time in Seychelles, I’ll book the likes of Kempinski or Savoy, which offer far superior quality (at a slight premium). Having tested those firsthand, I only wish we had done so before committing to a week at Hilton.

We visited the hotel for the third time. Although it was undergoing partial renovation, we enjoyed our holiday thanks to the friendliness of the staff who tried to make our stay more pleasant. Our thanks go to Emanuel, Tolera the head of the Ram kitchen, and to the other cooks and servers who always had smile for as. we would love to come back again. Zdenek and Jana from Czech Republic