LM Barbarons up and running |06 August 2005

Business restarted on August 1 with the hotel’s General Manager Dietmar Koegerl describing it as a, “Great hotel with a great ambience.”

Mr Koegerl said that forward bookings for the hotel are “excellent,” with the hotel already 90 percent booked as far ahead as November.

According to Mr Koegerl the renovation of the 124 room resort ran slightly over budget, but is now ready for a grand opening, likely to take place in September.

Mr Koegerl also said that the head of the over 150 hotel Le Meridien group, Robert Riley, is expected to visit the renovated hotel.

The top to bottom overhaul of the hotel has created possibly the largest bar in Seychelles, two restaurants, a spa and a conference centre capable of hosting 140 people.

The hotel also features WIFI internet connectivity throughout the hotel allowing guests to check e-mail while relaxing by the pool.

Barbarons and its sister hotel Fisherman’s Cove were sold to a consortium, including Le Meridien and Airtel, for R150 million in early 2004 by the Compagnie Seychelloise de Promotion Hoteliere (Cosproh).

At the time of the sale Cosproh’s Ranil Bibile said that conceptual designs for the Barbarons redevelopment were already being developed by Airtel.