It’s been described as “a beautiful place for beautiful people” by Conde Nast Traveller, and rightfully so. Seychelles’ North Island has hosted a guest list that includes Amal and George Clooney and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (to name a few). Why? Because the island, situated in the Indian Ocean, right off the East African coast, is your own private paradise.
Despite being the size of Monaco, the car-free island is home to just 11 villas, guaranteeing its visitors ultimate privacy, with the exception of a few giant tortoises, some of which are over 100-years-old, roaming around its four white-sand beaches. And if exotic birds are your thing, North Island’s birds alone have earned it the nickname the ‘Garden of Eden’.
Each villa is a beachfront retreat of its own, with private garden decks overlooking the island’s verdant coconut palm and takamaka trees, a sea-salt plunge pool, and of course, your own private chef.
Designed by South African designers Lesley Carstens and Silvio Rech, who are behind some of Africa’s most stunning villas from Madagascar to Zambia, each of the island’s ten villas are a sprawling 4,890 square feet, with two glassed-encased bedrooms and open-air showers. Villa 11, on the other hand, is almost double the size at 8,073 square feet, and is reserved for couples (the Villa famously housed the Clooneys for their honeymoon).
One thing is for sure, you’re not going to want to leave North. With a bike and an electric buggy at your disposal, you can make your way to the island’s spa for a quick Hatta Yoga session. Or if you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, your villa’s attendant can organise a full day fishing excursion or free-diving in its pristine turquoise waters.
If you’re not in the mood for any of the above, you can make your way to the beach bar. Tucked away at the end of the beach bordering a tropical forest is West Beach Bar, it’s the kind of place you go to for lunch and stay for dinner so you can catch Seychelle’s stunning sunsets.
A stay will set you back a cool $7,000 (26,209 AED) per night, but considering what the island has to
offer—it’s worth every penny.
