With the islands of the Seychelles recently opened to tourists and our vaccinations entirely in effect, it was easy to book tickets to Mahé (serviced directly by both Emirates Airlines and Seychelles Airlines, on a seasonal route). For our first holiday outside of the UAE in over a year, we won’t lie; our expectations were substantial. And, when deciding where to stay, after a few visits, we wanted to try a new resort. After a bit of research, we focused on the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort and Spa. Did the Hilton Northolme deliver? Keep reading to find out.
For those unfamiliar with the island’s geography, the Hilton Northolme is located on a steep site at the northern tip of Beau Vallon Bay and was one of the first hotels on Mahé. Like many similar properties, guests can expect a private beach, turquoise waters, and stunning views. The hotel is set among a rocky promontory with substantial granite boulders which frame a gorgeous view of the Indian Ocean at all times of the day (although we’re partial to sunset). The treehouse-style villas sit tucked among tropical foliage, connected by narrow pathways.
Through the hotel, I arranged for a driver to meet us at the airport, and it’s easy to find our transport on arrival. We’ll rent a car for another portion of the trip to explore the island, but for the 36 hours we’re at the resort, we’re only interested in relaxing. From the Victoria-Seychelles Airport, it’s roughly a thirty-minute journey, but the trip goes quickly as we watch the lush landscape and (somewhat) harrowing roads fly by. Upon arrival, we first stop at the welcome lodge for fresh towels and a drink, made of tropical fruits, before hopping in a golf cart to the main lobby area. One of the things that immediately impresses is the limited number of keys at the property, all of which have ocean views and some with direct ocean access. We have stayed at a few of the larger resorts and appreciate the cosier atmosphere here at the Hilton.
While there are several room categories to choose from, there are essentially two types of rooms -- hillside and oceanfront. Both types of villas are set on the hillside, with one category higher in elevation above the second (hillside villa up, oceanfront villa down). In our Ocean View Pool Villa, the top category, we cannot find much to fault. We love the wood panelling and open floor plan where the bedroom, living room, and spacious bath area flow easily. The suite also includes a panoramic ocean view, a semi-private balcony, and an inviting ocean-side plunge pool. The pool is generously sized for the property, and we love the sun loungers and relaxing swim steps.
50 | Dining and Nightlife Middle East
