Seychelles has long leaned on its beaches and granite boulders to speak for themselves, but the government is now making sure the hotels guests check into meet a consistent standard. In September 2025, the Tourism Department wrapped up a week-long Hotel Classification Assessor Training at Savoy Resort & Spa, run in partnership with UN Tourism. The course expanded the pool of qualified assessors for the National Hotel Grading Programme, which launched in January 2024 and has already evaluated 52 establishments. For anyone planning a trip, this means the star rating you see on a booking site now has a much better chance of matching what you actually find at check-in.
This article covers what the new grading system means for travellers, how it works in practice, and what it changes about choosing accommodation. It’s written for anyone considering Seychelles who wants to book with confidence — whether you’re after a five-star resort or a mid-range guesthouse. The throughline here is simple: Seychelles is taking its hotel standards seriously, and that shift makes trip planning easier if you know what to look for.
The National Hotel Grading Programme has assessed 52 establishments since its launch in January 2024, and the new assessor training ensures those ratings are consistent and credible.
| Grade Level | What It Covers | Who Assesses | Key Change Under New System | Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Star | Luxury amenities, full-service dining, concierge | Trained assessors + tourism department staff | Online reputation and accessibility now factored in | Check for recent grading date — the system is still rolling out, so some older ratings may not reflect the new criteria yet |
| 4-Star | Superior comfort, multiple dining options, pool/spa | Trained assessors + tourism department staff | Guest service standards tightened | Properties on Praslin and La Digue are being graded at the same pace as Mahé — don’t assume outer islands have looser standards |
| 3-Star | Good quality, essential amenities, reliable service | Trained assessors + tourism department staff | Sustainability criteria added | Mid-range hotels that score well here often offer better value than underperforming 4-star properties still using old ratings |
| 2-Star / 1-Star | Budget accommodation, basic services | Trained assessors + tourism department staff | Consistency expected across all service touchpoints | These grades are rare in Seychelles — most budget stays are self-catering apartments not yet covered by the programme |
What the New Hotel Grading Programme Actually Changes
The National Hotel Grading Programme isn’t just a cosmetic rebranding. It replaces a system that had grown inconsistent over decades, where properties could claim star ratings without external verification. The new framework, developed with UN Tourism, puts 22 trained assessors — a mix of tourism department staff and independent evaluators — through classroom sessions and practical field assessments. They now evaluate hotels on sustainability, accessibility, guest service, and online reputation, not just room size and pool depth.
For travellers, the biggest change is transparency. A 4-star rating under the old system might have meant something different at a beachfront resort on Mahé than at a hillside hotel on Praslin. Now the criteria are standardised, and assessors are trained to apply them the same way across all islands. That doesn’t mean every hotel will be regraded overnight — the programme launched in January 2024 and has assessed 52 establishments so far — but each new or renewed rating carries more weight than before.
Lily and Ethan noticed the difference on a recent stay when the hotel’s advertised amenities actually matched what we found. The pool was the size shown in photos, the breakfast hours were accurate, and the room service menu wasn’t missing items. That kind of reliability is exactly what the grading programme aims to deliver.
How the Training Works and Why It Matters
The assessor training that wrapped up in September 2025 at Savoy Resort & Spa wasn’t a one-off workshop. It ran for a full week, combining classroom instruction with real field assessments at actual hotels. Participants learned to evaluate properties against the new criteria, which now include sustainability practices (energy use, waste management, local sourcing) and accessibility features (ramps, room layouts, bathroom design). Online reputation — what guests are saying on booking platforms and review sites — is also factored into the final grade.
This matters because Seychelles receives visitors from dozens of source markets, each with different expectations. German travellers, who led arrivals with 41,726 visitors as of late October 2025, might prioritise environmental standards. French visitors (33,589) often value service and dining. Russian visitors (27,619) may look for specific amenities. A standardised grading system that accounts for these varied priorities helps everyone book with clearer expectations.
If you’re still weighing which side of the island to sleep on, this interactive map of Seychelles’ hotels and rentals makes it easier to compare properties against the beach or the trailhead. Just remember that not every listing has been regraded yet — look for the grading date in the property details.
What the Numbers Say About Seychelles Tourism Right Now
The grading programme isn’t happening in a vacuum. Seychelles tourism is on a strong rebound, with year-to-date visitors reaching 308,854 by late October 2025 — a 12% increase over the same period in 2024. Weekly visitor peaks have approached pre-pandemic levels, hitting 9,190 in Week 42 alone. Total tourism revenue from January to September 2025 reached USD 803 million, and the country is targeting the 2019 benchmark of 384,204 visitors.
That growth is supported by the return of key international airlines and new routes from major European markets. More flights mean more options for travellers, but also more competition for rooms during peak season. A reliable grading system becomes especially useful when demand pushes prices up and you’re trying to decide whether a premium rate is justified.
Michael and I noticed this during our last trip when we compared two similarly priced 4-star hotels on Mahé. One had a fresh grading with strong sustainability marks; the other was still using its old rating. We chose the graded property and found the service, cleanliness, and amenities all matched the description. The other hotel, based on recent online reviews, had inconsistent housekeeping and outdated room photos.
When browsing booking platforms, search for hotels that mention “UN Tourism” or “National Hotel Grading Programme” in their description. These properties have been assessed under the new system, so their star rating is more reliable than those still operating under the old framework.
Practical Section: Booking with Confidence in Seychelles
The new grading system is helpful, but it’s not the only factor to consider when booking accommodation in Seychelles. Here are the practical concerns that actually affect your stay.
Understanding the Grading Timeline
The programme launched in January 2024 and has assessed 52 establishments so far. That’s a fraction of the total hotel stock across Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, and the outer islands. Many properties still carry their old ratings, which may not reflect current conditions. If a hotel’s grading date isn’t listed on the booking page, assume it hasn’t been reassessed yet. Contact the property directly and ask when they were last evaluated under the new programme.
What the Grades Don’t Cover
The grading programme focuses on the hotel itself — rooms, facilities, service, sustainability, accessibility. It doesn’t evaluate location, beach quality, or proximity to attractions. A 5-star resort on a mediocre stretch of coast might be less enjoyable than a 3-star guesthouse on Anse Source d’Argent. Use grades as a baseline for service and amenities, then layer in location research separately.
Seasonality and Availability
Seychelles has two main tourism seasons. The dry season (May to October) brings southeasterly trade winds, calmer seas on the west coast, and higher demand. The wet season (November to April) has hotter temperatures, more humidity, and occasional tropical showers, but also lower rates and fewer crowds. Peak periods — Christmas, New Year, Easter, and July-August — see significant price increases and limited availability, especially at graded properties that are gaining recognition. If you find a hotel with a fresh grading at a reasonable rate during peak season, book it quickly.
Some hotels may advertise a star rating without disclosing whether it’s been assessed under the new programme. If the booking page doesn’t mention the National Hotel Grading Programme or UN Tourism, the rating is likely from the old system and may not be reliable. Always verify before booking.
Before You Go: Seychelles Hotel Grading Questions Answered
How do I know if a hotel has been regraded?
Look for the grading date on the hotel’s website or booking page. If it’s 2024 or later, it’s likely been assessed under the new programme. You can also check the Seychelles Tourism Department’s official list of graded properties. If you can’t find a date, ask the hotel directly.
Does the grading cover self-catering apartments?
Not yet. The programme currently focuses on hotels, resorts, and guesthouses. Self-catering apartments and vacation rentals are not included, so their star ratings — if any — are self-assigned. For those, rely on recent guest reviews and photos rather than star ratings.
What happens if a hotel fails its assessment?
Hotels that don’t meet the criteria for their claimed star rating are given a lower grade. They can reapply after making improvements. The goal is consistency, not punishment, so properties have an incentive to upgrade their facilities and service to match their advertised rating. For travellers, this means a hotel that previously claimed 5 stars but was assessed at 4 stars will now display the accurate rating.
Is the grading system mandatory?
Yes, for hotels that want to display an official star rating in Seychelles. The programme is administered by the Tourism Department, and only assessed properties can use the official grading marks. Hotels that choose not to participate simply won’t have a star rating visible — they can still operate and accept bookings, but without the official seal. This makes ungraded properties harder to evaluate, so proceed with caution.
Does a high grade guarantee a good experience?
No grading system can guarantee personal taste. A 5-star resort with excellent sustainability practices might feel too formal for a family looking for a relaxed beach holiday. The grades are a tool, not a promise. Use them alongside location research, recent reviews, and your own priorities. Lily and Ethan, for example, care more about a shallow beach entry and a kids’ menu than thread count or concierge service — and no star rating captures that.
What the Grading Programme Means for Your Next Trip
Seychelles has always sold itself on natural beauty — beaches, granite formations, coral reefs. The hotel grading programme doesn’t change any of that. What it does is remove a layer of guesswork from the booking process. When a hotel displays a 4-star rating under the new system, you know a trained assessor has verified the room quality, service standards, and sustainability practices. That’s a real improvement over the old system, where a hotel could claim a rating based on nothing more than its own marketing materials.
The programme is still young — 52 properties assessed out of several hundred — but each new evaluation makes the market more transparent. For travellers, the practical takeaway is simple: check the grading date, ask questions if it’s missing, and let the new ratings guide your shortlist. The beaches will still be there. Now the hotels will be, too. For more on how Seychelles is reshaping its tourism landscape, read about how visitor numbers are approaching record levels.
References
ATTA. “Seychelles Enhances Hotel Grading Standards with New Assessor Training.” ATTA Travel, 2025. ↗
Tourism Analytics. “Seychelles Tourism on Track Toward Pre-COVID Benchmark.” Tourism Analytics, 2025. ↗
6W Research. “Seychelles Tourism and Hotel Market Outlook 2025–2031.” 6W Research, 2024. ↗
6W Research. “Seychelles Hotel Market Outlook 2025–2031.” 6W Research, 2025. ↗
If you’re planning a trip and want to understand the broader context, Seychelles has been making several moves to improve the visitor experience. European travellers will find it easier than ever to visit — visa-free access and direct flights from major hubs have opened up the islands to more travellers. The cruise sector is also getting attention, with new infrastructure to support ship arrivals. And for anyone curious about how Seychelles compares to other Indian Ocean destinations, our piece on hidden African treasures puts it alongside Zanzibar and Sossusvlei for context.
Explore Places to Stay in Seychelles
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