Twenty minutes out from the capital of Mahe, our helicopter pilot pointed to our Indian Ocean island sanctuary, first to a small beach, then to a clearing and then to two people standing by an electric buggy – our welcome party at North Island Lodge, a private island. Soon After check in at our beach side villa (complete with an open-air lounge and plunge pool), we ventured out to explore the beach, activity center, library, dive center, and swimming pool (bicycles and buggies are available for farther exploration) Dining was a true highlight the chef’s prepared what we wanted, when we wanted it but be sure to enjoy the local specialties as well.

Quick Facts

Accessibility

Accomodations

North Island Guest’s preference for privacy and their own space is met with an optimum villa design. Each villa measures 450 square meters (4,890 feet), giving guests the exclusive feeling and enough room to spread out and enjoy a unique private, island-style experience to the full.

Villas 1-10: Each Villa has two bedrooms, a master bedroom and a second bedrom. While the villa is primary occupied by one or two guests, they may have requirement to use the second bedroom for children nineteen years and younger and this is available at an additional cost.

Individually handcrafted by Seychellois and African craftsmen on the island, the principle materials used in building each villa were wood, local stone, glass and thatched roofs. All this combines for a warm and inviting space that offers guests that rare opportunity to relax completely.

The luxuriously proportioned master bedroom with change-room and writing are leads onto a large en-suite bathroom with marble bath and two showers, one indoor and one outdoor. The bedrooms are air-conditioned and all rooms have an overhead “punkah punkah” fans. The fully retracting sliding doors allow for uninterrupted views onto the lawns and turquoise seas in front of each villa.

Included are Internet Access, Satelite Television, a DVD/CD System. A private plunge pool and sauna are the finishing touches in this private sanctuary.

Villa 11: A chamption of style, the luxurious Villa 11 is completely unique, secretly tucked away in the Takamaka forest with picturesque palms forming a natural frame. Its layout has been designed to accommodate the incline along the extreme northern side of the Anse d’est Beach. The beach views from this Villa is truly spectacular from every angle. The remarkable design and positioning separates Villa 11 from the rest, and earns it a name, the Villa North Island.

Perched on rock with magnificent surprise entrance and fantastic view of the beach. The bridge is made from the trunks of two long casuarinas and leads into the bedroom suite, wich has an exceptional view.

The bathroom is the “peice-de-resistance” with a panoramic view across East Bach to Mahe, Praslin and la Digue. Here the principles of te architectual style have truly come to life. The leadwood trees tat form te posts are hoised high in te sky and frame te turqoise-blue sea. The abt is 1.2 by 2 meters and ha sloped ends (great for couples) to enable sitting and lying in te bat with ledge for champagne bucket.

A few steps beyond the outdoor shower and around te granite boulder is the suprise “spa al fresco”. This is an outdoor deck made chunky timber with massage beds and no roof, overlooking the expanse of the Indian Ocean. The area is private and , together with the hanging shower and bathroom, forms a personal spa experience at your own villa.

Food and Drink

Besides its virgin beauty, North Island is known for its fertility and the richness of the fishing grounds wherein it nestles. It is not surprising therefore, that North Island’s Lodge should draw upon these exceptional natural resources.

There is a “no menu” concept of dining on North Island.
Your personal chef, speaks to each guest, explains the north cuisine concept, gets to know your personal food preferences and then develops the menus daily around this information.

This memorable culinary experience, is complemented by an impressive cellar with some of the world’s great wines and champagnes.

Activities

Whether you prefer to be active or just want to relax and unwind, the island offering is about
fitting in with your interests and desires. Being bored is impossible on North Island, just ask Boris the 100 year old Giant Tortoise.

The island provides the enjoyment of entertainment, exercise, and wellness, while having minimal impact on the environment. If you like walks on the beach there are 4 beaches to choose from, walk on white powder soft sand for a soothing foot massage.

If you’re are upto for something more challenging, hikes up one of the two mountains will reward you with a spectacular view, promise.

We also recommend these activities:

• Scuba Diving
• Snorkelling
• Sea Kayaking
• Nort Island Gym is air-conditioned and situated near the main swimming pool.
• Island Mountain Biking
• Island Buggies
• North Island Sunset Bar
• Fly Fishing
• Trips to Silhouette Island
• Boating and Island Hopping

Special Occasions

Celebrate your life’s important milestones, a birthday or wedding to remember with an island full of family and friends, on your own private island in paradise.

Awards and Accolades

Every year North Island continues to mesmerize the world with its unmolested beauty, as witnessed by the numerous awards and accolades it receives.

In 2007, North Island was listed as one of twelve top destinations, hotels and outfitters in the world of ecotourism that have made Conde Nast Traveler’s (US) 12th annual Green List

In 2006, North Island was voted as ‘No. 1 in the World, Best of the Best’ category by Conde Nast Traveller (UK) in the 2006 9th Annual Conde Nast Readers’ Awards

North Island was voted number one by Harpers & Queen (UK) – the Best Hotels on Earth – October 2005

The Love affair includes other magazines such as, Travel and Leisure (USA), Organic Style (USA), Canadian Robb Report’s, UK Sunday Times Travel Magazine, …

Getting There

North Island is located 32km off the coast of Mahé and can be reached easily within 20 minutes by helicopter.

Flight Description: From Mahé International Airport it is only an approximately 20 minute flight, past Sainte Anne Marine National Park and Victoria. After North East Point and Beau Vallon, North and Silhouette Island are only a few minutes away. To make a reservation for this flight, please contact either North Island directly, or use a secure booking form provided by HelicopterSeychelles.com. Flights from Mahe cost approximately 800 EUR.

Rates

IMPORTANT NOTICE: North Island will be closed from 15 May to 15 August 2009 (both days included) for a planned expansion and up-liftment process which includes enhancements to the existing villas as well as the building of three additional private villas on the island. North Island will be closed to guests during the building period and rates for the three new villas will be published in due course. Bookings for the existing villas 1 to 11 will operate as normal for the periods that North Island is open. Above is our rate sheet – please note that North Island have held their 2008 rates for 2009.

Villas 1 – 10: Per Night in main bedroom of villas 1 to 10 from € 1745 per person
Villa 11*: Villa North Island (#11) Per Night for the main bedroom in villa from € 2760 per person

Single supplement for main bedroom is 100% of the per person sharing rate Per person Per Night
- age 13 to 19 years sharing second bedroom in villas 1 to 11 from € 785 Per Person
- Per child Per Night age 3 to 12 years sharing second bedroom in villas 1 to 10 from € 240 Per Person
- Per child Per Night age 5 to 12 years sharing second bedroom in villas 11 from € 240 Per Person
- Children under the age of 3 years in villas 1 to 10, Free of charge