North Island returning to all inclusive

During my recent (and fourth) stay at North Island, there was dancing, cheering, spontaneous weeping and tortoises snorting cocaine off each other’s shells—such was the uncontainable joy at the news that Marriott’s soulless reign was finally ending.  As of 1st July, it returns to what it always should have been: nothing to do with Marriott.  And that’s just around the corner. How exciting is that?

One of the biggest changes they mentioned was the rates. They’re scrapping the overcomplicated mess and trying something different: a clean, simple, all-inclusive model.  In other words, exactly what it was pre-Marriott.

There are no longer seasonal rate fluctuations, no bed and breakfast vs. half-board vs. full-board nonsense, and no trace of the hideously named “Dream Rate.” I could tolerate the different seasonal pricing, but what made places like North Island (and Laucala, which has also now sold its soul to COMO, but kept the rates) so special was the everything’s included simplicity. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s also effortless, and that’s the whole point.

Starting next year, the rates are straightforward:

• €10,500/night for a Beachfront Villa
• €13,000/night for Villa North Island
• Children under 12 stay free; 12 and over are €1,200/night

The irony is that for a place infamous as a honeymoon destination, North Island becomes far more appealing and cost-effective for families like mine. Each villa effectively functions as a two-bedroom, and with everything genuinely included, the pricing isn’t wildly off from Cheval Blanc Seychelles, depending on the time of year.  I guess we’ll see soon enough what Fregate decides to launch at.  Let’s hope it turns into a price war and by this time next year we’re all lounging on private islands for a few bucks.

Here’s what’s now included:

– Daily à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner (selected premium menu items are subject to surcharges)

– 24/7 House beverages (selected premium menu items are subject to surcharges)

– Arrival amenities

– In-room mini bar refilled daily

– One private Destination Dining Experiences daily (Private Beach Picnic at Honeymoon Beach, Beach Picnic, Lunch or Dinner, Private BBQ, Wine Cellar Dinner, Helipad Plateau Dinner, Wine Tasting, Local Rum Tasting, Romantic Dinner by the Pool, Historical Creole Library Dinner, Dinner Under the Stars, Cooking Classes)

– Private Villa Host 24/7

– Laundry service daily

– Non-motorized activities (stand up paddle, kayak, snorkeling gear, surf boarding, boogie board & bicycles)

– Conservation activities (turtle hatchling/nesting, conservation presentation, talks, tortoise adoption and tree planting, bird-watching)

– Guided hikes (Spa hike, Bernica hike, Grand Paloss hike)

– Children’s activities (kids environmental and conservation activities, arts and crafts classes, cooking class, shell neckless making, beach activities, outdoor kids facilities, sandcastle building, etc)

– Scheduled yoga sessions

– 60-minute massage at La Vie SPA per adult daily

– One activity daily (90 minutes Fishing Trip, Sunset Cruise, Snorkeling Trip, Dive Trip, Discover Scuba Dive)

– Private movie night under the stars set up once every 5 nights

– The journey of the humble coconut experience

No, me neither with the last point. But as far as all-inclusive offerings go, they are not playing around.  North Island is off my shit list, and is somewhere I will certainly return to (and recommend to the right person), especially as a potential pairing with Fregate.

Though I’d still like them to kill every. single. mosquito. And then do it again, just to be sure.