Cacao Lodge

We felt safe and at home at Cacao Lodge, thanks to Franck’s warm welcome. My team and I stayed for 10 days after Cyclone Chido while waiting to be repatriated to mainland France. Water and electricity were difficult to get because of the weather, but we still had what we needed. We were given breakfast and a meal each day, the cleaning ladies were lovely, and everything was spotless.

We were 16 people, and Franck & Jennifer's family and team took care of every one of us. The place was spotless, and the daily thoughtful touches, morning pancakes, and delicious dinners made a difference. It felt like being at home, with a really warm and attentive family atmosphere. We went through Cyclone Chido there, and even with the water and electricity shortages, they made sure we had what we needed. Thank you, and see you soon.

The rooms get hot from the roof, and some insulation in the bedroom ceilings and main hall would help. Without it, the air conditioning has to run all day and dries out the air. Still, there’s a lovely family welcome in this old building, with a view across the whole bay of Mamouzou from the hilltop location. Franck and his wife are attentive, and Johana, Alicia, and Tony work hard on maintenance. There’s a shared kitchen with a large refrigerator, and Franck kindly lets guests use his printer/scanner. The Mamou Bar-Restaurant is right across the street, with excellent food and a lively weekend crowd.

Mayotte is hard for finding a place to stay. This is a clean ground-floor apartment, though there’s no view. The air conditioning works, but there’s no Wi-Fi, and noise from the place across the street carries late into the night.