The hype
Guests are blown away by the natural beauty and villa privacy but consistently shocked by the cost of food and transfers.
NIVA Labriz Seychelles
$350-600/ night
Book this if You want a 'Castaway' vibe with 5-star plumbing and don't mind being held captive by resort pricing.
Why People Love It
- The only resort on a massive, Jurassic Park-style national park island
- Villas are standalone or semi-detached, giving a true sense of isolation
- Beaches are wild, uncrowded, and visually spectacular
Quick Take: A stunning jungle paradise that charges you for every breath you take once you step off the boat.
Reviewed by @pilotmadeleine: I honestly can't recommend this place enough for families. Feeding the giant tortoises was magical for my little one, and the beaches are so calm and shallow. We had a sunset picnic that was pure bliss. It’s the perfect mix of luxury and kid-friendly fun.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The 'Garden Villas' are often semi-detached and lack privacy compared to the standalone 'Sanctuary' or 'Beachfront' options.
- You crave a 'lost world' hiking and beach combo
- You are a Hilton Honors Diamond member (free breakfast & potential upgrades)
- You want to snorkel right off the beach (at high tide)
Cleanliness & Maintenance
9.1
- Housekeeping: Twice daily service, generally excellent but can miss sand in corners.
- Bathroom hygiene: Immaculate. Huge soaking tubs and outdoor showers are a highlight.
- Maintenance: Good, though the harsh tropical climate means constant painting/repair is visible.
- Linens & towels: Crisp, high-thread-count, and plentiful.
- Odors & scents: Fresh ocean breeze mixed with tropical flowers and occasional damp earth smell.
Sleepability™
8SILENT
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Fruit bats squawking at night
- Neighbors in interconnecting villas
- Rain on the tin roofs (loud but soothing for some)
Before you book
Good to know
- Book Half Board or Full Board immediately; a la carte prices are eye-watering ($60+ for lunch)
- The boat transfer schedule is fixed; miss it and you're stuck on Mahe
- Bicycles are free for some villa categories but chargeable for others—check your booking
What to pack
- DEET-heavy mosquito repellent (resort charges a fortune for it)
- Reef shoes (coral can be sharp and shallow)
- Snacks and alcohol (duty-free) to offset the $20 cocktails
Room Genie
Best picks
- King Sanctuary Pool Villa (for total privacy, walled garden, no ocean view but zero passersby)
- King Beachfront Villa (for direct ocean access, though people can walk past your patio)
Rooms to avoid
- Garden Villas near the kids' club if you want quiet
- Interconnecting Garden Villas if you are a light sleeper and have neighbors
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“Request a standalone villa away from the main path. If booking a Beachfront Villa, ask for the 'North' end for slightly more privacy from foot traffic.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the water swimmable?
Yes, but it's very shallow at low tide. You need to time your swims with high tide or walk out far.
Can I buy food outside the hotel?
No. There are no other restaurants or shops on Silhouette Island. You are captive to the resort.
Is it kid-friendly?
Surprisingly yes. The 'Jungle Fun' kids club is excellent, and the shallow water is safe for little ones.
How bad are the bugs?
It's a tropical rainforest. Mosquitoes are active at dusk, and you will see harmless giant millipedes on paths.
Is the Half Board worth it?
Absolutely. A la carte dinners can easily run $100+ per person. Half board locks in your costs.
What is the 'Niva' name change?
The hotel was formerly 'Hilton Seychelles Labriz'. It is now 'Niva Labriz Seychelles', part of the Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) collection, but still bookable via Hilton.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Visit the old Dauban family mausoleum for a creepy-cool history lesson (hikeable from resort).
- ✨
The 'Grann Kaz' Creole restaurant is in a historic plantation house and has the most authentic vibe.
- ✨
If you are Hilton Diamond, push for the upgrade to a Sanctuary Pool Villa—it's a massive leap in quality.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'Giant Millipedes' are everywhere—they are harmless but look terrifyingly prehistoric.
💡The boat ride can be a vomit-comet in rough seas; take motion sickness pills beforehand.
💡You can hike to 'Anse Mondon' (a secluded cove) but it's a sweaty 2-hour trek each way.
💡The main pool is actually quite simple; the real luxury is the private plunge pools.
💡Wifi is surprisingly decent for a remote island, but don't expect 4K streaming speeds everywhere.
Local Playbook
Map
See where NIVA Labriz Seychelles is located and what's nearby.