Nosy Be Hotel & Spa

The place has potential and is probably among the island's best. Service was good at times, though at other moments I wished it had been better. My room's AC didn't work, so I had to make do with a fan. And unless you go straight to the bar, nobody comes over to your beach chair to offer snacks or drinks.

The second room was amazing, and the restaurant was great too, so I'd recommend the hotel and give it five stars. We did need to switch rooms because the toilet and shower in ours weren't working well. When we raised the issue, the owner's way of speaking to us felt a little belittling.

The setting is beautiful and everything is tidy, but the staff were blunt and rude, without the Malagasy hospitality we expected. The food also fell below what we found elsewhere on the island. There are plenty of other hotels, restaurants and lodges here, so choose another one for better value and a better experience.

The beach is beautiful, with lots of chances to snorkel or walk along it. We had several massages at the spa, all to a really high standard. Staff were lovely and helpful, especially at breakfast and the bar. The bar itself is stunning, with cocktails on the sand, and the restaurant served delicious meals. Every dinner and breakfast we had was tasty, with plenty of choice. The gardens and paths are gorgeous, and there are quite a few rooms spread around the property. We first had a large, newer room facing the construction site, which was finished in summer. We asked to move to smaller, older rooms opposite the pool, and those were perfect: air con, nice decor, warm water with good pressure, bath robes, a mosquito net and comfy beds. I was hesitant after reading the bad reviews, and I'm shocked by them. If you expect European or US standards, that's not what you'll find anywhere on the island, but our stay was exceptional for Nosy Be. One odd policy is that pool and beach towels are changed only once a week, something we didn't encounter at the cheaper hotels we stayed at on the island. The Iranja excursion they organized was amazing, though the boat was completely open and we had to shield ourselves from the sun for 1h30 each way. I'm excited to return soon!