Minor Hotel Group has unveiled its first resort in the Seychelles after the company took over management of the former Le Meridien Barbarons Beach

Hotel.

The Thai hotel group will relaunch the facility as an Avani-branded hotel in the fourth quarter of 2014 after a US$8m (€5.7m, £4.7m) eight-month refurbishment.

“With our six existing properties in the Maldives and two in Sri Lanka, we are already a key player in the Indian Ocean and aim to strengthen this position with additional Anantara and Avani resorts under development in the Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of the Minor Hotel Group in a statement.

Once reopened, the Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa will feature 124 bedrooms and suites – all with balconies or terraces overlooking the Indian Ocean. Resort facilities will include a beach-level restaurant and bar, a rooftop terrace, a large freshwater swimming pool, kids’ club, gym and a spa with four treatment rooms, plus a plunge pool and steamroom.

The resort will provide access to a 600m (1,969ft) stretch of beach, conference facilities and a 180-person ballroom.

Minor launched the Avani Hotels & Resorts brand in 2011, which now includes a portfolio of five properties – two in Sri Lanka, two in Vietnam and one in Malaysia.

In addition to the Avani Seychelles Barbarons, two further Avani hotels are scheduled to join the portfolio later this year – one in Bangkok and one in Pemba Beach, Mozambique.