I was lucky enough to have a whirlwind visit to the adults-only sister property Labriz Resort & Spa during my trip to Seychelles late last year. Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa is very different from Labriz (which is located on an island off the mainland) as it is on Mahé, just 30 minutes drive from the airport and a stone’s throw from the famous Beau- Valley.
The capital, Victoria, is a short drive away where you will find local markets, a natural history museum, a Hindu temple, and a cathedral. You can also visit the botanical gardens where you can see the famous coco de Mer, a rare species of palm native to Seychelles. If you want a closer feel for ‘real life in Seychelles’, Hilton Northolme would be a great place to stay – and fun fact, it’s also where Ian Fleming was staying when he was inspired to write For Your Eyes Only – and when you see the incredible panoramic views, I’m sure you’ll understand why!
On the first Tuesday of each month, they organize a sustainable day where, among other activities, they invite guests to participate in an “earth hour” where electricity and water will be cut off in their villa. This alone saves 466KhW of energy, which is enough to wash laundry and power the kitchen for an entire day!
The hotel is one of the only resorts in Seychelles to use energy from solar panels to generate the hot water used in the villas and spa. They also bottle their own water directly from Mount Dauban on Silhouette Island, saving over 5,000 plastic bottles per month!
Very few places on Earth can match the natural beauty of the Seychelles. It’s unusually beautiful with palm-fringed beaches and dreamy turquoise seas, but there’s also a romantic wildness to it. The islands look very natural, much less groomed than other tropical destinations, and there is so much wildlife to see.
There’s also plenty to keep you busy if lying on the beach isn’t your style. You can hike through the lush jungle, dive or snorkel, take boat trips, rent kayaks, visit local markets or even rent a car and explore Mahé at your own pace.
The Seychelles are one of the most idyllic places I have had the pleasure of visiting and Hilton, together with the local people, are working tirelessly to maintain this paradise for the future.
TRAVEL TIPS
The Seychelles are located off the east coast of Africa and enjoy a warm tropical climate all year round. Temperatures rarely drop below 24°C or rise above 32°C. The best time to visit is between October and March.
Qatar Airways flies indirectly from London via Doha and your journey time will be approximately 13 hours (depending on layover time).
The local currency in Seychelles is the Rupee (SCR), although the Euro and US Dollar is also widely used. Credit cards are generally accepted at hotels and resorts, but you’ll want to bring Seychelles rupees if you plan to shop at local markets or eat at local restaurants.
There are three languages in the Seychelles; English, French, and Creole. English is widely used and understood.
The local cuisine is Creole; which has been influenced by African, British, French, Spanish, Indian, and Chinese flavors. The staples are fish and rice and the spice mix is a major feature so some dishes can be quite hot! However, both resorts offer a wide variety of dining options to suit all palates.
Whatever your nationality, there is no visa requirement to enter Seychelles. However, at the time of writing, all guests entering the country (regardless of their vaccination status) are required to take a PCR test 72 hours prior to departure and complete a comprehensive Health Travel Authorization form. Covid-19 guidelines may change without warning, so please visit gov.uk/browse/abroad/travel-abroad for the most up-to-date information before traveling.
Kuoni (01306 747008 or kuoni.co.uk) offers seven nights at the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa in a King Sunset Villa with breakfast. Prices for select departures in February 2022 are from £2,079 pp based on two people sharing. Includes international flights on Qatar Airways departing from London Gatwick.
