Originally Posted by
declinespecificinformation
Bhrubin: I definitely understand your concerns, and if we weren't taking a little one--where the extra space and a big pool help--it'd be much less valuable.
We opted for the Seychelles to pair with a "Great Migration" safari (which we felt was the best place to start and to take our young son, and where HE wanted to go after watching Planet Earth) and the airfare situation proved easy with miles. But otherwise, I'd probably just bolt up in a small house on Gorda if those weren't those mitigating factors.
I'm certainly not royalty nor do I need isolation, but there are those that do.
I totally get why the Seychelles appeal to many if not most, even if not as much to us. That being said, we'd consider it also if we were in Kenya/Tanzania for the Great Migration (which still remains on our to-do list in Africa).
I'd probably opt for Zanzibar instead of the Seychelles, though...to try the possibly better diving, and to enjoy a bit more of that cultural crossroads. It also seems easier to reach than the Seychelles. The new Park Hyatt isn't as luxurious, but we could stay there for free, and it's always nice to take advantage of free stays with points in reasonable luxury in such a remote destination. The Mnemba Island Lodge would be perfect for us...except for the lack of air con. :-(
BigFoot: I'm not sure if you're traveling with children yet (if you do get ready for your budget to explode!) but I would choose the Brando over the FS as a parent. Having been to the St. Regis which is about the same as the FS, which itself also has cheap furniture, there are others who would value low density environments rather than constantly walking on long planks to the OWB with hoards of honeymooners making their 4 day pilgrimage to Bora Bora.
I'm still not quite sold on the Brando. We considered it but got such a good deal for the StR that we chose that for next May. I can't quite see how the exorbitant price at the Brando adds value for us at this point. I don't care about OW like my husband, but I also can't get quite get excited about that price to just laze around a beach. The diving seems better in the Bora Bora lagoon and just outside, so I'm waiting to see diving reviews from the Brando before we decide to consider it. Wakaya and Laucala in Fiji seem better for the money and with much better diving and food, even if a bit further.