The expansive resort of La Digue Island Lodge is strung along the sandy stretch of Anse Reunion beach, on the western coast of La Digue. Set in manicured tropical gardens, the range of accommodation options and facilities make it a good bet for both families and couples. It is La Digue's largest property by far, with over 85 rooms, but these are distributed over a large area and allow the place to retain a low-impact feel.
There are 5 accommodation options within the La Digue Island Lodge complex:
• Set at the back of the lovely gardens, The Yellow House is a canary-coloured, colonial clapboard house. Strikingly photogenic, it offers the most basic of the resort's rooms: this is really not a very comfortable place to stay. Built in the early 1900s, it is now a Seychelles National Heritage site so though its single rooms are available, restrictions on renovations mean they are extremely basic. We do not recommend them to visitors.
• The standard rooms at La Digue Island Lodge are in a low single-storey, motel-style row, known as Le Petit Village. At the northern end of the resort, set back from the sea in the gardens behind the Plantation House, this small terrace of rooms offer good value, bijoux accommodation. Pale tiles on floors, whitewashed ceilings and matching timber furnishings offer a reliable, if dinky and slightly dated, base. Down a small step at the back of the room, there is an all-white en-suite with a bath, separate corner shower cubicle, toilet, bidet, sink and a wall-mounted hairdryer. Nothing is fancy, but if you are keen to have access to the resorts other facilities, notably the pool and beach, for a cheaper rate, then these small rooms are perfectly acceptable.
• The majority of the accommodation at La Digue Island Lodge is in the distinctive A-frame chalets dotted around the gardens. These 69 rooms are sub-divided into two categories, Beach Chalets and Garden Chalets, though in reality they are identical bar their location – the beach chalets being close to the ocean, whilst the garden chalets are set back in the gardens. Built from local takamaka wood and with steep pitched roofs made from latanier palm leaves, these appealing A-frames can all have a double bedroom and en-suite on entering and a small mezzanine upper deck which can accommodate two single beds for older children. This upper level is accessed by a vertical ladder fixed to wall, and is high in the roofspace so really not suitable for very young children or anyone unsteady on their feet. The interiors are timber-panelled with natural flooring, bright white walls and usually a vase of country-style flowers. There is a narrow dressing area with a tea/coffee station and a good size en-suite bathroom with 'floating' bidet and toilet. The chalets all have air-conditioned, an IDD telephone and satellite television inside, and a pair of sun loungers on the terrace outside. Although not flash in any way, we feel these are the best category of room available at La Digue Island Lodge and would be a good place to retreat to after a hard day's sun and sea worshipping.
• Overlooking the beach at the northern end of the La Digue Island Lodge complex, the thatched, white-washed Plantation Beach House offers nine Superior rooms (five upstairs and four at ground level). Externally styled to resemble a colonial plantation house, its interiors are sadly a little more 70s kitsch in style. Timber paneled walls and floors, dark wood furniture and patterned bedding and curtains somehow seem heavy for the bright and airy seaside setting, but nonetheless these rooms are very spacious and do offer a veranda or balcony overlooking the beach. Standard throughout these rooms is air-conditioning, satellite television and IDD telephones.
Outside of the rooms, the 'resort' areas of La Digue Island Lodge cover quite a large area and are very well maintained. Away from the parasols and sunbeds of Anse Reunion's long, sandy beach, the gardens of the Island Lodge are lovely to wander through and the flowering trees and plants, mainly frangipani, hibiscus and bougainvillea, attract a great number of sunbirds. La Digue Island Lodge has a good-size swimming pool, with a pool bar and restaurant, a lovely boutique for trinkets, sarongs and books, a PADI dive centre and schooner sailing trips are on offer.
All guests here also receive a complimentary entrance ticket to visit L'Union Estate, a former vanilla plantation, and en route to the truly idyllic beach at Anse Source D'Argent. Bicycle hire is available at the lodge reception and there is a complimentary daily excursion for guests.
In conclusion... judging by its location, its facilities and its publicity, La Digue Island Lodge should be fantastic – but, sadly, it just seems to miss the mark. Like much on the island, it is in something of a time-warp, but in addition the room décor is fairly dated and the service is variable. It's important to understand this before visiting – but provided that you can accept the lodge's limitations, then it does offer a good, reliable base, with reasonable accommodation and food, and immediate access to a stunning beach.
Directions: Transfers on arrival at the airport or jetty can be arranged in ox-cart or small painted bus. To walk or cycle from La Passe Harbour, take the tar road to the right, heading along the coastal road through the village and onwards south. Follow this road for approx 15mins by bike, until you see the large sign to the right and turn into the hotel's lane, which is for pedestrians only.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Half Board
Food quality: The main restaurant, Le Pecheur, occupies a prime beachfront spot between the swimming pool and sweeping curve of the gardens. In an imposing open-sided, high palm thatched building, it offers both tropical breakfast buffets and table d'hote dinners. In spite of the relitive formality of the menus, the sand-under-foot setting, nearby lapping waves, and tables under the stars give it a more relaxed feel than may be initially anticipated. There is occasional entertainment to accommpany meals here.
For light daytime snacks and lunches, the casual pool-side restaurant serves the likes of fresh fish goujons and chips, salads and spring rolls, under a lovely shady tree. From this spot it's possible to watch the boats at sea as well as those taking a dip in the pool, making it an equally pleasant place for a sundown cocktail from the Coco Tendre bar.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Outdoor Dining
Room service: No
Special interests
Beach holidays: On the wide sandy beach of Anse Reunion, La Digue Island Lodge is perfect for a chilled family seaside holiday. The ocean is generally shallow and often calm, the sand made for building sandcastles and there are plenty of palms and parasols to provide all-important shade. It is easy to walk or cycle to the many neighbouring beaches too.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for beach holidays in Seychelles
Children
Attitude towards children: La Digue Island Lodge welcomes children of all ages.
Age restrictions: There are no age restrictions on guests.
Activities: There is no kids club at La Digue Island Lodge, though babysitting can be arranged on request.
Equipment: A cot is available for babies.
Generally recommended for children: La Digue Island Lodge is one of La Digue's most suitable hotels for families. A large swimming pool, sandy beach, casual pool-side dining area and babysitting service are all conducive to a relaxing holiday for all.
Notes: As with all places near water though, children must be supervised at all times. We also do not recommend that young children sleep in the upper level of the Beach and Garden Chalets.
Central communications
Power supply: Mains Electricity
Communications: There are IDD telephones in the bedrooms.
TV & radio: Satellite television in the guest rooms offers movie and news channels.
Health & safety
Malarial area: No
Medical care: There is a first aid kit kept on the property and for more serious incidents, La Digue Logan Hospital is on the coast, approximately 5 minutes from La Digue Island Lodge. It offers basic health care services 24 hours a day, including dental care and a child health facility. There is an ambulance available for emergencies.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: Security guards patrol the grounds at night.
Fire safety: Fire extinguishers are located outside villas.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: Full Laundry Service - Extra Charge
Accepted payment: All hotel services must be paid for using foreign exchange currency.
