Kathy Mason, owner and managing director of Denis Island Development, has appointed Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces to manage the Seychelles island.

Located off the coast of Mahé Island, the 375-acre Denis Island boasts 25 villas spread across the beach areas on its north west tip, each with its own sea-facing verandah and private courtyard.

The island will be renamed Taj Denis Island with immediate effect.

Raymond Bickson, managing director of The Indian Hotels Company, said: “We are very pleased to extend the Taj’s presence in the Indian Ocean and look forward to working with Kathy Mason and her team to further strengthen the positioning of the unique experience at Denis Island through the Taj network.

“We have been looking at increasing our geographical footprint and one of the key areas of focus was to expand our luxury resort portfolio in the Indian Ocean.”

Taj Hotels, Resort and Palaces currently operates the Taj Exotica Resorts & Spas in the Maldives and Mauritius.