Pros: Pools, gardens, and exteriors are very nice. The restaurant staff is very friendly, and they provide good service, even cooking dishes not on the French menu. The deluxe room is nicely decorated and spacious.
Cons: The BUNGALOW is very small, dark, and has no air circulation or AC; it's extremely hot. There's no light at all. Couldn't see myself in the mirror for four days, nor could I see inside. It's very humid. I had to throw away clothes that got wet because of the smell. We had one more night but preferred to leave and lose the money. There were a lot of mosquitoes, so we had to stay inside in the dark most of the time. Deluxe cottage with views: Nice views for one night, but overrated for the rest. A few meters away is the town sewer, and the smell comes and goes with the wind. No breakfast included. They charged us 30,000 AR for a continental breakfast and then charged separately for coffee, fruit, omelet, etc. It's unclear what's included in the continental breakfast - just sugar maybe. Realized at checkout that breakfast was not included. We always had a bill to sign saying 0 AR; we didn’t expect to have to pay. And it's not a buffet. Sometimes you get a small portion, sometimes a big one. I wouldn’t have had breakfast if I had known. They say pancakes, expecting several nice pancakes, but they bring a dry single crepe. Couldn’t talk with the receptionist to clarify about the double charge for continental breakfast and food, as they only spoke French, not much English. Ended up paying US$300 for food for three days. And we only had one meal, mostly plain white rice per day, as we were sick. The menu is 100% French. Fish/chicken with coconut is the only dish that’s not. And the menu is only in French. Other tourists from different places felt the same, facing discrimination for not speaking French, and finding the menu too French. On the first day, the four of us ate grilled seafood and all got food poisoning with diarrhea for three days. Talked with other guests at the restaurant, and two other rooms had the same symptoms. We were in Africa for 30 days and only got food poisoned at this hotel. no bottle openers no salt in the restaurant The manager cares more about how she looks and dresses, saying "bonjour" to everyone, than about management and the well-being of guests. hotel oriented to make money rather that give a good service and nice holiday memory. We left for another hotel few blocks from this one even if they were going to charge...
Read moreL’Heure Bleue
Situated on Nosy Be’s Madirokely Beach, the eco lodge offers waterfront bungalows with a cozy, authentic feel, though they do lack air conditioning, making it a little challenging to keep cool.Additionally, the open design may let insects in, so the provided mosquito nets in the beds are essential for a comfortable stay. We had the luxury lodge which was nice and spacious with a big balcony overlooking the bay. The smaller bungalows looked a little cramped but are definitely a more economical choice.
The resort features two distinct swimming pools, each with its own unique vibe. One pool has an infinity-like design overlooking the bay, offering nice views and a chill atmosphere, while the other is tucked closer to the hillside, surrounded by lush tropical greenery for a more secluded, jungle-like experience.
The on-site restaurant offers a rotating lunch/dinner menu, serving a variety of French-Malagasy dishes with a focus on fresh seafood and local flavors. Breakfast remains consistent each day, featuring fruit, bread and croissants, eggs or pancakes, fresh juice, and tea or coffee.
For activities, the excursions desk is a highlight, offering organized trips to nearby attractions. We tried one of their excursions and found it well-organized and worthwhile. However, be aware that payment for excursions is cash only, so it’s wise to have cash on hand, or you’ll need to visit an ATM in town.
Another convenient feature is their airport transfer service, which costs €15 per person. This service ensures a hassle-free arrival and departure, adding to the resort’s overall appeal. We did approach the taxi driver directly for the return journey and he offered around 25€ total so we did that.
The staff are known for their friendliness and attentiveness, though the pace of service reflects the island’s laid-back lifestyle. Patience and a relaxed mindset will help you enjoy your stay to the fullest. This place is also mostly French oriented and caters mainly to that market. We did fine without the language but had to use google translate often.
Overall, L’Heure Bleue is an ok choice for those seeking tranquility and an authentic Nosy Be experience. While modern amenities like air conditioning are absent, the serene setting, good meals, and availability of excursions more than compensate. With extras like airport transfers and a stunning beachside location, it’s a destination...
Read moreThis is a lovely place to spend a few days, as we did, after 2 weeks travelling the main island of Madagascar. We stayed in chalet ‘B8’ which is recommended, as it on the beach front in a quieter location. We extended by one night and were relocated to number 2 chalet - that’s fine, but not to be recommended really as it is adjacent to the restaurant, so the music, the dinner guests and staff during the day and evening all make noise - which you don’t need in such an idyllic location. I would recommend that the management don’t offer this chalet to guests at the same rate as the quieter chalets. Tip - don’t accept chalet 2 when you book - it is not a quiet place to relax. ||The food is great. There is a super bar. The two pools are perfect and the beach and the sea is right there. We walked along the beach each night for 15 minutes to the restaurants on the main strip and walked back late at night - no problems at all. Very secure. There is a good coffee shop on the strip - the breakfast coffee on offer is very strong and never hot enough, in my humble opinion. ||We did two great excursions to Lokobe and to Tanikely, organised through the front desk. The lady receptionist is helpful and charming but could perhaps give guests more information about the trips - we were not told we would be canoeing for 45 minutes on the Lokobe trip, or that a terrific lunch was included. It was no problem of course, it would just be good to know these details in advance. The Lokobe trip is highly recommended by the way - do it. Snorkelling at Tanikely is also just superb. ||I would return to this hotel and location. It has been great. Yes the nearby beach parties can be noisy - bring some earplugs. ||One last tip: the €30 airport taxi transfer that the hotel can arrange is overpriced. We did this on arrival and then negotiated a local taxi for the departure,...
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