No go for Northolme

Le Northolme Hotel awaiting repairs

Originally slated to be back in business by the end of next month the refurbishment of one of Seychelles' oldest hotels, the Northolme, is still far from complete.

Built in the 1970's, the Northolme was closed in May of last year, with an intended 11 month face lift ahead of it, but major reconstruction work is still to get underway.

The project is being managed by the Wren's Hotel Group, a UK-based company that also heads up operations at the Cerf Island Marine Park Resort.

Speaking to Tourism Nation this week Cerf Island Manager, Mr Edward Leenders confirmed that the Northolme redevelopment is still in the planning stage.

"All plans are with the planning authorities awaiting approval. We hope for the soft opening by Christmas this year if all goes as planned," he said.

Mr Leenders explained that the redevelopment will see the complete refurbishment and extension of all of the hotel's rooms, as well as upgrading and enlarging the public areas.

In addition an extra 21 rooms will be built taking the hotel's capacity up to 41 rooms.

Without revealing exact figures Mr Leenders did say that the hotel over haul will involve a "several million dollar investment."

The Northolme was taken over from Cosproh (Compagnie Seychelloise de Promotion Hoteliere) in 2002 by two Maldivian companies, Crown & Champa Resorts and Universal Hotels, and the Wrens group.

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