North Island, Seychelles, is one of the world’s most exclusive private island resorts. Historically the property was fully independent, until 2019, when it (mysteriously?) joined Marriott, as part of Luxury Collection. I could never really make sense of the logic of that, so there’s now an interesting update — starting in several months, the hotel…
Continue reading: North Island Seychelles Leaves Marriott: This Never Made Sense
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I was unaware of the Weinstein connection. Wasn't he arrested around that time? Maybe business took a hit and they thought affiliating with Marriott would deliver more guests. Who knows. I imagine the costs of affiliating with Marriott far outweighed the benefits, especially for such a small property. I imagine the hotel is 100% sold-out months in advance, at least during peak season. And it's not like many Marriott customers have enough points for a reservation at 600,000+ points per night.
I'd say the most expensive and luxurious private island resort in Africa is Miavana in Madagascar
The screenshot shows "605,000 points/stay". How long's a "stay"? One night? Two weeks? A month? ...
I'm surprised you haven't stayed there yet Ben. Any plans to do so before it leaves MT? Even for just one night?
I'd be curious to know the Marriott engagement statistics for this place. Did most people accrue points? Are there many elite members that stayed? How many people redeemed points? Was someone able to swing a 5th night free?
The split coincides with the end of the management agreement between ASW and the property's owner, which was extended for a second 3 year term from 2022 to 2025, but now appears to not have been terminated.
Separately, ASW is a very different organization today compared to 10 years ago, and most of the historical points indicated here are no longer applicable or outdated.
FYI, and on a side note, ASW is a Hyatt Privé agent that is freely accessible with a simple sign-up to the free membership.
I searched for many, many months for any award availability and never found any, so not really a loss.
It's booked-out with paying customers many months in advance, year-round, so I'm not surprised there's no award availability.
Kisawa is absolutely incredible, but it's not a private island resort. Miavana is beautiful but definitely not the most luxurious. Also really far to get to.
Having stayed at North Island right before it became part of Marriott (we actually moved up our trip in 2019 to avoid the corporate change), we were blown away by the experience. We’ve stayed at several remarkable private and nearly private island resorts including Laucala in Fiji and Kisawa in Mozambique, and North Island is right up there as one of the best. Now that the break with Marriott is taking place, we would LOVE to go back and experience North Island once again.
Wonderful news and the right decision for a truly fabulous destination!!!
A bold move,as many may be aware that the direct competition... Of North island in Seychelles as an Independent Luxury hotel is Fregate Island Private..
Closed for a full make over and reopening in 2026,North island move to be an independent entity gives it more flexibility to challenge the New Upcoming Fregate Island, in the most luxurious private island destination. And believe me it's gonna be a big bang.