The Casa De Leela is a true guesthouse, with
no luxuries or frills but plenty of space. A beautiful tropical garden
surrounds the buildings, and the vibe is colorful and beachy, blending beautifully
into the environment. Everything feels open -- with lots of windows in common areas -- and there's a
charming breakfast room that feels more like a cozy pavilion with open sides. Upon arrival, guests are
greeted with a cool towel and a cold drink, very welcome after the climb from
the harbor. Wildlife and nature are part of the Casa De Leela experience, with
a bird reserve right next door, pretty much guaranteeing birdsong in the mornings. The furnishings and decor could use some updating, but that's
part of the Casa’s charm. It doesn’t feel old or outdated, just comfortable and
laid-back.

The Casa De Leela is located in the heart of
Anse Reunion, on the island of La Digue. La Digue is less touristy than other islands in Seychelles, but -- with each year -- more tourists discover it. It's less than four square miles in size, and biking is the
ideal mode of transportation. The Casa has bikes for rent (all with baskets for food
shopping), and the beaches are a 10-minute ride from the front gate. La
Digue Boatyard is less than a 10-minute walk from the Casa, and the inter-island
ferry is a five-minute walk away for guests who want to explore more of the Seychelles. The
Casa is within a short walk of plenty of shops, restaurants, beaches, and a
PADI-certified dive center, and there are two excellent take-out joints just
around the corner for those who don’t feel like cooking all the time. The
nearest airport is on Praslin Island, a 40-minute boat ride away.

The Casa De Leela offers one- and
two-bedroom bungalows and one-bedroom apartments, all with full (and spacious)
kitchens. Bungalows come with walk-in closets, and all the beds are king-size. Each unit has a large, covered, furnished patio or terrace for lazy afternoons. The kitchens have breakfast bars, stoves,
refrigerators, and plenty of cookware and dishes. Decor is plain but
colorful and bright -- like a classic beach apartment -- with white tile floors and
big windows. Some of the decor feels unstylish, especially the
mirrored closet doors, the granite counters, and the salmon-colored tile, but these missteps also contribute to the relaxed island atmosphere. All units come with flat-screen TVs with DVD players, but air-conditioning is provided in bedrooms only. Bathrooms are clean and modern, with walk-in showers and free toiletries. Note that there's a fee
for Wi-Fi, and it doesn’t cover all the rooms; guests may need to be near the
lobby to get a good signal. Daily housekeeping is provided as well.

Casa De Leela offers a fresh continental
breakfast served table-side in a charming open-air breakfast room. Guests can also order a Creole dinner (vegetarian options available on request), to be served by candlelight on
their private terrace. Beach towels are provided free of charge. Bikes (with
sizable baskets) and cars can be rented on the premises. There's also a small but
pretty outdoor pool in the garden, surrounded by comfortable sun beds for
soaking up rays.