Breaking news for all travel lovers: ASMALLWORLD AG announced it will manage the renowned North Island Resort in the Seychelles, that will join Marriott International’s the Luxury Collection brand portfolio in December 2019. This unparalleled island paradise is the first hotel in the newly-created ASMALLWORLD Hotel Collection.
North Island is one of the world’s most iconic holiday destinations: Prince William and Kate spent their honeymoon at this hotel, as did George and Amal Clooney for obvious reason: featuring just eleven private guest villas, the luxury private island resort is offering each guest an unparalleled sense of exclusivity and outstanding service. The accommodations have all been created from local materials, balancing luxury and simplicity to form a signature architectural style they call «barefoot luxury».
Being eco-friendly plays an important role on the small island that is located amongst the inner granitic islands of Seychelles, approximately 30 kilometres northeast of the largest island, called Mahe. Since its opening in 1997, North Island has been a recognized sustainable tourism destination. North Island boasts fertile land and has been referred to as the «laboratories of evolution» due to its rich biodiversity and natural, stunning aesthetics. The tropical retreat is set in 210 hectares of lush vegetation and is home to coconut palms and takamaka trees, all surrounded by pristine beaches and the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. In 2006, the island implemented a conservation and island rehabilitation program to protect endangered and endemic species on the island and to preserve its diverse ecosystem.
Arriving at the property is both simple and tailored for guests, with the site being a 15-minute helicopter transfer or a one-hour boat trip from Mahe Island. Once you step foot on North Island, your experience is completely customised to the holiday you are seeking. The rules are the ones you make yourselves: your schedule is only as full as you wish it to be, and the dress code reflects your own personal style. Your villa will become your own private beach home with colours evoking the marine environment. The fusion of rough and smooth textures and simple and sophisticated forms combined create an entirely authentic, contextual, and sumptuous sanctuary.
North Island features ten 450 sqm private guest villas and one extra large villa of 750 sqm, offering each guest an unparalleled sense of exclusivity and luxury. The island also houses a lounge, dining room and library, health spa and gym, an infinity pool and a sunset bar and restaurant located away on the western side of the island. Rates start around $ 8,000 per night.
Seychelles have been described as the «Galapagos of the Indian Ocean».
ASMALLWORLD takes over management of North Island through its newly incorporated subsidiary ASW Hospitality AG and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the resort and its integration into Marriott International’s Luxury Collection brand portfolio later this year.
The resort will be the first hotel in the portfolio of the newly launched ASMALLWORLD Hotel Collection, that aims to further expand the collection by adding similarly extraordinary hotel properties to its management portfolio and to enlarge its service offering for its global ASW community of travel-savvy members. This announcement comes only weeks after the acquisition of LuxuryBARED, an online luxury travel agency, and will further strengthen the private social network’s position in the luxury travel space. ASMALLWORLD members can surely expect special rates and treatments on North Island.
«We are very excited to launch the ASMALLWORLD Hotel Collection with such a world-renowned hotel as North Island. This first step towards building our very own luxury hotel collection will allow us to offer our travel-savvy members a unique destination, while at the same time increasing the occupancy rate and the profitability of the property», says CEO Jan Luescher.
ASW Hospitality AG will be managing the island resort going forward. Michael Manz, renowned Swiss hotel owner and manager of the only Swiss Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Geneva, is the chairman of the new company. Through a franchise agreement, North Island will become part of Marriott International’s Luxury Collection brand portfolio in December 2019, and will operate as North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort.
«We are excited to further expand The Luxury Collection portfolio across the Middle East and Africa with the addition of our first property in one of the world’s most desirable destinations, the Seychelles», says Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Middle East & Africa for Marriott International. «North Island offers private seclusion along with a truly indigenous experience, making it the ideal destination for global explorers.»
It seems that ASMALLWORLD acquired a piece of paradise…
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of North Island Resort
The famous Gstaad Palace opens its doors one week before the season officially starts just for the ASW Winter Weekend.
Bugatti love!
Shopping suite with La Martina.
Stunning Beluga ice bar outside.
On display: the raffle prizes, two beautiful watches by Parmigiani Fleurier.
The stunning golden decor in the «Salle Baccarat».
Dancing and hotel queen: Ljuba Manz 
The Chairman’s Apéro
Golden girls and fashionistas by heart: Irina Cerutti and Nataly Parafieva
The gorgeous ASW team!
Surprise performance by Wycleaf Jean and the Phly Boyz
Swiss cosiness
Framed by Patrick Liotard-Vogt and Ferrari racing driver Josh Cartu
Ljuba Manz with her husband Marco Conte
Former Swedish ice hockey star Peter Forsberg with his lovely wife Nicole Nordin.
With Wycleaf Jean and Patrick Liotard-Vogt
Best Friends: Patrick Liotard-Vogt, Derek Tanner, Micaela Savides, Noelle Frautschi and Dr. Pablo Richard.
Swiss cheese fondue at its best!
Let the music play!
Gian Testa and Katja Grauwiler of Grauwiler Testa PR surrounded by friends
Swedish friends: Karl-Hendrik Nilsson, Justine Petrén, Peter Forsberg and Nicole Nordin.
CEO Asmallworld Jan Luescher with his lovely girlfriend Emily Maynind
Armand Arton, Raquel Marquard and my humble self to the left.
Alain and Violet Lentz with ASW CEO Jan Luescher and Emily Maynind
Martin Tobler Parmigiani Fleurier with his girlfriend Maja El Assali
Congrats and thank you to Martin and Jessica Tönnesson for their generosity. They auctioned of a lunch with Robert de Niro on the set of «The Irishman» and a song with Wycleaf Jean.
Brothers: Patrick and Olivier Liotard-Vogt 
Former Brosis singer Indira Weis had a lot of fun.
My beautiful friend Raquel Marquard with me.
With ASW Chairman Patrick Liotard-Vogt
Beautiful table setting for the «La Nuit des Tsars».
Beluga noble Russian vodka…
… pairing yummy Kaviari caviar – a culinary delight.
Dancing to the fabulous sounds…
of the Phly Boyz.
Fondue lunch at Wasserngrat from above.
An afternoon full of laughter…
… and fun!
Amazing raffle prizes by Parmigiani for the lucky winners. 
Having fun at the after party.
Gorgeous Ljuba Manz with me
Maya El Assali and Martin Tobler Parmigiani Switzerland
Guests enjoying the Patoro cigars.
Angela Boffa, Monique and Thomas Hollinger framed by the Phly Boyz.
The Chairman’s Apéro
Derek Tanner and Alexander Manz.
Remee Jackman with Mathilde Goehler, my humble self and Patrick Liotard-Vogt.
Dr. Pablo Schneider, Patoro Cigars and Dominique Martin
CEO Asmallworld Jan Luescher
Lucy Tallo, Katja Grauwiler with Sabina Hanselmann-Diethelm (editor in chief Style Magazine and Bolero) and her husband David Hanselmann.
Designer Luca Rubinacci with his girlfriend on the way to lunch.
Love is in the air: Remee Jackman and his gorgeous girlfriend Mathilde Goehler
Luca Rubinacci with Patrick Liotard-Vogt
Noelle Frautschi, Maya El Assali and Sabina Hanselmann-Diethelm
Gorgeous couple: Dr. Pablo Schneider with Noelle Frautschi
Beautiful ambiance for the ASW Foundation Gala Dinner.
With Mathilde Goehler at the cocktail.
Princess Lilly zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg
Ljuba Manz drawing a prize.
Sarah and Daniel Klein
Having fun at the after party with Lisa Lotz and Iman Grailsamer.