The biggest heavy-weight boxing match in history took place in 1974, in Kinshasa, Africa. Boxing legend Muhammed Ali made his comeback after knocking out world champ George Foreman. In attendance was a young Swiss hotelier, Karl Ammann, who had been recruited as part of the match’s organising team. Little did he know that his brush with famous people would give rise to one of the most extraordinary luxury hotel developments in the Indian Ocean islands. Indeed, some of the African art Amman collected while in Kinshasa, now adorns Residence on the Rocks.
Three time-zones East from Kinshasa, lie the 115 islands of the Seychelles Archipelago. It is a tropical paradise, and for years, land had been acquired by foreigners for their annual retreat. That is until revolution swept across the African continent and the region. Much of the undeveloped land held by foreigners, including the most pristine swath around Intendance Bay in the southern-most part of the main island, Mahé, was nationalised. This land was held by none other than George Harrison of The Beatles and actor Peter Sellers. The title deeds disappeared – tucked away in a local attorney’s office.
A few years later, a chance encounter with the racing driver Jackie Stewart resulted in Ammann being introduced to George Harrison’s business manager. Following discussions about the Seychelles, negotiations ensued to regain the property. By now new developments on the island were gradually being approved under very strict guidelines. When the original deed was finally tracked down, an offer was negotiated and the scene was set for the first five-star luxury hotel to be built on Mahé.
As part of the transaction, Ammann retained a high-lying piece of land overlooking the bay, and set out to build one of the world’s most ultra-luxurious villas, Residence on the Rocks. Sparingly used by royalty and stars seeking ultimate privacy, it offers the services of a permanent caretaker couple while also gaining access to the five-star Banyan Tree hotel below. There is also a separate and private guesthouse – ideal for a personal assistant.
Designed in a traditional Creole style, the villa comprises a two-storey main building with a central courtyard overlooking an infinity pool that seemingly plunges into the coconut palms framing the ocean below. Whenever the need arises for a magical setting, Residence on the Rocks is the perfect choice.
