NEW BANYAN TREE TO OPEN IN SEYCHELLES

Our Seaside Spa Retreat Offers Romance, Rejuvenation, Awe-inspiring Scenery and A Connection With Seychelles' Colonial Past

Following the success of the first Banyan Tree in Phuket, the second in Maldives and the third in Bintan, Indonesia, the Singapore-based luxury hotel group is fully committed to its next Banyan Tree resort on Mahe, the largest island in Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. The new Banyan Tree Seychelles, nestled in the Intendance Bay with unspoilt beaches, is only 25 minutes away from Mahe International Airport. Mahe is the perfect introduction to Seychelles, with its steep mountain backbone, slopes carpeted with lush tropical vegetation and sweeping coastline fringed with palm trees.

Scheduled to open in December 2001, the first phase of the resort development comprises 16 Beachfront Pool Villas and 20 private Hillside Villas and 1 Presidential Villa. Banyan Tree Seychelles is a joint venture between Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts and Immobeliere Sorento SA. Banyan Tree Seychelles will be built to world-class standards using natural indigenous materials and artefacts to reflect the Seychellois architecture and culture thus providing a sense of place. The resort's spacious, individual villas will be set in breathtaking beachside locations or serene rainforest environments, with private pools or jacuzzis set into wooden decks offering panoramic views.

To reflect the island's rich colonial history, the villas' lavish architecture emphasises on spacious white Victorian-style bungalows and sprawling verandas. To further showcase Seychelles' heritage, indigenous weaving patterns are painstakingly crafted into the villas' furniture. Local artists have also been commissioned to produce paintings for the bedrooms based on the island's legendary Coco-de-mer nut. The famed native plant is known for its distinctive shape of a pair of human genitias. The unique art pieces will help enhance Banyan Tree's aura of romance and exotic allure.

The natural surroundings of Seychelles resemble a marine extravaganza with its colourful reef fish, octopus, lobster and turtles. Imagine the thrill of swimming with whale sharks known as gentle giants of the sea that are regular visitors of Seychelles waters. The flora and fauna of Seychelles are equally fascinating with the wondrous Seychelles paradise flycatcher and jellyfish tree. Seychelles also boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Vallee de Mai which was once regarded as the Garden of Eden and the legendary Aldabra, the world's largest raised coral atoll.

The Banyan Tree Spa will offer a full range of spa treatments and massages, herbal wraps and beauty therapies based on a fusion of Eastern and Western rejuvenation techniques. Guests at Banyan Tree Seychelles can enjoy international and Creole cuisine at two restaurants, dine in privacy in their villas or unwind at the Sunset Bar. An extensive array of Banyan Tree products awaits guests at the Banyan Tree Gallery who wish to take home a slice of the Banyan Tree experience.

"The entry of Banyan Tree will bring a new standard of resort lifestyle experience to the Seychelles. Banyan Tree Seychelles with its total tranquil and natural environment, exotic cuisine and charming Seychellois people will be a dream destination. Banyan Tree fans around the world share our excitement about this new resort.," says Mr Edwin Yeow, Joint Managing Director for Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. "In addition, the Seychelles project is expected to provide marketing synergy with its sister resort, Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru. The location of Seychelles is strategic in relation to the Maldives and will provide further leverage on penetration of the European market".

Mahe is the largest of the 115 Seychelles islands and is home to the international airport and Victoria, the tiny capital of the tropical isle. The Seychelles archipelago's 115 granitic and coralline islands lie spread over one million square kilometres of tranquil waters, just south of the equator. The granite islands are clustered around Mahe while the coral islands extend in arc towards the East African coast.

Banyan Tree is the very first luxury hotel resort to set up home at Seychelles. The island is accessible by various airlines including Air Seychelles, British Airways, Air France and Air Mauritius. The direct flights are available from Singapore, London, Rome, Zurich, Johannesburg, Paris, Milan, Frankfurt, Nairobi and Mauritius.

Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is embarking on a rapid expansion plan. Following the opening of Banyan Tree Seychelles and Banyan Tree Bangkok (formerly the Westin Banyan Tree Bangkok) in late 2001, Banyan Tree Pokhara, Nepal will be launched in 2001 and Banyan Tree Mexico will open in 2003.