IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFA HR) has entered into a joint venture partnership with Indian Ocean Resorts Ltd (IOR) to expand its global portfolio by developing a luxurious hotel, residences and village marina on the 480 acre (1,942,491square metres) island of Ste Anne in the Seychelles. The development will be named ‘Zilwa’, which means ‘islander’ in the local Creole language.

Talal Jassim Al-Bahar, Chairman and Managing Director, IFA HR stated, “Seychelles was a natural choice for our next development. It offers everything that owners and guests could ever want – seclusion, beautiful beaches, azure waters, five star service and a reputation for exclusivity and luxury.”

Zilwa will be a US$ 450 million mixed-use development, covering the whole island of Ste Anne, following IFA HR’s property mix of a five star hotel, serviced residences and ultra-luxurious facilities and amenities including a marina. The development’s residential mix will include premium beach front ocean villas, secluded hillside villas, luxury marina apartments, exquisite penthouses and a Private Residence Club, all overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Werner Burger, President and Chief Operating Officer, IFA HR said, “Zilwa is the prefect addition to our portfolio. This follows our set strategy of expanding and linking our integrated resorts in Africa and the Indian Ocean region.”

Francis Savy, Director, IOR said, “We believe in maintaining a delicate balance between the ecology and the economy of the islands. We’re convinced that this new project will be able to achieve that balance and we’re looking forward to working alongside IFA Hotels & Resorts to make it happen. With our experience in the Indian Ocean region and IFA Hotels & Resorts’ experience internationally, Zilwa will offer the high-end investor or tourist the best of everything.”

Grahame Beggs, Director, IOR said, “What’s unique about this project is that the granitic makeup of the island, rising up to 250 metres, offers such a variety of residential opportunities, each catering to a distinctive lifestyle and yet all working harmoniously together in terms of design. The ocean front villas and the marina apartments have been designed to complement the marina’s ambience, while the hillside villas offer a similar sense of seclusion and serenity as does the onsite spa. Most importantly, every aspect of the development’s design is a modern, chic interpretation of the Ste Anne landscape.”

Al-Bahar concluded, “Our joint venture with Indian Ocean Resorts Ltd provides synergies for both companies to expand further into Seychelles, while maintaining our commitment to develop integrated mixed-use destinations that offer our clients a variety of asset classes to live or invest in.”