Review: PHENOMENAL North Island Seychelles

Wednesday newsletters at all times function a resort and/or flight evaluation.

Final October, I loved a terrific vacation within the Seychelles, the legendary island archipelago of outstanding tropical magnificence within the Indian Ocean. You may learn my journey experiences right here:

At the moment: Evaluation of North Island Seychelles

North Island Seychelles is the world’s most unique hideaway, not like something I’ve ever seen. The insanely lovely non-public island resort has solely 11 opulent hand-crafted villas, all of them with non-public plunge pool, overlooking the pristine, powder-white sands and turquoise waters of the Ile Du Nord eco-reserve. North Island is unashamedly geared toward offering the easiest in privateness, location, lodging, companies, amenities and expertise. The uber luxurious resort, a favourite among the many world’s elite, gained instantaneous world fame in 2011 when it made headlines as Prince William and Kate’s royal honeymoon vacation spot.

North Island options in my high 10 lists of the finest luxurious resorts within the Seychelles, the world’s most unique non-public island resorts, essentially the most astonishing seaside retreats in Africa, the world’s finest luxurious motels, the world’s most costly motels, and the world’s finest honeymoon resorts.

Have you ever ever stayed at North Island Seychelles? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this evaluation (extra data under the YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

North Island Seychelles is the holy grail of luxurious journey. The uber luxurious resort provides an expertise that’s gentle years away from what is obtainable by most different five-star seaside resorts, not solely within the Seychelles, however on your entire planet. The enduring resort is in the identical league because the Soneva Resorts within the Maldives & Thailand, Time + Tide Miavana in Madagascar, The Brando in French Polynesia, and Laucala Island in Fiji. North Island is nearly legendary in its attract, with a whispered, word-of-mouth fame because the world’s most unique hideaway amongst its rich company.

The resort occupies its personal non-public island, positioned about 30km (18 miles) from the principle Seychellois island of Mahé. North Island is the northernmost of the 115 islands that make up the idyllic Seychelles archipelago. The massive island is round 2,5 km (1,5 mi) lengthy and 0,8 km (0,5 mi) broad, and provides full privateness and splendid isolation. You gained’t see anyone else throughout your keep, apart from the resort employees and a number of the different fortunate few who’re in a position to afford a keep right here.

Regardless of its distant island location, it’s very straightforward to get to the resort by helicopter. The Zil Air helicopter journey to North Island departs from Seychelles Worldwide Airport on Mahé and the exhilarating 20-minute flight is over the Indian Ocean’s turquoise waters, with arrival on the resort’s personal jetty helipad. If flying in a helicopter makes you nervous, you may as well simply attain the resort by boat (as I did throughout my journey to the island). The boat journey includes a public ferry to Silhouette Island (40 min), adopted by a 20 min journey on North Island’s non-public speedboat.

The outrageously unique and jaw-dropping fantastic thing about the granite island ranks among the many most beautiful tropical sceneries on this planet and can go away you speechless. North Island Seychelles’ luminous white seashores (cf. under) are surrounded by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean and fringe a tropical inside of coconut palms and takamaka bushes which can be cradled between three granite outcrops. Don’t miss the guided, one-hour hike to the dawn viewpoint above the spa, from the place you may absorb the island’s majestic magnificence from a bird-eye’s perspective.

One of many island’s main sights are the phenomenal seashores that are among the many most lovely that I’ve ever set foot on. The sand feels extremely smooth and fluffy, nearly like powdered sugar underfoot. The primary seaside, Anse d’Est Seaside, is a ribbon of gleaming sand that runs nearly your entire size of the dawn facet of the island, with all villas and resort amenities nestled discreetly within the tree-line. The western facet of the island options two, much more magnificent seashores: Sundown Seaside to the north (the place a country bar is the proper setting for consuming a sundowner whereas the seaside is washed in pastel colours within the wake of the descending solar) and Honeymoon Seaside to the south. The latter needs to be one of many planet’s most romantic seashores, because of its non-public location in a curve of the rocks.

North Island Seychelles has a outstanding historical past. From 1826 till the Seventies, the island was used as a plantation for rising fruit and spices, in addition to producing guano, fish oil and copra. After the copra market collapsed, the plantation was bought within the Seventies, and North Island fell into disuse. A brand new chapter within the historical past of North Island started in 1997 when the island was bought by a staff – together with Africa’s main safari firm, Wilderness Safaris – who turned again the clock by undoing the harm wrought by man, making a sanctuary for indigenous Seychellois wildlife, and creating the world’s main non-public island hideaway. Administration of the non-public island resort was lately taken over by The Luxurious Assortment, a Marriott model.

Beside the wonderful location, North Island Seychelles is marked out by a trendy design of understated luxurious that celebrates its spectacular pure environment. The architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens lived on web site with their two youngsters whereas designing and creating the resort, to have an actual really feel with the island. The essence of the design is to attain a stage of barefoot luxurious the place company are in contact with nature, however with all trendy conveniences shut at hand. All buildings on the island had been individually handcrafted by Seychellois and African craftsmen from wooden, native stone and glass, with thatched roofs that full the magnificent design.

The resort’s communal amenities conveniently cluster shut to at least one one other in “the Piazza” round a powerful Indian almond tree within the southern nook of Anse d’Est Seaside. The format of the general public areas – which embody a lounge, bar, eating room, library, boutique store and dive middle – echoes that of a small island village with historic layering. The open-sided, sunken lounge and adjoining eating room function a minimalist, natural structure, each of them providing 360˚ views of the bay and adjoining granite outcrop lined with lush vegetation. Near the lounge are the library and dive middle, housed in unique coral block buildings that date again to North Island’s days passed by as a copra plantation. Though there’s a small entrance workplace desk and concierge space, the resort lacks a proper foyer.

The resort’s fabulous swimming pool is positioned alongside one of many island’s three granitic outcrops, only a brief stroll from the Piazza. The 45 m (150 toes) lengthy infinity-edge, lagoon-style pool is carved into the hill and the steep shady banks create the sensation of a dangling backyard. Though the pool itself is tucked away in lush tropical vegetation, it nonetheless permits pretty glances onto the blinding white seaside and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

North Island options eleven palatial visitor villas, all of them providing direct entry to magnificent Anse d’est Seaside. With a floor of 450 sq. meters (4 890 sq. toes), the presidential villas rank among the many largest lodging on this planet. They’re raised greater than one meter (3 toes) above the bottom to catch the cooling island breezes. Every villa (apart from villa 11, cf under) options two air-conditioned bed room pavilions: an extremely spacious grasp bed room and a second bed room that may be changed into a examine lounge. All villas even have an open-sided lounge (with couch and eating desk), an adjoining kitchenette (together with a minibar that needs to be the world’s most beneficiant one), an outside plunge pool with roofed sala (to chill out within the shade at noon when it’s too scorching for outside actions), and expansive outside deck which floats above the outsized backyard, and an insanely lovely, semi-outdoor toilet that has the size and really feel of an ultraluxe bathtub home.

One villa, referred to as Villa 11 or Villa North Island, differs from the opposite ten villas. Not solely has it been designed in another way to accommodate the incline alongside the intense northern facet of Anse d’est Seaside, it’s additionally extra of a resort throughout the resort with a staggering abundance of area totaling 750 sq. meters (8072 sq. toes). A big portion of that area has been added in a number of, tiered ranges cascading down the granitic boulders onto the seaside, with picturesque palms forming a pure body. It’s the world’s final seaside villa for honeymooners.

Every villa on North Island Seychelles has its personal non-public electrical golf buggy, which company can use to maneuver across the island. Bicycles are additionally out there for visitor use, in each grownup and kids’s sizes, for getting from one facet of the Island to the opposite with ease.

The excellent North Island spa is positioned on a rocky outcrop above the pool, overlooking turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs. There are solely three remedy rooms, every considered one of them positioned in a exquisitely designed pavilion. The resort’s skilled masseuses use pure natural elements from the island within the therapies. Upon arrival, all company obtain a complimentary, 30 minute foot, leg and neck therapeutic massage, designed to appease away the stresses of journey, and let you slip seamlessly into island mode. Additional spa therapies will not be included.

The health club is located above the principle pool subsequent to the spa, and options state-of-the-art health gear. It’s a easy glass construction with an alanga roof and it has probably the most spectacular views on the island. It appears to be like down onto the bay in entrance of Anse d’est Seaside and enjoys the spectacular sight of the varied blue colors of the ocean, so typical of Seychelles.
As one might anticipate, meals at North Island is of outstanding high quality. The resort provides a mouthwatering culinary expertise that matches its fame. Every day menus are designed in line with the newest island harvest and particular consideration is given to any dietary necessities you could have. Moreover in-room eating, there are two eating venues on the Island that lend themselves to a spread of meals experiences relying in your temper. The primary eating room provides gracious candlelit, non-public eating with the mild sounds of the ocean setting the scene for a romantic night. The West Seaside bar serves up recent scorching pizza, salads and tapas-style barbecue snacks, all excellent for sharing as you watch the sundown, lingering over a cocktail and relaxed music.

A brief stroll over the pond, off the principle eating room, lies the phenomenal wine cellar, a constructing of rough-hewn rock and nearly stalagmatic ceiling created by bamboo shuttering, a method discovered on the principle island of Mahé. The wine cellar homes essentially the most complete number of high-quality wines within the Indian Ocean, fastidiously chosen by a sommelier to enrich the flavors of North Island’s distinctive delicacies.

Whenever you keep at North Island Seychelles, you’ll observe within the footsteps of many well-known individuals, because the resort is a favourite of the world’s elite and enjoys a loyal following amongst A-listers. Prince William and Duchess Kate of Cambridge spent 10 days on North Island after their marriage ceremony in April 2011. The resort was additionally the decor for the honeymoon of Hollywood star George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin after their Aman Venice marriage ceremony in 2014. David and Victoria Beckham celebrated their tenth marriage ceremony anniversary on the island in 2009. And likewise actress Salma Hayek and husband Francois-Henri Pinault traveled to North Island for his or her honeymoon.

The Seychelles archipelago kinds a part of the world’s longest coral reef system and has a number of the world’s finest scuba diving websites. Quite a few dive websites have been recognized round North Island and its nearest neighbor, Silhouette Island. North Island has its personal diving middle and the dive masters will not be solely specialists in scuba practices but in addition within the underwater world. Should you don’t really feel snug diving, there are additionally quite a few snorkeling websites round North Island and Silhouette Island. All diving and snorkeling actions at North Island are included within the room fee.

North Island Seychelles harbors a wholesome inhabitants of big Aldabran tortoises, which are sometimes noticed alongside the sandy paths that crisscross the island. The present inhabitants is estimated to be between 80 and 100 people. The island’s most well-known tortoise is Brutus. He’s believed to be no less than 160 years previous and weighs roughly 200 kg (450 lbs). His shell size is nearly 1.5m (5 toes). This estimate for Brutus’ age might be a conservative one, as these wonderful creatures can dwell to effectively over 200. Brutus has been marked by reflective strips on his shell to forestall visitors accidents with golf buggies.

North Island Seychelles provides an all inclusive method. The room fee consists of all meals, drinks and cocktails however not the reserve wine listing. Additionally included within the room fee is scuba-diving, kayaking, mountain bikes, guided walks, half day fishing journeys and all laundry and Wi-Fi in addition to using a personal island golf-buggy (one per villa).

Though the vast majority of North Island’s company are {couples} and honeymooners, the resort is additionally a fantastic place to discover and luxuriate in as a household. There’s a variety of actions out there, each on land and within the water, that designed to maintain younger minds and our bodies energetic. All actions are supervised by skilled employees to make sure that youngsters are effectively sorted and completely secure whereas their mother and father can take day out to reconnect with one another in full peace and quiet.

There are greater than twice as many employees on North Island as company, and every villa will get its personal butler, making certain excellent service. I used to be extraordinarily charmed by the employees’s friendliness, competence and the heartfelt angle that I skilled throughout my two evening keep on the island.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Designed to benefit from the its pristine pure environment, North Island Seychelles provides the final word luxurious journey expertise, with phenomenal seashores, immaculate service, scrumptious meals, a tasteful design, and palatial lodging. The actually stupendous expertise exceeded my sky-high expectations. North Island Seychelles is heaven on earth, however you need to know the next nonetheless when contemplating a keep right here:

With a price ticket to match the expertise, North Island Seychelles is one of many world’s most costly resorts although it’s troublesome to argue that it doesn’t provide worth for cash. It’s the final word in unique holidays. And the room fee is inclusive of all meals and actions (together with scuba diving).

A pure phenomenon on North Island Seychelles, the seashores migrate across the island in a ceaseless seasonal sample dictated by the ocean currents. Relying on the stage of the cycle on the time of your go to, some seashores are wider or narrower than others, and a few rocks and coral could also be uncovered. All nevertheless are at all times inviting, and their location across the island signifies that whichever method the maritime breezes are blowing, you’ll simply discover a sheltered, shady spot of your personal to get pleasure from.

The villa’s non-public plunge swimming pools are somewhat small for a resort of this caliber, and never suited to taking a lap. However that shouldn’t be an excessive amount of of an issue, since you may at all times have a swim within the inviting heat waters of the Indian Ocean in entrance of every villa or burn some energy within the lovely communal infinity pool.

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 10/10
Pool: 10/10
Resort grounds: 10/10
Rooms (villas): 10/10
Meals: 10/10
Breakfast: 10/10
Spa: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Worth for cash: 10/10
Total expertise: distinctive: 10/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Get monetary savings: learn my ideas for getting the perfect deal at a luxurious resort like North Island Seychelles.

Learn my ideas for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Seychelles is usually bought as a 12 months spherical vacation spot and it’s. Nevertheless there may be extra probability of unhealthy climate, that’s to say rain, from November to March. The transitional months of October and April are glorious for a go to because the oceans are very calm and the climate balmy. In the course of the dry seasons (Could to September), it may be windy (inflicting seaweed on the south or south-easterly facet of the islands) with tough seas.

HOW TO GET THERE

Most company will attain North Island by helicopter, operated by the corporate Zil Air, which operates from the Seychelles Worldwide Airport (SEZ) on the nation’s primary island of Mahé. The exhilarating 20-minute flight is over verdant islands, with arrival on the resort’s personal jetty helipad. The helicopter operates after dawn and earlier than sundown solely.

Should you don’t prefer to fly, you may as well simply attain the resort by boat, with a public ferry journey to Silhouette Island (40 minutes), adopted by a 20 min journey on North Island’s non-public speedboat.

Seychelles Worldwide Airport (SEZ) is served by many airways (click on right here for a direct hyperlink to their web sites):

From/through Asia : Air Seychelles (through Hong Kong, Mumbai), Mihin Lanka (through Colombo)

From/through Center East: Emirates (through Dubai), Etihad Airways (through Abu Dhabi), Air Seychelles (through Abu Dhabi), Qatar Airways (through Doha)

From/through Europe: Condor (through Frankfurt), Air Seychelles (through Paris, Dusseldorf), Austrian Airways (through Vienna), Turkish Airways (through Istanbul)

From/through Africa: Kenya Airways (through Nairobi), Ethiopian Airways (through Addis Ababa), Air Austral (through La Reunion), Air Seychelles (through Johannesburg, Durban and Mauritius)