Ravintsara Wellness Hotel is a hotel on Nosy Be, the island off Madagascar's north-west coast that is the country's best-known beach destination. As the name suggests, wellness is part of its identity, which points to treatments, quiet spaces and a slower pace than a typical sightseeing hotel. The exact facilities, room types and treatments offered are best confirmed when you book, because only the name, island and general character are available to go on. After days of trekking, long drives and early starts elsewhere in Madagascar, a few days on Nosy Be is a popular way to finish a trip.
Location
Nosy Be is reached by a short flight from Antananarivo or by ferry and road from the mainland, and the island has beaches, hills, crater lakes and small villages. Tours to Nosy Komba, Nosy Tanikely and Lokobe National Park leave from the island's towns and beaches, so a base on Nosy Be gives access to several of the day trips described elsewhere in this guide. Ask the hotel how far it is from the airport and the main town, and whether it can arrange boat trips and transfers.
Madagascar is large, slow to cross and wonderfully varied, so where you stay shapes the trip more than in most countries. The highlands around Antananarivo hold the capital, the royal hill of Ambohimanga and the road east to the lemur forests of Andasibe. The west has the baobabs and the Tsingy, the south has Isalo and the dry coast, and the north has Nosy Be, the volcanic lakes and the red Tsingy.
Domestic flights save days but are limited and can change, and road journeys are long, so build slack into your itinerary and check how you will reach each place to stay.
What to expect
Only the name, town and general character are confirmed, so the details below are things to check rather than promises. Ask what is included in the rate, whether meals are served on site, how the power and water supply work and what the transfer arrangements are. In remote areas, activities such as guided walks, boat trips or snorkelling are often arranged through the accommodation itself, so it is worth asking what is available and what it costs.
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and travellers who want a restful end to a busy itinerary, as well as families who like a resort-style stay with the chance to snorkel and visit nearby islands. Those who want nightlife or a large choice of restaurants within walking distance should check the surroundings first. If you want a treatment, reserve it when you book the room, and ask whether spa services are included or priced separately. The island is warm and humid for much of the year, so ask about air conditioning and mosquito protection.
Booking tips
Book early for July to October, when the best places fill and flights are limited, and compare dates in the shoulder months if your plans are flexible. Allow a buffer day around international flights, because delays and cancellations of domestic services are not unusual. Keep copies of your confirmations, carry some cash in small notes and ask whether tipping for guides and staff is customary at the place you are staying.
Why stay here
- ✓Guest rooms (check room types)
- ✓Wellness and spa services (check treatments and hours)
- ✓Meals (check what is included)
- ✓Wi-Fi (check when you book)
- ✓Air conditioning or fans (check when you book)
- ✓Airport transfers (ask in advance)
- ✓Boat and tour booking help
- ✓Pool or beach access (check when you book)
Good questions
Where is Ravintsara Wellness Hotel?+
It is on Nosy Be, the island off Madagascar's north-west coast.
Does it offer spa treatments?+
The name points to a wellness focus, but check which treatments are available and whether they cost extra.
Can I take day trips from here?+
Nosy Be is the departure point for boat trips to nearby islands, and hotels can usually help book them.
