{"id":1022,"date":"2013-12-17T14:35:11","date_gmt":"2013-12-17T19:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.guruoftravel.com\/?p=1022"},"modified":"2015-09-03T16:34:46","modified_gmt":"2015-09-03T20:34:46","slug":"hilton-seychelles-northolme-resort-exploring-seychelles-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.guruoftravel.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/17\/hilton-seychelles-northolme-resort-exploring-seychelles-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort and Exploring the Seychelles (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/a>
\nANA Business Class Chicago to Tokyo<\/a>
\nUnited Club – Tokyo Narita<\/a>
\nThai Airways Business Class Tokyo to Bangkok<\/a>
\nOne Night in Bangkok<\/a>
\nThai Airways Business Class Bangkok to Bali<\/a>
\nD’Wina Villa Kuta and Exploring Bali (Part 1)<\/a>
\nExploring Bali (Part 2)<\/a>
\nExploring Bali (Part 3)<\/a>
\nEthiopian Airlines Bangkok to Addis Ababa<\/a>
\nEthiopian Airlines Cloud Nine Lounge and Addis Ababa to Seychelles<\/a>
\nHilton Seychelles Northolme Resort and Exploring the Seychelles (Part 1)<\/a><\/strong>
\nExploring the Seychelles (Part 2)<\/a>
\nExploring the Seychelles (Part 3)<\/a>
\nEthiopian Airlines Seychelles to Addis Ababa and Back to the US<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

[NOTE: If you don’t do anything else, at least scroll through the pictures in this post – the views are absolutely incredible]<\/p>\n

As we descended down to a tiny speck of an island, we were excited to see what this group of islands held for us.  After a boarding experience that was crazier than Miley Cyrus (read the previous installment if you missed that), our flight was relatively comfortable.  We flew in on Ethiopian Airlines, one of only a few airlines that fly to Seychelles.<\/p>\n

Air Seychelles flies to a handful of destinations (Abu Dhabi, Madagascar, Hong Kong, South Africa, Mumbai, and Paris) but it’s not possible to redeem frequent flyer miles on Air Seychelles.  Condor flies a few times a week to Frankfurt, Emirates flies to Dubai, Etihad flies to Abu Dhabi, Kenya Airways flies to Nairobi, Transaero flies to Moscow, and Mihin Lanka flies to Sri Lanka.  So the options for getting to Seychelles were very limited, but fortunately, Ethiopian Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, partners with United and US Airways (until they merge with American).<\/p>\n

As we pulled up to the single-building airport, an Emirates A340-500 was parked…I think the airport can only handle 2 main international flights at a time.  We pulled up to a parking spot in front of the building (no jet bridges here!).  After a brief chemical inspection (ground staff entered the plane, and tested for yellow fever, among other diseases), we descended down a set of steps and made our way to the terminal building.  Since the Emirates flight had arrived a little before us, there was no line at immigration, so we breezed through.  The immigration officer did ask for specific printouts proving that we had booked accommodations for each night of our trip.<\/p>\n

We retrieved our luggage, and headed to get our rental car.  The airport was mostly open-air (except for the air conditioned lounge we visited before our departure flight home), and it didn’t take long before we had our fearsome golf cart<\/span> Hyundai i5 similar to this one:<\/p>\n

\"Hyundai<\/a>
Hyundai i5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Using the airport Wifi in Addis Ababa, I had already loaded maps and directions for Seychelles.  We were on the main island of Mahe, which is about 15 long and 5 miles wide.  Getting through the quaint downtown area of the capital city of Victoria was a little challenging, but we headed to the north part of the island for our first night at the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa:<\/p>\n

\"Hilton<\/a>
Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Entrance<\/a>
Hilton Seychelles Northolme Entrance Gate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Hilton was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.  When checking in, we were offered fresh mango juice in the main villa:<\/p>\n

\"Welcome<\/a>
Welcome Mango Juice at Check In – Hilton Seychelles Northolme<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The property is made up of a few dozen villas – some are built up into the mountain, and some are directly over the water:<\/p>\n

\"Oceanfront<\/a>
Oceanfront Villas at Hilton Seychelles Northolme<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was a bit cloudy when we arrived, but the views from the resort were even more stunning the next day:<\/p>\n

\"Views<\/a>
Views of Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Views<\/a>
Views of Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The resort had its own small beach with canoes, snorkel gear, etc.  I had traded points with a friend, who is a Hilton Diamond member, so at check-in we were upgraded to an oceanfront villa (normally $900+ per night).   The room wasn’t quite ready, so the concierge gave us a tour of the property on a golf cart.  He drove us around to the pool, fitness center, and restaurant areas.  After the tour, we headed to one of the bars for a drink while they finished getting our room ready.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>
View of Hilton Seychelles Northolme Bar Area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Enjoying<\/a>
Enjoying a Tropical Drink<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After we finished our drinks, the concierge was waiting with his golf cart to drive us over to our oceanfront villa #111.  The villa itself was stunning, and there was a surround sound system playing relaxing music throughout the room when we walked in.  I’ll let Lauren take you on a video tour of the villa:<\/p>\n