Best hotels in Diego Suarez

Le Domaine de Fontenay is a beautifully preserved colonial-style guest house in Madagascar’s northern region, close to the village of Joffreville. Dating back to 1904, the building has retained many of its original architectural features, and now offers elegant accommodation in eight delightful garden bungalows plus a spacious suite in the main house. Tropical gardens with hidden pathways lead into a private game reserve, home to some unique wildlife species and intriguing birds, with crystal-clear streams and tumbling waterfalls. The overall ambience is one of old-fashioned comfort, with an emphasis on the beauty of this stunning natural region.

Travel by boat from the town of Ramena on Madagascar's far northern coast across vivid blue water to reach the circular cove of Emerald Bay, one of three enclosed bays in Diego Suarez and home to Babaomby Island Lodge. This is where watersports lovers – especially kitesurfers – gather in the windy season to hone their skills and enjoy the dawn-to-dusk waves. The tented accommodation is comfortable, the staff are welcoming and helpful, the food is fresh and good and the vibe is laid-back. Don't expect luxury, but if you love playing in the ocean, we guarantee you'll be back.

Created in 2000 by Greg, a windsurf passionate, what was at the time a simple "surf camp" has become over the years the reference in Madagascar for kite and SUP stays. A boutique hotel with a limited capacity of 15 privileged guest. In a 5-hectare park facing the lagoon, sheltered from the wind and nestled in the shade of the filaos, the lodge offers services that will satisfy a demanding clientele in search of charm, authenticity and sharing. The lodge is aimed at a clientele looking for a "surf camp" state of mind without being willing to make concessions in terms of comfort and quality of services. Chill out, unplug your brain during your stay, enjoy the exceptional conditions offered by the North of Madagascar for kitesurfing and windsurfing, we take care of everything: Welcome to the Paradise of Kite, Wingfoil and SUP.

The bungalows are set in a tropical garden, along the swimming pool with sun loungers and parasols, ideal for lazing around. Designed for your comfort, the bungalows are equipped with comfortable bedding, private bathroom, small private terrace.

Camp Mantella has six cabins furnished with beds, mattresses, and bedding. It also has a large sheltered eating area with an assortment of cooking utensils. A campground is located nearby for those who prefer to pitch a tent. This area of lowland rainforest is a good place to see several species of lemurs, many birds (including the helmet vanga) and many species of amphibians and reptiles. The beautiful Cascade de Humbert waterfall is a short walk (800 m) from the camp.

The main building with a restaurant and terrace on the ground level has four rooms upstairs with balconies in addition to eight bungalows with double beds. All rooms have bathroom/WC, air-conditioning/fan and TV. The rooms in the main building are named Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and New York. The hotel is decorated with some American memorabilia, and while the President of Maison Blanche is a Malagasy entrepreneur who also runs an import business and knows how to manage a good team, he prefers to liken himself to Barack Obama rather than Donald Trump.

Hotel Allamanda is a charming spot and with the town centre just 5 minutes by car or 10 minutes by foot, you can take advantage of the many possible excursions in the city of Diego and its surroundings, or venture across the landscape of northern Madagascar. Back at the hotel, you'll find a comfortable room or the chance to relax by the pool, looking out over one of the most beautiful bays in the world.