L'Heure Bleue

The staff are welcoming and friendly, and the food is great. They even make up your bed at the end of the afternoon and put mosquito repellent sticks in the room each night. The rooms and restaurant have great views. The location is close to the center, but far enough away to escape the chaos.

The lodges and bungalows are really beautiful, with a great view, and we had a lovely stay at this beachfront hotel. The staff were very friendly, and the vegetarian dishes were very good. The menu is quite small and doesn't change, though, so eating there got monotonous after a few days.

We loved the small, personal feel of L’Heure Bleue. With only 18 lodges and bungalows, it felt as if we had the place to ourselves. The staff were sooo friendly, got to know us, and were always happy to help. The manager was very friendly too. The setting was even more beautiful than the pictures, and it was hard to say goodbye. We arrived early and they let us check in ahead of time, then also gave us a late checkout without an extra fee. The walk along the beach to Ambatoloaka is short. There’s no AC, but we had two fans, mosquito nets and mosquito repelling incense at sunset. Everything looked beautiful, from the rooms and restaurant to the infinity pool and salt water pool. The food was fantastic, and WiFi worked really well throughout the property. We’re so glad we chose this boutique hotel over Royal Beach, Nosy Be hotel or Andilana, which cater to 300+ customers.

The two pools have different settings: one has an infinity-like edge with bay views and a relaxed feel, while the other is nearer the hillside, among tropical greenery and more secluded. The luxury lodge we stayed in was spacious and had a large balcony overlooking the bay. The smaller bungalows seemed a bit cramped, though they're a more economical option. L’Heure Bleue is on Madirokely Beach on Nosy Be. The waterfront bungalows feel cozy and authentic, but without air conditioning it can be hard to stay cool. Their open design may also let insects in, so the mosquito nets over the beds are essential. The restaurant serves French-Malagasy food, with fresh seafood and local flavors. Lunch and dinner menus rotate, but breakfast stays the same each day: fruit, bread and croissants, eggs or pancakes, fresh juice, and tea or coffee. The excursions desk was useful. We took one organized trip and found it worthwhile and well run. Excursions must be paid for in cash, so bring some or go to an ATM in town. The airport transfer costs €15 per person and made arrival and departure easy. For the return, we asked the taxi driver directly, who offered around 25€ total, so we went with that. Staff were friendly and attentive, although service moves at the island's relaxed pace. Patience helps. The place is mostly French oriented and mainly caters to that market. We managed despite the language difference, but often had to use Google Translate. It's an ok choice if you want tranquility and an authentic Nosy Be experience. There’s no air conditioning, but the setting is serene, the meals are good and excursions are available. The beachside location is stunning, and airport transfers are another convenience.