노스 아일랜드, 럭셔리 컬렉션 리조트, 세이셸

We have been passionate about exceptional cruises and lodges for several decades. I have often cited our trips to Antarctica, Amanikan, the 5 Amankora in Bhutan and the Widerness lodges in Botswana as some of the most exceptional over the last 25 years, but I admit that the North Island dethrones all these references in terms of exclusivity. The island has been supporting an environmental project aimed at reintroducing the natural fauna and flora of the Seychelles to the island, including giant tortoises and certain birds, as well as the takamaka, the badamier and the coco de mer for 20 years. The 11 villas, ranging from 450 to 750 m², were built in the pure Wilderness tradition, with architecture and materials perfectly integrated into the site and have aged well for over 20 years. Privacy is completely preserved. We were amazed by this stay from start to finish. Thank you to Mark, Nicolas, Peter, Moses, Chef Jones and the team for a memorable stay.

Deeply Disappointed – A Letdown from a Supposedly World-Class Resort As someone who’s visited over 84 countries and stayed at many of the most exclusive properties in the world, I had high expectations for North Island. Unfortunately, what I encountered was one of the most frustrating and unprofessional booking experiences I’ve ever had. After receiving a confirmed industry rate, I restructured my entire trip — changed international flights, adjusted hotel bookings across multiple countries, and made significant financial and logistical sacrifices to include North Island in our itinerary. Only days later, I was informed that the confirmed rate was suddenly no longer available. The new rate was more than double what had been originally quoted. The explanation? A vague and evasive response: “Due to circumstances beyond our control.” When I asked for clarity, I was told: “Unfortunately, I am not able to disclose the information.” And perhaps most baffling of all: “The uniqueness of the island sometimes makes it challenging to adapt to specific rates.” This level of opacity and lack of accountability is unacceptable for any hospitality brand — especially one that markets itself as the pinnacle of ultra-luxury. I wasn’t simply shopping around. I committed. I canceled other high-end stays and rearranged our plans based on their confirmation. As a travel advisor, luxury travel content creator, and owner of multiple businesses, I value reliability and professionalism. North Island failed on both fronts. No alternative solution was offered. No real attempt at service recovery. Just templated apologies and doors closed. For travelers who value transparency, trust, and a seamless luxury experience — you may want to look elsewhere.

North Island is wonderful when it comes to the villas, the service, the food, the activities, but is it really worth its exceedingly high price? I don't think so, quite frankly, it's overpriced compared to other luxury places on the Seychelles. When we were there, there were only 3 couples in a total of 11 villas. It's a bit laughable if you have to pay extra for cocktails and mini bar when the daily rate is around € 4600, per person mind you. All in all, it's going to be our one and only visit, I am sorry to say.

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

We stayed on North with my husband for our honeymoon and enjoyed every moment of this experience. Our villa was spacious and secluded that gave the utmost privacy. Honestly, sometimes, it felt like we were the only guests there and entire island was just for us! We were free to roam around on our own buggy, choose to have lavish breakfast in the comfort of our villa or enjoy cocktails while watching incredible sunset on Honeymoon beach. People are genuinely caring and go out of their way to make sure you don’t need to worry about any single thing because they took care of everything… You lose yourself in nature, forget about hustle and bustle of crazy city life and just stay in the moment, either it’s playing with Brutus the Giant Tortoise or heading to Spa Hill to greet the new day just in time of the sun rising. Beautiful island, beautiful memories. Will for sure come back, already as a family of three!

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