Almost immediately after I booked Georgina’s Cottage in October 2019, I received a friendly welcome email. I should’ve known that portended to a warm homey feel of the place but I was too excited about my Winter in Africa trip to notice.
Arriving at the beach house revealed the truth: this was a well-run family operation that cared for its staff and customers equally.
The initial email asked about my arrival time “to help us plan your check-in.”
Coming from the Maldives, I had to fly to Colombo, Sri Lanka and then connect to Mahe Island, Seychelles flight that arrived at 4:35 am. Ugh!🤦🏾
Fortunately, Georgina’s Cottage could arrange for airport transportation, but unfortunately, the driver could only pick me up at 6:00 am.
No problem. I could wait in the hotel lobby, right? No, but there is a lovely patio to sit until the manager arrived.
I arrived at Georgina’s Cottage on November 9, 2019 at 6:25am. One of the housekeeping staff members was there to greet me and I was served a delicious plate of fresh fruit and coffee while I waited for my room to be ready.
Gina, manager and co-owner of Georgina’s Cottage, arrived while my room was being cleaned. After she checked out the previous occupant, she waved at me for check-in and a chat.
She told me that there was another American staying there and that she would introduce us if we’re on the property at the same time. Of course, she asked me about my life and how I came to be on Seychelles then related her former life in the USA and Canada.
Gina was born and raised in Seychelles, right here in the beach house. Georgina was her paternal Grandmother and about 25 years ago the family house was converted to a bed-and-breakfast then 10 years ago her father added the top floor and renovated the rooms to a cottage style.
Gina worked in Seychelles as a community midwife and school district nurse in her early 20s before moving to North America. There she had a successful 37-year nursing and human resources career in Montreal and Toronto, Canada and Houston, Texas. Her father’s illness and subsequent death 18 months ago brought her back home for good.
Georgina’s Cottage was left to Gina and her brother.
Georgina’s Cottage sits directly across the main road from Beau Vallon beach and the Beach Shak (a bar owned by Gina’s Nephew).
Anyway, it had rained on and off all day but after check-in – the rooms are huge (see video above) – and unpacking, I walked 1/4-mile to the right to the local store for supplies like bottled water and snacks. Then I walked 1/2-mile in the opposite direction to the shops, street market, restaurants, and hotels.
I got caught in the downpour on the way back to the cottage – I am easily chilled – so heated up some soup and went to bed.
When I didn’t let housekeeping into my room the next day, they alerted Gina. She checked on me that day and every day that I stayed there, even after I quickly recovered. I was absolutely certain that she was an awesome nurse!
More than that, we became friends.
The rest of my week I spent on the beach and having quick chats with Gina, trying not to interrupt her work.
One day, she was heading into town to the post office and – knowing that I had not been to Victoria yet – asked me to ride with her. I quickly accepted. On the way, she picked up a childhood friend then we found a parking space in the smallest Capital in the world. Literally.
On the way back to the cottage, we stopped off at Fisherman’s Cove Resort (formerly Le Méridien Fisherman’s Cove) for a drink and snack. It was my next to last day and Gina wished me well.
I spent a week here and didn’t want to leave. I knew I would miss this island paradise and I would definitely miss my new friend.
How did I find Georgina’s Cottage?
It came highly recommended for the beautiful Beau Vallon beach area.
A breakfast of fresh fruit, toast, and eggs (made-to-order) is served every morning between 8:00-9:30am with juice, coffee or tea plus housekeeping is also provided daily.
Georgina’s Cottage is a rare gem with a caring team; especially good to have when you are far, far, far away from home.
Gina and I have kept in touch over the last year. Covid-19 has been rough on us all but the hospitality industry has been the hardest hit. Thankfully, this announcement was made on January 18 ,2021: Seychelles Makes Itself More Accessible for Visitors. I hope the small island country gets the tourism bounce that it needs and that my friend’s beach house gets back to a successful run.
Keep Georgina’s Cottage in mind if you ever visit Seychelles and thank me later!
