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North Island

Mahé • North Island • OVER THE TOP

avg. $5,439 / night

Includes $286 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

Marriott Bonvoy® property

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5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

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Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of The Luxury Collection

Location

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At a glance

Private Seychelles island restored from ecological collapse, with open-sided villas built from reclaimed materials and local stone.

Best for: Ecology-minded travelers seeking remote island restoration

Highlights:

  • Eleven villas on restored indigenous forest island
  • Architecture by Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens using reclaimed timber and local stone
  • Open-sided pavilions with private beaches and unobstructed ocean views
Raw-luxuryrestorative

PB hotel design editorial

Reclaimed from near-total ecological collapse, the private island that gives North Island its name was barely habitable when the Wilderness Safaris group began its transformation in the late 1990s. The eleven villas that now sit within the island's restored indigenous forest were designed by the South African firm Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens Architecture and Interior Architecture — a practice whose approach to extreme wilderness lodges treats construction as an act of environmental repair rather than imposition. Each villa is essentially a large thatch-roofed pavilion raised on hardwood decking, built from reclaimed timbers and locally quarried granite boulders, the walls dissolving into open-sided living spaces where mosquito-draped four-poster beds face directly onto private beaches or jungle canopy. The interiors balance a deliberately raw material vocabulary — split-bamboo ceiling linings, polished indigenous hardwood floors, rough-hewn stone basins — against linens in pale aqua and sea glass that mirror the color of the surrounding Indian Ocean. Beach lounging areas extend the villas' teak decking directly onto the sand, low-slung upholstered sofas in ice-blue arranged around iron lanterns without any formal boundary between architecture and shoreline. At dusk, the beachfront dining structure, built around living takamaka trees with unfinished timber pergolas and clusters of pendant lights, has the atmosphere of a camp that grew organically from the landscape rather than being placed upon it. The infinity pool, curved into the granite headland, frames a lagoon of improbable turquoise below.

Travel notes

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About

An exclusive private island located in the north of the Indian Ocean archipelago, North Island is a secluded sanctuary of breathtaking flora and fauna, the pioneer of barefoot luxury.

Amenities

Fitness center

Pool

Kids Activities

Suites

Bar/Lounge

Public Wifi

Free Wifi

Dry cleaning

Laundry Service

Multilingual staff

North Island Reviews

125 reviews

"What we naively dreamed of 20 years ago as we planned our wedding was lovely and we are overjoyed. The reality of our experience of North Island, the beauty, the people, the flora and fauna, the food, the adventures, the tortoises, turtles, and birds, the uniqueness and gentleness of the spa, and the never-ending surprises and thoughtfulness at every moment of our time here with you all has been nothing short of mind-blowing. We know that hospitality is the job but what we have experienced here is generosity of the soul. These words cannot fully express our gratitude and emotions. Had we come here 20 years ago it would have certainly been brilliant but it would not have been with those of you we got to experience it with in 2026. Thank you for the conservation efforts, the relaxation, the conversation, the education, the excursions, the delectable nourishment, and absolutely every other part of this experience. It took us 20 years to put our feet in this sand but it won’t take us that long to return. Thank you all for turning our dream into something far greater than we could ever have conceived of all those years ago. May you all always be met with the same kindness and joy you have enveloped us in. Touzour rekonesan pou zot tou partaz zot morso paradi avek nou. Mosi & Aziza Platt"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 11, 2026

"How is it possible that this place only scores 4.6! its honestly epic. Visiting North Island is like having your own vacation home on the most incredible picture-perfect desert island, with a team of staff attending to your every whim. The F&B is better than most 5* city hotels depsite the remote location (better in may ways with the artistry of the chefs and the incredible fresh seafood) and they adapt the menu to delight and please you throughout your stay. The team are hard-working and authentic with incredible integrity, conserving the beautiful island and the creatures that live there for future generations. Baby turtles hatch on the beach, huge numbers of giant tortoises roam freely (and babies are looked after by the team until they are old enough to be released). Guests can hike for awe inspiring views, fish for their dinner, snorkel in aquarium-like seas, or just hang out in the villa being looked after by butlers that lead the world with their service ethics. Kiki we miss you since we left, you looked after us so well, bringing us food from the gorgeous menu, treats that you knew we would like, topping up our glasses of champagne and telling us all your stories. On top of all this guests at North island enjoy the use of their own golf buggy to tour the island, yoga classes that are tailor made to your needs, and spa treatments that delight. the whole team sang to my daughter on her birthday - everyone dedicated to making sure you have the best possible time - and we did, world class. when can we come back please?"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 30, 2026

"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."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Aug 08, 2025

"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."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 30, 2025

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