When people think of tropical beach island getaway in Africa, most will think of Mauritius and Seychelles. But did you know that Madagascar has its own share of exotic beach hotels full of lavish rooms with front row seats to the ocean? The island is perfect to get more bang for you buck as you’ll be able to go on safari excursions (to see the hopping lemurs) and lounge at the beach in the same day. It’s time to show off that new swim suit, here are our picks of the top beach hotels in Madagascar.
Courtesy of resortmadagascar.com
Laguna Blu
Live like a local at Laguna Blu in Ampasilava, where guests can rent out bungalows within steps of the ocean. Guests especially love the sky-view shower, which means when showering in the night time, you’ll look up to see the stars from your room. Laguna Blu has its own reserved private beach, so oftentimes, guests will feel as if they have the whole place to themselves. Divers, you’ll appreciate the beach’s convenient location to some of the best coral reefs on the island — considered a top spot to look for starfish. Stick around for dinner, Laguna Blu has its own restaurant serving fresh seafood from the local waters.
Courtesy of andilanaresort.com/en
Andilana Beach Resort
Stay in this two-story tropical paradise where you have two beaches on both sides of the hotel. This spacious resort has 208 rooms making it easy to book without having to wait months in advance. Andilana Beach Resort has received numerous awards and recognition for its luxury setting and prime beach location. Outdoor enthusiasts can spend their days on this beach snorkeling, diving and playing tennis by the beach. Right between the two beaches is a restaurant on a giant rock, that’s the Pily Pily Restaurant where diners can be pampered like royalty with fabulous seafood while enjoying the panoramic view of the sea.
Courtesy of chantybeach-hotel.com
Chanty Beach Hotel
If you’re looking to get away from the busy crowd at Andilana Beach Resort, you might want to consider the more laid-back setting of Chanty Beach Hotel in Nosy Be. Owned by a German expat and his Malagasy wife, the hotel is an intimate setting where visitors will receive personal care. Guests will stay in a Creole-style cottage nestled under swaying palm trees and be within steps from the beach. After getting some sun on the beach, guests can easily visit the nearby town of Dzamandzar to see more of local culture. Activities offered on the premises include snorkeling, scuba diving, game fishing and dinghy paddling. Whatever you want to plan, the two hotel owners are more than happy to arrange it for you.
Courtesy of riakeresort.com/en
Riake Resort & Villa
In Sainte Marie, Riake Resort & Villa operates as a series of small cabin-like bungalows that reflect the homes of local architecture and design. The bungalows overlook the ocean and guests can go on several nature trails accessible from the resort. The nearby Ambohidena forest is ideal to spot local wildlife and exotic plants. Nature lovers, you’ll want to join the whale-watching tours offered on the premises as well as scuba diving. There are limited bungalows available per night, so its advised to reserve your room as soon as possible.
Courtesy of tsarakomba.com/uk/
Tsara Komba Lodge
Stay on one of the smaller islands off Madagascar’s main island for a true tropical escape. Tsara Komba Lodge in Nosy Komba is famous for its abundant population of lemurs and incredibly beautiful beach location. Guests will stay in private huts with high end furniture made from rosewood and antique Madagascar art pieces. This spot is fantastic for exploring on foot as you can stroll through the beach before delving into the thicket of the forest to see chameleons, hummingbirds and of course, the lemur monkeys. The lodge’s own restaurant serves “slow food” fare, serving tasty delicacies that are brought in within hours from the adjacent sea.
Courtesy of menabelo.com
The Ecolodge du Menabe in Belo Sur Mer has something unusual to offer to its guests. The hotel allows guests to have hands-on experience of what its like to be a local by engaging in multiple activities like fishing on a traditional Kalipso boat (the same boat used by local fishermen). The surrounding nature includes the saltworks, baobab forest and mangroves full of pink flamingos. Expect a raw experience at this hotel since the rooms are not full of extravagance. Instead, you’ll experience an eco-friendly setting with mosquito net beds, working toilet sand showers, and wooden construction to experience the true Malagasy culture.
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