Booking a Hotel

• No commission: Depending on the contract, booking portals charge accommodation providers roughly 12 to 18 per cent of the booking value. With add-on programmes and discount campaigns, the effective sales costs can rise to 22 to 28 per cent. These are industry guide figures, and an individual contract may differ. When you book direct, this item disappears.
• The money stays on the islands: The amount goes to the hosts and their staff here rather than to an international corporation.
• Often a better price or extras: Some hosts pass on the commission they save, for example as a discount, breakfast, a later check-out or an airport pick-up. You have no right to any of this, so ask for it explicitly.
• Direct contact: Special requests, arrival time, allergies, a cot, or the question of the best way to the beach: you sort these out with the person who will welcome you later.

To get a quick and suitable reply, it is worth settling five things for yourself beforehand:

1. Arrival and departure dates and the number of nights.
2. Number of adults and the children's ages.
3. Room wishes: room type, bed arrangement, sea view, quiet position, air conditioning.
4. Arrival time and flight number, so the host can plan your welcome.
5. Special points: an occasion such as a honeymoon, diet, mobility.

Put everything into one message, which saves follow-up questions. Small places often have only a few rooms. For Christmas and New Year, enquire early and, if needed, get two or three quotes.

• Total price: Ask for the final price for the whole stay, including the tourism levy, taxes and any final cleaning fee. For the levy, see below.
• Deposit: The amount and timing, and when the balance is due.
• Payment method: Bank transfer, credit card or payment on arrival, in which currency and with what fees.
• Cancellation terms: Until when is cancellation free, and what applies if you change your dates?
• Written confirmation: Have the room, dates, price and conditions confirmed by email. You will also need this document for your travel authorisation.

The Seychelles has hotels, island resorts, guesthouses and self-catering apartments. Small places are perfectly normal here. With them in particular, direct contact is worthwhile, because the host usually answers personally.

On the three main islands, Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, you will find every type of accommodation and can manage without an island resort. Mahé has the international airport, while Praslin and La Digue can be reached by ferry or domestic flight (Cat Cocos ferry, domestic flights). If you want peace and a whole island to yourself, choose a resort, for example on Bird Island, Denis, Frégate, North Island, Desroches or Alphonse. The page Islands of the Seychelles gives an overview of all the islands.

If you are visiting several islands, book a separate place for each stop. Then allow for the journeys in between, and also look at boat tours and excursions from Island Tour Seychelles to see whether a day trip is worth more than changing islands.

A worked example (as of November 2026): two adults staying 10 nights in a mid-sized hotel pay 2 × 10 × 75 = 1,500 SCR, and in a large hotel or island resort 2,000 SCR. In a guesthouse or apartment with up to 24 rooms, nothing is charged. Budget for the amount to be settled on the spot, as it forms part of the accommodation's bill. When you enquire, ask whether it is already included in the quoted price. For payment and cash, see Money & Banks, and for service staff, Tipping.

Your accommodation needs to be settled before you fly. All travellers need a Travel Authorisation before entering the country, which is applied for online. Since January 2026 it has cost €12.06 per traveller (as of November 2026). You can apply up to 30 days before your flight. You will need to upload, among other things, your flight booking showing arrival and departure dates, plus the booking confirmation for each place you will stay. This must show the name of the hotel or guesthouse. If you are visiting friends or family, you submit an invitation letter instead.

The entry system states that accommodation should be inspected and licensed by the Tourism Department and appear on its list. So before you book, check that the property is listed. On arrival you will also be asked for a return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation and proof of sufficient funds. You will find all the details on entry requirements. The official place to apply for the authorisation is the Seychelles Electronic Border System. Other providers often charge extra.

1. Decide when to travel and for how long, see best time to travel.
2. Choose your island and type of accommodation. If you are staying in several places, plan the journeys between the islands too.
3. Pick suitable places in the accommodation directory and enquire directly.
4. Clarify the total price, deposit, cancellation terms and how to pay, and get the booking confirmed in writing.
5. If you wish, consider an airport pick-up as part of a tour with Island Tour Seychelles.
6. Apply for the travel authorisation, using the names of all your accommodation.
7. Sort out the practical details, for example with the travel checklist.

No. Seychellen.com does not act as an agent and does not take enquiries. In the accommodation directory you will find the hosts' contact details and you book directly with them.

Yes. The travel authorisation requires the booking confirmation for every place you stay, or an invitation letter if you are visiting friends or acquaintances.

Not always. Compare the total price with the price on the booking portal. The commission saved often leads to a better price or to extras, which you can ask about specifically.

As a rule, no. It is collected on the spot by the accommodation (as of November 2026). When you enquire, ask how your host handles it.

Children up to and including 12 years old are exempt.

Not any more. Accommodation with 1 to 24 rooms has been exempt since 1 January 2026.

An airport pick-up is available through Island Tour Seychelles as part of a tour. Otherwise, ask your host for recommendations, and see also getting around the Seychelles.

More planning help: travel tips for the Seychelles and your first visit to the Seychelles.