Best hotels and hostels in Madagascar

With just eight bungalows, this superb lodge is about as exclusive and secluded as you can get. The polished wooden rooms have king-size beds and a porch looking out to the sea. The garden is a work of art, as is...

Top-notch Nosy Be Hôtel stands out from the competition thanks to its highly original decor – stunning wooden furniture made on Nosy Be and lots of local artwork – and lush garden on the edge of the beach. All...

It would be more accurate to describe this place as a work of art that you stay in rather than an arty guesthouse. The work of Bruno Decorte (a Frenchman who has spent much of his life in Africa), Bakuba has...

Family-run Sakatia Lodge offers garden bungalows on a slope above the stylish open restaurant and bar. There are also beachside three-bedroom villas suitable for families (Ar1,000,000/1,100,000). The lodge...

This creative burst of liberal personality is one of the best hotels south of Tana, and it just keeps getting better. Dario and Valerio, the young Italian owners who have made this place their life’s work, have...

Beautifully designed, this lovely property sits among canyons with elegant stone-built cottages. Service is impeccable (it's the sort of place where you come back from dinner to find your bed prepared), the...

On a hill overlooking the sea, Le Grand Bleu has spectacular views from its terrace restaurant. The star attraction is the dazzling infinity pool; the hotel is also a three-minute walk from a lovely beach. Each...

Although not far from Ambilobe, this gorgeous lodge is perfect for exploring Réserve Spéciale Ankarana. Wattle and daub bungalows are widely spaced for privacy and are beautifully appointed; each has its own deck...

Staying here is akin to a high-end safari, including luxury tents (with hot water). Located on a 100,000-sq-metre forest reserve, there are just seven palm-thatched tents up in the trees. The owners, Pierre and...

Le Domaine d’Ambola is one of those special places that lingers in the mind for its serenity – you know you're somewhere special when a place lists its address as 'Beach'. The hotel sits up high on a bluff...

This ecolodge is a rarity in Antsirabe, an island of nature on the edge of the city. The owner's passion is gardening and you'll find numerous species of plant in the themed gardens as well as all the chirpy...

This is the premier resort along the Southern Reef. It’s not that any of the elements are unique, but each one is carried off to perfection. The bungalows, with enormous baths, are beautiful, the smiling...

The beauty of Tsarasoa is that it has something for every budget: penny-pinchers can camp; budget travellers will opt for the simple huts; whilst those who like their creature comforts will love the original...

You could spend days in this lovely guesthouse, a beautiful three-storey traditional Malagasy house set in a rambling garden, with panoramic views in every direction. To find it, take the stairs heading downhill...

Beautifully located on the shores of Lake Sahambavy, this exquisite boutique hotel offers a variety of accommodation, including show-stopping bungalows on stilts. The local carvings and fabrics form a refined...

One of the top beach hotels on this stretch of the coast, Vanila's design – small buildings with thatched roofs, and lots of local art – gives the hotel a boutique feel. Rooms are charming, with salmon-coloured...

Part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux network, Anjajavy is the quintessential desert-island idyll. The guest villas are luxurious, with polished wood, fine linen and their own private terrace. There are...

This resort sits high on a sandy headland, affording spectacular 270-degree views from the restaurant (mains Ar40,000), taking in a broad turquoise lagoon and the resort’s own 7km of beach! It's a popular choice...

Spectacular new lodge high on a hill above Andasibe village, the 28 sharply decorated bungalows are the last word in Malagasy plush. Each has gnarled wooden floors and bed frames, dark slate tiling, cutting-edge...

Perched on a gorgeous bend in the Namorona River, this charming, family-run hotel feels a lot like a classy homestay. The upper-floor rooms in the main building bask in a glorious panorama of rainforest and...