North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles

My husband and I spent 10 days at the North Island and had the best experience. From the moment we stepped onto the island until the time we left we were treated like royalty. Douglas was our villa host and was so accommodating. He was awesome and seemed to anticipate our needs. The villa was spacious and we loved sitting outside and hearing the waves. Even when our air conditioning was not working properly Douglas had someone there to fix it promptly and made sure they were not interfering with our schedule. The food was amazing and Kevin, the chef at the West beach, was so friendly and always smiling. He would come out to greet us and make sure we were taken care of. The island itself is amazing. The beaches were beautiful and we loved being able to feed the land turtles, which were spectacular. We were also able to witness a hatching of the sea turtles and watch them go out to sea for there first time. That will be something we will never forget. The weather was not so nice during our stay, windy and lots of rain but despite that we had a fabulous time and would definitely recommend. It was the most private place were have ever vacationed and we felt like we had the island to ourselves most days. The freedom of being able to roam the island and set your own schedule was a plus.

Our anniversary week at North Island in the Seychelles was absolutely amazing — even as it wasn’t perfect. But our 2.7 million Bonvoy points were very well spent, indeed. And that’s much better than the US$74.5K it otherwise would have cost! #northisland #seychelles #luxurycollection #diving #scuba #turtles #tortoises #privateisland #privatebeach North Island is spectacularly beautiful. Having been fortunate enough to have stayed at many private island resorts over the years, we certainly think North may be the most beautiful and serene. The Seychellois certainly make it easy to love. The arrival by helicopter certainly is one to remember, too. The beaches have incredibly soft white sand, crystal clear blue/green waters, and few if any other people on any of them at any time. It all feels so worlds away from everything — even as it’s just a 20 min helicopter ride or 1 hr 15 min boat ride to the main island of Mahé. The North Island facilities and villas are all “rustic elegant” in style and generally very comfortable — and with a tremendous sense of place that makes you know you’re on a private tropical island and not the usual luxury resort. North Island isn’t the usual modern 5* luxury resort. North Island is a private tropical island luxury getaway with a completely traditional Seychellois ambience and sensibility. With the Seychellois islander service touch to match. About 65% of staff are Seychellois. Our villa was enormous and definitely rustic chic. The online videos and photos speak for themselves. It’s important to note that the Villa’s main suite bedroom and studio suite room (which I had requested before arrival to be converted into a second bedroom as a back up for air con) are enclosed and air conditioned; but the Villa’s main bathroom and studio bathrooms both are outside and not air conditioned. Not everyone will appreciate going out to the bathroom or to shower in the heat and humidity. But if I could handle it, it’s hard to imagine that most others couldn’t. My husband absolutely loved it. The GM Oliver had indicated plans to enclose the bathrooms with air con for a few villas in the coming year. I’d definitely love to stay in one of those on a return visit, indeed. One of the 10 regular villas was closed during our stay as it was getting a new roof installed, but we never heard anything of it. There are 10 “regular” villas (we had villa 😎, all around 450 square meters (4900 square feet), plus the larger Villa North Island (villa 11) at 750 square meters (over 8000 square feet) that also includes a cinema and study in multiple stories. All 11 villas are found on the East beach, along with the main Piazza restaurant and bar, boutique, activity center, library, spa, gym, and office/reception. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be had at the Piazza or in your villa. But you can have any meal anywhere on the island. Some special locations incur extra charges, but in-villa dining and even on the beach dining are complimentary

Wonderful island with wonderful staff, they do their best to attend to Guests. But such a disgrace towards the management which has no decency towards integrity and staffs' welfare and well-being. Poorly overworked staffs which at the end of the day who are working for nothing. North Island is such a 'wonderful place' but a true nightmare for the Islanders. That hotel is not who it claims to be 'A Luxury Collection'.

The staff makes you feel at home and very comfortable. The villa fits very well in nature and indoor and outdoor blend into each other. The kitchen of the two restaurants are excellent. In the morning they asked for my favourite dessert. In the evening the red velvet cake was served! The best I ever had. The people working there care for nature and make a tribute to it which gives a very good feeling.

I recently had the most incredible experience at north island, and I cannot recommend it enough. From moment we set foot on this secluded oasis, I was transported to a world of pure bliss. What truly sets north island apart is the level of privacy, exclusivity, the staff and management. Whether i was lounging at piazza or indulge in gourmet cuisine we felt a sense of tranquility that is hard to find elsewhere. If you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime escape, this is the ultimate destination. Prepare to be pampered, enchanted, and rejuvenated in this paradise on earth.

Our stay on North Island has been amazing and made even better by our villa host who was absolutely fantastic. They surprised us with dessert and cute decorations in our room multiple times during our short stay. Sunset Bar was our best dinner and the perfect every night spot for the sunset.

North Island is a paradise. Full stop. Maybe don't read further. There are roaming tortoises and turtles nesting and hatching, coconuts waiting to be picked up and eaten, lonely beaches, and short walks with beautiful views where you will find solitude and tranquility. The pathways are kept immaculate, same as the lawns between the palm trees. The local gardens provide fresh salads, but I guess the 720 Euro Wagyu steak is frozen and has traveled a long way. North Island once was a plantation, then turned into an 11-room luxury resort by Wilderness Safaris, now under (mis)management by Mariott. About 110 employees are working hard. Picture your butler preparing your sun chair at 6.30 am and still being on duty late at night. But everybody was working hard. I have been to quite a few islands like this (Mnemba Island or Quilalea for example), where there usually was a hands-on management (couple) trying to keep the employees both in line and happy. Teamwork is crucial on a small island. After all, everything is shared. North Island is run differently. We were told that under Mariott's initial management, precision and sensible rules were implemented. However, the current manager Oliver and his second-in-command, Nick, do not cope well with cultural differences, we were told repeatedly, and they were rather disengaged and lacking the expected level of hospitality towards us. Simply put, management was mostly not present, neither for the staff nor the guests. When we asked we got told multiple times „they just come here to eat“, not to solve problems. Instead of management, they had their families there though: Many „guests“ we met were no guests after all. There was the wife and son of Oliver. The wife has a reputation of mistreating staff, and the employees are terrified of her. We witnessed such an event. Then there is another woman and a baby, the wife and son of Nick. And another girl with her boyfriend, the daughter of the manager Oliver from his first marriage. So you stay on an island predominantly occupied by the management's family, keeping the staff on their toes. An awkward situation. Of course there were some, but few actual guests. We stayed in Villa #6, which was a great unit, design and layout wise, but the door of the second bedroom doesn't close from the inside. Loose nails on the deck and sawed off bolts show years of neglect. Common in many lodges in Africa, but certainly a management issue that is unacceptable at 7500 Euro a night. Clearly, we would not return under current management

There is something mystical about North Island. The many celebrity visits, spectacular photos, the most expensive Seychelles island and supposedly one of the most remote and beautiful locations in the world. As Six Senses Seychelles and Four Seasons Seychelles fans, we wanted to see what lies behind this magic and spent a week there as a family of four in June. Highlights _ Absolutely spectacular island full of beautiful nature. _ Solitude and privacy like no other hotel. _ Great and personal service (thank you Elija for the great care, that was first league!). What a warm, interested and great personality to learn a lot from. _ Culinary Heaven. Whatever you desire: whenever and wherever and whatever. Simply great food around the clock. _ Great beaches, especially for those who love waves (in June). Perhaps the most beautiful beaches in the world... _ Own buggi _ The Mediaroom is a super high quality bedroom with its own bathroom: Happy Kids. _ Direct access to a wonderful sandy beach. _ Giant free-ranging turtles everywhere. _ The owners care a lot about the island with nature and wildlife. _ Great hikes to breathtaking viewpoints. _ Large grounds per villa. _ All in all, very good and very nice service. _ Immersive dinner location on West Beach. _ Honeymoon Beach: what a dream beach. What an adventure to get there. What a dream to then be provided with picnic food and have a shower on site! What you need to know to understand North Island 1. North Island is a barfoot-nature and not a classic luxury experience. You don't need high heels and lots of shoes here. Don't be fooled by the celebrity stories, you might get a wrong impression and be disappointed on the spot. North Island is not a classic luxury, there is no marble, no seeing and being seen. North Island is a truly African version of the Seychelles. North Island was barefoot for us. Casual. Nature. Sand. Tranquillity. Beaches. Green. Relaxed. Recreation. Silence, except for the waves and the wind. 2. The villas are great and yet difficult. Great because they are huge. Because right on the beach. Great beds. Great covered outdoor area. Great because a lot is open air. Because the Mediaroom works great as a second room. Great because it is completely integrated into nature. But also difficult: Difficult because it is somewhat over-designed in an African way. The curtain to the open-air toilet folds up when you use it. The great big inviting bathtub is not usable because of many small creatures outside. The shower has no water pressure. The pool is not in the price range. And the outdoor kitchen is animated by a lot of geckos. And all of this, with all its beauty and generosity, does not fit in with 7k per night. 3. You have to like privacy and solitude to like North Island North Island is for those who like to be alone. Who likes solitude, as we like it. Those who like a lot of company will have a hard time. Everything gets lost on the big island with only 11 villas. However: We love

From the minute you step foot on this paradise island it’s made to feel like you discovered it and your the only family on it. The attention to detail and can do will do attitude of the whole team is superior to any service I have received in some of the finest resorts in the world. Our butlers Paul and Eliam are simply outstanding and made our stay impeccable in every detail. They are top level operators and felt like part of our family and we will miss them greatly. Everything is included here and we made the most of the recreation team who are amazing. Daniel meticulously ensured that two of the children who are 12 passed their open water diving course and Sammy (give that man a seybrew) led myself and my friend through our advanced diving whilst Jude took great care of the boat and the fishing trips not to mention them all making sure we kept topped up with Seybrew! The chefs led by Simon and Ricky serve up the most amazing meals tailored to your needs always served perfectly by Paul and Eliam whilst Julio Kenneth Mervyn Aury and Sandra always ensured we received quality cocktails and wine. Service with elegance and a beautiful smile! The west beach sunset bar is the most amazing place I have ever enjoyed a sundowner it’s worth coming here just for that experience alone! Our rooms were always immaculate without us ever seeing Lisa and Sophia who looked after them. The spa service is included and top quality treatments in a beautiful setting from Marlene Rima Racheal and Mohan who also kept everyone in top condition with morning yoga I don’t think the ladies will ever forget the downward dog :-) you will find some of the best beaches in the world here that pictures cannot do justice to and honeymoon beach is sublime especially when Paul and Eliam have set it up exclusively for you! Simply wow. We celebrated a birthday whilst here and Jean Paul organised the most amazing party for us which would take some beating. There are some great hikes to do here and Elliot is so steeped in knowledge guiding you and giving you the history of the island. The tortoises are gigantic and an amazing experience and Dominic also managed to invite us to observe turtles hatching on the beach which was amazing. In a nutshell this place is paradise it’s rustic it’s got the island feel it’s traditional but even if it wasn’t the amazing beautiful place that it is the team are that good that it would still be amazing! I have never been as relaxed anywhere else in the world. Thank you each and every one of you and in particular Paul and Eliam for creating the most amazing time for our families that have given us memories that will last a lifetime. Best wishes Derek laura Gary claire rocky Chloe and Jack we will certainly be back to see you all ❤️🇸🇨🏝🍻 seybrew all again soon 😂