Jardin Vanille

Jardin Vanille's central area, with its high thatched roof, has satiny wooden floors and quietly chic decor dotted with shells from the nearby beaches. The food is very good, very fresh and, while there isn't a wide choice of dishes, the chef is happy to cater for your dietary requirements. Two decks below the restaurant are being planned – one for lunch and the other for sundowners.

Wooden walkways, lit by lamps at night, link the main area to eight en-suite bungalows with simple, scrupulously clean interiors offering large netted beds and locally made pieces of furniture. There's no aircon, but the heat is not extreme and the hillside setting and shady giant palms and vanilla trees keep the temperature comfortable. The views are stupendous. Set to one side is the glamorous Tsaramanga Suite, with a massive four poster, wide veranda and direct beach access. Any honeymooners?

A wooden walkway leads to the beach, perfect for walks, sunbathing and swimming. There's a reef nearby, where the snorkelling is good and you could even see marine turtles. Explore the hotel's lush gardens, with its semi-habituated black lemurs. Take a day trip to nearby Nosy Tanikely and its marine reserve, with its coral reef, darting fish and turtles. Or hike across the mountain, passing small communities, to reach the main village, where you can eat and buy trinkets.