Hilton International and Crowne Company have signed an agreement to manage the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa, a stunning five-star, 40-villa resort on the Island of Mahe. The hotel has been operating under the Hilton banner since March 1.

"We are very proud to expand our portfolio and take the Hilton name to our first resort in the Seychelles," said M. Wolfgang Neumann, president of Hilton International Europe & Africa. "In addition to the Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa and the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa, this will give us a unique selection of stunning resorts in the Indian Ocean. This will also extend our relationship with the Crowne Company, which owns both the Hilton in Seychelles and the Hilton in Maldives."

The 40 private villas nestled on the hillside and along small beach coves of Beauvallon Bay include 14 deluxe oceanfront and 26 hillside rooms, all with spectacular ocean views. They all offer a subtle blend of Seychellois architecture and contemporary decor, with natural material and fabrics from the Far East.

The Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa features two restaurants, one bar to enjoy drinks in front of the magnificent Seychelles sunsets and an open lobby lounge. The Duniye Spa is the perfect place to soothe the body, stimulate the mind and arouse the senses. It is located on a giant granite boulder overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The hotel also offers the ultimate in water sports and recreational facilities. The resort's Scuba center offers comprehensive equipment and a full PADI instructional program. The free-form "infinity" swimming pool, which overlooks and blends into the ocean, is surrounded by a pool deck with sun lounges and parasols. With 100 meters of beautiful white sandy beach in two small coves, the environment is ideal for snorkeling and canoeing.

The Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa is designed to protect, preserve and sustain the natural environment, a paramount consideration in the Seychelles.