Location

The island is about 2.5 km long by 1 km wide - an area of around 210 hectares

 Images

Accommodation

Each Villa has two bedrooms, a main bedroom and a second bedroom. Whilst the Villa is primarily occupied by one or two guests, they may have a requirement to use the second bedroom for children nineteen years and younger and this is available at an additional cost. Alternatively, the second bedroom can be converted into a study for guests staying in the master bedroom.

Each Villa has been individually handcrafted by Seychellois and African craftsmen on the Island. The principle materials used were wood, local stone, glass and thatched roofs. All this combines to form a warm and inviting space that offers guests that rare opportunity to relax completely. Each Villa is completely self-contained and is raised over a metre off the ground to catch the cooling island breezes.

A luxuriously proportioned master bedroom with change-room and writing area 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 overhead "punkah punkah" fans. The fully retracting sliding doors allow for uninterrupted views onto the lawns and the turquoise seas in front of each Villa. There is satellite television, a DVD/CD system and Internet access. The kitchen leads off the lounge/dining area. A private plunge pool and sala are the finishing touches in this private sanctuary.

In siting the Villas, we placed Villas 1 to 10 discretely in the tree-line, facing onto Anse d'est Beach. Villa 11(Villa North) is completely unique in it's siting. Villa 11's layout has been designed to accommodate the incline along the extreme northern side of the Anse d'est Beach and is secretly tucked away in the Takamaka forest. The beach views from this Villa is truly spectacular from every angle and it is this, together with the unique manipulation of the design, which separates this remarkable Villa from the rest. Villa 11 is referred to as Villa North Island.

Each Villa offers you:

• Elements of design and style in the Villas that epitomise the concept of barefoot luxury.
• Each Villa has two bedrooms, a main bedroom and a second bedroom/study.
• The bedrooms and dressing rooms are air-conditioned and are equipped with extra large beds, as well as lounge areas with TV and DVD/CD.
• Spacious main bathroom with marble bath, inside and outside showers and twin vanities. A separate toilet and bidet leads off the main bathroom.
• Lounge and dining area with adjoining kitchenette.
• Use of a second en-suite room as a guest room or office/study complete with Internet connection (also in the main bedroom), as determined by guests' personal requirements.
• 200 square metres of outside decking, a private 17,000 litre pool and covered "sala".

 Hotel Facilities

The SPA
North Island Spa is a place of extreme natural beauty and timelessness… it is an experience of luxury and surrender and is unencumbered, uninhibited, in touch, in tune, at ease and at peace.
Over and above our standard North Island treatments, we specialise in designing personalised holistic treatments to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. On arrival at North Island, once you have settled into your villa, our spa therapists will be available for an individual consultation aimed at personalising treatments to suit your needs. We design treatments that relieve stress, that are suited to after-exercise, that detoxify, cleanse and purify, that refresh and rejuvenate and those that provide finishing touches before leaving North Island.
We have aligned ourselves with ESPA, a holistic spa partner, whose commitment is to products and treatments that work effectively, organically and naturally.
The North Island SPA experience is about getting back in touch with one's consciousness and senses.

The activities on offer on North Island are designed to give our guests the opportunity to enjoy the Island and its magic either under guidance from one of our hosts, or to give you the complete freedom to move around the Island at your own pace, either on foot, on our mountain bikes or by Island Buggie. These activities will have a minimal impact on the environment whilst providing the thrill and enjoyment of entertainment and exercise.

Scuba diving: Seychelles forms part of the world's longest coral reef system and has some of the world's best scuba diving sites. Numerous dive sites have been identified around North
Island and its nearest neighbour Silhouette Island. We offer a "guided" scuba experience and our dive masters and instructors are not only experts in scuba practices but also in the underwater universe. PADI Open Water dive courses are offered while on the island. The Dive Centre is fully equipped with the latest BCD's, regulators, wetsuits, fins and masks. Guests wishing to dive need not bring their own hard or soft gear.

Snorkelling: there are good snorkelling sites around North Island and Silhouette Island. Masks and fins are available at the dive centre if you wish to explore these sites, either on your own or in the company of a staff member (depending on your snorkelling skills).

Sea kayaking: those wishing to explore the Island from the water are able to do so using sea kayaks with all necessary tuition and guidance provided.

North Island Gym: is air-conditioned and is situated near the main swimming pool.

Island bicycles: are available for guest use and are suitable for getting from one side of the Island to the other with ease.

Island Buggies: each Villa has its own dedicated Island Buggie. These specially adapted electric carts look like miniature 4 X 4s that give our guests the freedom to move around the Island with ease.

North Island Sunset Bar: a walk along Grande Anse Beach as the sun sets is an enlivening experience not to be missed - especially as the Sunset Bar lies at the end of the walk. This simple, rustic bar is located just above the high water mark on the northern end of Grande Anse. Drinks and light snacks can be served for those wanting to enjoy this beach.

Fly-fishing: is an option for any guest. North Island has fishing rods, tackle and flies in stock for guest use. However, we recommend that serious fly-fishermen bring their own rods and tackle.

Trips to Silhouette Island: located some five kilometres to the south, Silhouette Island is a soaring granite island, whose peaks are constantly enveloped in clouds. The granite cliffs drop sharply into the sea. Silhouette Island has few beaches, though there are some wonderful tiny coves with remote beaches that are worth exploring. Silhouette Island's attractions include an excellent example of a Seychelles plantation house (built in 1850), now a museum, and the remains of its once thriving copra processing plant.Ron Gerlach is the resident ecologist and
runs a breeding programme for the highly endangered Seychelles giant tortoises and terrapin. His immaculate research centre is worth a visit and, depending on the time of the year, you may see turtle eggs (Hawksbill ad Green turtles) being incubated. For the energetic and fit, Silhouette Island has some challenging hiking trails.

Boating and island hopping: Boating around North Island or other trips could include visits to Mahé and the outer islands, including the spectacular bird islands, Arid and Cousin, and can be arranged at an extra cost.

THE ISLAND PIAZZA
The natural focal point of the Island, the Island Piazza, is the forum where elegant buildings cluster about a magnificent Indian Almond tree. Located on the beachfront, the dive and activity centre, housing both indoor and outdoor tuition areas, changing rooms and interesting displays is where many of the Island's land and marine activities are co-ordinated.
Adjacent to the deck of the activity centre is the library. Built of coral blocks, it is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite examples of architecture on the Island and was already standing when construction of the lodge began.