Palissandre Hotel and Spa

The hotel takes its name from the palisander (rosewood) tree, which has been used throughout the property from furniture to flooring. This warmth and homely quality is carried into the restaurant, La Table des Hautes Terres, where you'll tuck into delicacies from the 'Big Island' – when the weather's right, it's really worth sitting on the terrace. The L’Amphore Bar is an all-day kind of place with fantastic cappuccinos in the morning and cocktails accompanied by piano music in the evenings. You can also enjoy relaxing at the spa and hammam, or a dip in the heated pool.

The hotel has a total of 46 rooms, each equipped with an en-suite bathroom, king-sized bed, TV, minibar and complementary wifi. While they're not the epitome of style, the rooms have a lovely charm to them – local handicrafts like paintings and wooden totems give them a uniquely Malagasy feel. Many rooms (some from balconies) enjoy a panoramic view of the city while others overlook the cobbled streets of uptown 'Tana'. The largest offering is the suite, which boasts a spacious living room, kitchenette and hot tub.

There's plenty of diverting sights to explore whilst in Antananarivo from heritage museums to fabulous markets like Analakely, where you can buy everything from spices to handcrafted items. Enjoy a stroll along the Avenue of Independence, lined with colonial-era buildings, or visit the fascinating Queen's Palace of Andohalo. For something really different, enjoy a ride in one of the traditional Malagasy boats on Lake Itasy to see the amazing rock formations of Îlot de la Vierge.