L‘Heure Bleue

Completely renovated in 2012, L’Heure Bleue is an award-winning seaside hotel on the island of Nosy Be atop a headland overlooking the long sandy beach of Ambataloaka with its small hotels, restaurants and shops.

There are rustic wooden family bungalows (with mezzanine floors where the parents sleep) and double ones, and stylish new deluxe lodges which can also convert to family rooms. Each bungalow is equipped with mini bar, ceiling fan, safe, private bathrooms, 24-hour electricity, hot water and a terrace that overlooks the sea with private seating area.

The resort has won awards for its approach to environmental consideration and local community involvement. All of the bungalows have been designed using local and sustainably sourced materials and are full of charm.

The restaurant serves an a la carte menu of fresh Malagasy cuisine and buffet breakfasts. There is free Wi-Fi and a communal lounge and TV area. Near the beachfront is a swimming pool with bar service available.

Nosy Be, is a large volcanic island eight km off the north coast, and is the country’s most popular location for visitors seeking both beach relaxation and wishing to explore the surrounding smaller islands such as Nosy Komba, Nosy Sakatia and Nosy Tanikely. It is intensively cultivated with plantations of coffee, cinnamon, cocoa, ylang ylang and vanilla, leading to its being named the Perfumed Isle. Stunning viewpoints can be accessed overlooking eleven crater lakes, the jagged coast, and the sea towards the Radama Islands to the south and Mitsio archipelago to the north.

Certain areas are lively with bars and restaurants, while at others it is possible to find privacy in secluded coves lined with palm trees. Nosy Be supports some remarkable fauna, including a miniature frog, which grows to around 1cm long and the world’s smallest chameleon, roughly the length of a fingernail. Black lemurs can be found in Lokobe Reserve, a patch of protected rainforest in the southeast of the island.