The Runway Lodge

Set on a low hill above Anse Des Genets, The Runway Lodge looks straight across to the Seychelles International Airport runway, close enough to reach on foot in about five minutes. The five guest rooms sit among neighbouring houses, each with a private bathroom, desk, wardrobe and safe box. A pool, veranda and gazebo fill the garden between them. Breakfast is served daily by the pool or under the veranda, looking over the garden rather than the sea. You can watch planes climb out over the coastline from the terrace, a reminder of how close the runway really is. Lunch and dinner are not part of the stay, though shops, takeaways and restaurants sit nearby. Victoria, the capital, is a 15-minute drive along the Providence Highway, and Eden Island's restaurants and shops lie on the same route. The lodge also keeps a day-use room with shower facilities and luggage storage, useful for guests on a layover or waiting out a late flight. Free Wi-Fi runs throughout the property, and airport transfers are included for anyone staying the night. It is a small, practical base rather than a resort, built for travellers passing through Mahé or starting a longer trip through the islands. The orange roof marks the driveway from the road below.