Minor Hotel Group makes Seychelles debut

Minor Hotel Group has made its Seychelles debut with the signing of Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa, formerly operated as Le Meridien Barbarons Beach Hotel.

The resort, owned by Currimjee Jeewanjee Hospitality Division, is currently closed for a US $8mn refurbishment and will reopen in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Dinesh Burrenchobay, managing director CHM Ltd – Currimjee Jeewanjee Hospitality Division, said: “We are very happy to be working in our first venture with Minor Hotel Group and reflagging the property to their dynamic Avani brand. We are looking forward to introducing the newly rebranded and freshly refurbished resort later in the year while we are confident that it will be well received in the growing Seychelles market.”

As part of the project, the arrival lobby, restaurants and bars and all guest rooms and suites are being refurbished to meet Avani’s fresh contemporary image.

All 124 guest rooms and suites offer a balcony or terrace with views of the ocean, and are being redesigned to offer an improved use of space and modern comforts. Around the pool and beach, walkways and decking are being added as grounds are re-landscaped.

The two restaurants and bars are being changed, with à la carte beach level bar and restaurant being renovated to offer a new restaurant, complete with a brand new kitchen.

Minor Hotel Group CEO Dillip Rajakarier commented: “We are excited to add to our Avani portfolio with a resort in the Seychelles later this year, a new country of operation for Minor Hotel Group. With our six existing properties in the Maldives and two in Sri Lanka across three of our brands, we are already a key player in the Indian Ocean and aim to further strengthen this position with additional Anantara and Avani resorts under development in the Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka."

There are currently five Avani properties in operation – two in Sri Lanka, two in Vietnam and the recently added Avani Sepang GoldCoast Resort in Malaysia. In addition to the Seychelles, two further Avani hotels are to be added to the portfolio later this year – one in Bangkok, Thailand and one in Pemba in Mozambique. Additional new-build properties are also under development in Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.