Customize one of our recommended trips or design your own from scratch
This double-storey palm-thatch boutique hotel radiates good vibes from the western shores of Nosy Be Island, just adrift of Madagascar. Nosy be actually means "big island" in Malagasy, and although the island may be a mere 320-square kilometres, every inch distills a potent mix of flavour, fragrance, colour and, being Madagascar, rich biodiversity. Hotel Arc en Ciel is an ideal island retreat and with its brand of laid back elegance, intimate atmosphere and proximity to the sea, it won't be hard to adopt a new rhythm: wake, dine, walk on the beach, swim, relax, repeat.
From $40 person/night
The gorgeous crystal swimming pool that's surrounded by lounge chairs in the dappled shade of palms and set on the absolute edge of the beachfront.
This is a place to celebrate the tastes of Madagascar: mornings mean fresh fruit and fragrant coffee whilst evenings bring fresh seafood, straight from the sea in front of you.
This little island can be chaotic. Hotel Arc is pleasantly outside the fray - about a 20-minute drive from the centre of the action - but as a result, it can feel very quiet.
The main area has a true beach-bungalow feel with a palm-thatch roof that hangs over the facade. The restaurant downstairs is light and breezy, almost entirely open-sided and overlooks the pool and patio. The surrounding gardens are lush with mature flowering and fruiting trees that offer plenty of shade and attract myriads of birds. Above the restaurant is an ideal spot to sit and enjoy the sunset, pretty cocktail in hand.
Just 10 chalets dot the property, making for a very quiet, decidedly anti-resort environment. Palm-thatch roofs and plenty of dense foliage reinforce the easy atmosphere, but the solid walls and parquet flooring lend them substance and a touch of class. Large sliding-glass doors open onto a covered veranda, which allows ample garden and sea views. En-suite bathrooms have hot showers with excellent water pressure. Air-con helps to keep things cool.
This is an island-escape to escape the island-escape and thus many travellers choose to spend their days rather idly - lounging and sunning, dipping in the pool, eating, cocktailing, and maybe reading or wandering the beach. If you're keen for a bit more action, there are options too. Staff can help arrange snorkelling with whale sharks, dives on pristine reefs or visits to other islands to check out the wildlife, turtles and lemurs, amongst them.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch.