We went here because it had been recommended by some friends who have been going every year for about the last 8 - 10 years and I have to say, I can see why they keep going back. What a wonderful setting, you're right on the beach with the most gorgeous views out to sea and you can hear the ocean while you sit on your private balcony, it's idyllic....as close to paradise as I can imagine being. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, I slept better here than I have done in years - it's a real little home away from home. Therese, the proprietor is nearly always on hand to help you with whatever you need and having spent time talking to her, we realised that she's been involved in tourism on the Island for nearly all of her adult life, she is extremely well connected and helpful and can tell you everything you need to know to make your stay perfect. She's very customer focussed and is keen that you have a great time at her place.

We had one of the best holiday's we've ever had here and I wish I could go back tomorrow - especially when I look at the English summer! Fantastic place, great value for money, extremely friendly and laid back - we loved it! Saving up for my next visit already.

We would NOT recommend staying at Le Tropique Villa - you can probably do better at other self-catering places on Praslin. We also stayed at self-catering places in Mahe and La Digue. But we paid the most at Le Villa Tropique and enjoyed it the least!

Frankly, the main problem is the owner Therese who we felt was trying to get the most money out of us and offer us as little as possible. The kitchen is poorly equipped (bring your own matches for the gas!), we were told to get our own third dining room chair from the garden and expect to have to buy your own washing-up liquid. The breakfast is basically toast and coffee - you can get eggs if you ask but don't expect to be offered. There were no welcoming books and leaflets about the area in the chalet.

To cap it all, read the following story - we stayed six nights in total, the final one after we came back from La Digue. Our flight was not until 5pm the following day, it was raining heavily, we had a 2 year old child with us and my wife was pregnant. At breakfast, the very friendly maid said she was sure we could stay in our chalet until our flight because there was no one else coming after us. But 10 mins later she came back sheepishly and said that we could only stay if we paid - Therese the owner had said! She was visibly embarrassed and we were pretty outraged.

It is not easy being in the tourism business in Praslin so we do not want to be too harsh. We do not expect freebies but we do expect a warm welcome and value for money which we more than received elsewhere in the Seychelles. And the setting of Villa Tropique is lovely (even if the beach is a bit seaweedy) and the rooms and site are immaculately kept.

But you do expect value for money. On that basis - go elsewhere!