Forbes listing - Durban firm's resort

Description:

Forbes has listed the Collins Property Group of Durban on one of the world's most prominent business platforms, when they listed their Desroches Island resort as one of the top 10 remote hotels in the world.

The hidden jewel is in the Seychelles, 230km south-west of the main island, Mahé, and includes no more than 48 idyllic villas and a 20-suite luxury hotel. The island is only 6km long and 1km wide - a secluded and tranquil paradise where visitors can enjoy pristine surroundings.

The Collins Property Group, a privately owned diversified property company, bought the island in July 2008 and developed it into an exclusive world-class retreat.

"Desroches Island is probably the only South African-owned property to make it on to the Forbes list. The vision and ultimate success of the project has been as a result of a valuable working relationship between we, who own and manage the resort, and Seasons in Africa, which has been responsible for marketing and managing the day-to-day operation of the island," said Collins.

Collins has been granted the rights to develop 48 villas on the island, of which 26 have already been sold.

The villas sell for about $3.2 million (R21.9m).