Riake Resort & Villa

The views from the bungalows are breathtaking. Each one sits on a high sand dune above the beach, with a porch looking over the aqua blue Indian Ocean. The surf is energetic, though too rough for swimming. The restaurant serves gourmet food, and my three-course lunch on a day trip was gorgeously delicious, costing 98,000 MDA. Riake is very remote, over an hour's drive from the small island airport, so bring everything you'll need. It's a quiet, tranquil coast on Ile Sainte-Marie, ideal if you really want to get away from it all. I gave the location 3 stars because I prefer being near the action, even though the resort itself is very nice.

We really enjoyed the hospitality from Maurizio and his team, who were always happy to chat and share their experience. The staff were courteous, extremely helpful, and went out of their way to make our stay a good one. The food is a real treat, with the excellent chef turning local ingredients into both local and international dishes. The excursions are a great way to see different parts of Ste Marie, from the wide, jaw-dropping beaches and generous forests to the local inhabitants. The resort is ideally placed for visiting the center, north, east, and west of the island, with a beautiful wide white-sand beach and lush vegetation right there.

The staff were incredibly attentive, and we had a deserted beach to ourselves. This was the closest we came to remote tranquility on the island, after staying in a few different places. Getting here from the airport takes a long time. Excursions or diving mean making a three-hour round trip each day, so if you book this place, plan to spend your time here and not go elsewhere.

The owner, Roma, brings a lot of care and dedication to the place. He makes both adults and kids feel special, arranging things like open-air movie nights for children and quad trips around the island. The whole team's service was warm, kind, and attentive, and the daily housekeeping was excellent, with clean rooms and mosquito nets arranged each evening for a restful sleep. Our villa suited the family well, with plenty of space and a thoughtful, comfortable layout. The setting is beautiful, with white sand, clear turquoise water, and a sea temperature around 28°C. It really does make you slow down and feel peaceful. Meals were fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared, blending Malagasy, French, and Italian influences in refined but comforting dishes. Riake Resort & Villa Sahasifotra feels like a place made with heart, and we left with lovely memories and real gratitude. Five stars from us.