North Island – Back to Its True Essence

NORTH ISLAND - BACK TO ITS TRUE ESSENCE

A conversation with General Manager Mark Sterner

As one of the most exclusive private islands in the world, North Island has always been synonymous with barefoot luxury, sustainability and hospitality that cannot be categorized by stars. After several years under the Marriott umbrella, the island is now independent again - and therefore completely itself. It is a return to the philosophy that made it famous: Naturalness, timelessness and the luxury of not having to do anything.

We spoke to General Manager Mark Sterner, who has been managing and shaping North Island since 2023, about this new beginning - about authenticity, sustainability, family happiness and the special magic that this island has never lost.

Mark, North Island has separated from the Marriott portfolio and has been independently family-owned again since July 1, 2025. What does this step mean for the island - and for the guests?

This step takes us back to our roots - to an independent identity. North Island was never just a resort, but a place of connection: with nature, with each other, with ourselves. As an independent island, we can now live this attitude even more consistently - in the way we meet our guests, how we organize their stay and how we create the lightness that makes North Island so unmistakable - a feeling that cannot be planned, only felt.

Many regular guests ask themselves whether the "old North Island feeling" is still there. How would you describe the experience today?

To be honest, it's never been better. Our team is almost unchanged - many of our colleagues have been here for over a decade. The atmosphere remains unique: tranquillity, a different sense of time, the gentle rhythm of the island. The villas are still located between palm trees and granite rocks, built from natural materials that were extracted during the renaturation process. Nothing seems reworked, nothing reinvented - it is the familiar, genuine North Island. And that is exactly what we want to preserve: the quiet magic that you feel as soon as you arrive here.

At the same time, you are carefully developing the island further. In which areas is this particularly noticeable?

We know that: There are places with larger private pools or more spectacular designs - we could do that too. But for us, the real art lies in preserving the original charm and only refining where it really makes sense. Our cuisine is particularly close to my heart: today it is finer, clearer and more inspired by the flavors of the island - authentic, honest and completely tailored to the wishes of our guests. In keeping with our credo: Your Menu. Your Venue. Your Time.

Whether on the beach at sunset, in the middle of tropical gardens or on a lonely cliff - there are many wonderful places for unforgettable culinary experiences. Our Destination Dining concept allows you to personalize every moment.

The Villa Hosts are at the heart of the experience. What makes them so special?

Our Villa Hosts are more than just butlers - they are hosts with intuition. They don't just arrange a dinner, they create memories: a lunch picnic on a secluded beach, a spontaneous snorkeling trip, a little surprise for the children. Warmth, attention and passion - that's what makes North Island come alive.

Sustainability has always been central here. How do you live it today?

Sustainability is part of our DNA. For years, the island has been pursuing comprehensive renaturation with the Noah's Ark Initiative - from planting endemic vegetation to protecting endangered species on land and in the sea. Our guests can get involved themselves: planting seedlings, observing turtles, consciously experiencing nature. The result is a luxury that goes far beyond the material - meaningful, genuine and future-oriented.

Why is North Island so special for families?

Because you can feel yourself again here - without a plan, without pressure. A day might start barefoot in the sand at breakfast, followed by a game of soccer on the beach, a short jungle hike or a snorkeling tour - and end with a private movie night under the stars. Children experience freedom, parents serenity. Together, memories are created that last.

And what do you want guests to feel when they leave the island?

That they leave feeling lighter than when they arrived. North Island is not a place you just visit - it stays with you for a long time. Once you've been here, you take a piece of it with you: Peace, grounding, joy. For me, that is the greatest luxury - and the best confirmation of our work.