Le Grand Bleu

We spent one week at the Le Grand Bleu. The hotel is ~45 minutes from the airport. Just an FYI-aside: When both arriving and departing the airport, be prepared. It is quite the cluster! As for the hotel, we stayed in the four-bedroom bungalow. The room was large with plenty of space. The bathroom was fine and no issues. The separate sink and shower were fine. Water was hot and water pressure was adequate. Another FYI, however, is that during showers, the water will occasionally stop. Just stop for about 10 seconds. Then, it starts up again. It can happen multiple times during a shower. It is not a big deal. The water starts again, but something to be aware of. Not a deal breaker and all the plumbing works well. The hotel shines with service. Dany, who was traveling the week of our vacation, was always responsive. The staff were the best we have ever had. Nothing was too small of an issue. They carried our bags (we had heavy bags, including two dive bags), accommodated special food requests, arranged tours, and arranged all of our diving. I cannot say it enough. The staff continuously went out of their way to help! The included breakfast was the standard food. Lunches, when we were there, and dinners we also excellent. One power tip is to put your order in about an hour before you want to eat. They had an ample wine selection. And, when my family returned from town with wine, we could bring it to dinner without having to pay a corkage fee. One other point to consider is that hotel is located “up the hill.” It requires walking. One final point. There are no diet sodas or sugar substitutes on the island. We brought our own Equal. But no diet Coke or Pepsi, no Tab or Coke/Pepsi Zero, etc. Madagascar was a bucket list trip. We will not return. But if we did, we would stay at the Le Grand Bleu!

Le Grand Bleu is a charming, medium-sized hotel that perfectly balances comfort, tranquility, and family-friendly hospitality. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted by Dany, the charismatic French-Canadian host who immediately sets a warm and welcoming tone. Nestled away from the busier parts of Nosy Be, Le Grand Bleu offers a peaceful retreat while still being conveniently close to the main road, making it easy to catch a TukTuk for exploring. The lush garden is beautifully maintained, and the swimming pool is large enough for a relaxing dip or a quick swim. Despite visiting during the rainy season, we were delighted that the rain only came at night—adding to the tropical ambiance without interrupting our plans. We stayed in a family bungalow, which was ideal for our family of four (with two daughters, aged 14 and 10). The bungalow offers plenty of privacy, with enough space between neighbors to feel at home. It featured two bedrooms: the main room with air conditioning and a mini fridge, and a secondary room with a single bed and a bunk bed. The setup was practical and comfortable, making it an excellent choice for families. - Le Grand Bleu fosters a welcoming atmosphere for families, and our children enjoyed meeting and playing with other young guests. The hotel also takes a strong stance against sex tourism—a commendable effort given the challenges faced in Nosy Be. We appreciated the absence of uncomfortable situations like older men with young women, which made our stay even more enjoyable as a family. The on-site restaurant was a highlight of our stay: • Breakfast: You can choose between a European-style breakfast or a traditional Malagasy rice soup with meat, which I highly recommend trying. • Lunch & Dinner: The menu is diverse, with daily specials that keep things fresh and exciting. While the pizza base was a bit too crispy for my taste, and the fried chicken/nuggets were slightly overcooked, overall, the meals were delightful. The staff’s attention to quality was evident—they even advised against ordering zebu when the day’s delivery didn’t meet their high standards. • Poutine: Being run by a French-Canadian, you will find this iconic meal from Québec. • Desserts: The homemade peanut ice cream deserves a special mention, being my personal favorite. The hotel’s Christmas Eve celebration was a standout experience, featuring a special menu and a traditional Malagasy band. They also host similar events for New Year’s Eve. The price for the Christmas dinner was very reasonable, and the thoughtful organization made it a memorable evening. • Connectivity: WiFi is spotty, but 4G from both Orange and Telma works well. • Nearby Attractions: Andilana Beach, one of Nosy Be’s finest, is just minutes away by TukTuk. A private ride costs approximately 5,000 AR (about $1 USD). • Boat Outings: While excursions to nearby islands are pricier than what we’re used to as locals in Mauritius, they’re reaso

We went for a family dinner of 6 pax - based off reviews as one does. We eventually found the Turquoise Restaurante at the top of the hill (quite a hike). Decent atmosphere once you reached the top. First impression, even though we had a reservation for 7pm, they looked at in surprise like what? After being shown a table, we were again surprised by the restaurant having such a limited menu - felt like a snack/bar menu. We proceeded to order a pizza for the kids (x2) and a few starters and entrees for the adults (x4). Once the orders were placed it took almost a full hour to receive food. The pizza first (after kids complaining how hungry they were waiting) and the next of the meals 10 mins after that. Of the four adults (only one adult ate their meal). Two of the meals were inedible (zebu steak & bolognaise de zebu). Cheeseburger was the only half decent item we ordered. The bolognese de zebu was specifically horrible. Overcooked pasta and mince meat with no flavour at all….airplane food was better tasting!! Truly horrendous is the only way to describe it. We, subsequently, ordered the bill paid and left toute de suite. Overall, neat location but less than mediocre service, food is inedible or sub par in most meals. Avoid at all costs!!! Money much more well spent elsewhere. P.S. Another gentleman mentioned a new owner has bought the hotel and restaurant. I can see why it’s gone downhill!

This is a lovely hotel with a gorgeous infinity pool and dining area. The staff could not have been more friendly and kind. Thank you Dany!! The only reason we did not stay longer is because we wanted to be directly on the beach. The views of the water are fantastic so if you don’t want to be directly on the beach then this is a great spot!

Lovely bungalow with sea view, hammock on the terrace and a comfy chair. Bar was peaceful with a nice atmosphere. Manager was very helpful and friendly. Assisted us with transport for when we went diving. Had tortoises to watch and plenty of different flavoured runs to try.

After a physically gruelling two and a half weeks of hiking, climbing, driving, snorkelling and boating in Madagascar, we arrived at Le Grand Bleu, Andilana, Nosy Be. Nestled away from the dusty roads, throngs of people, hawkers and beggars, we were thrilled to find an idyllic oasis where we could relax and regroup before our seventeen hour flight home. For two full days we luxuriated beside an infinity pool that overlooked the Indian Ocean. We feasted on delicious breakfasts and dinners. The half fare, excludes lunch, was well worth the 24 Euros. The hotel which is run by a fellow Canadian, as we found out, exudes a level of tranquillity and hospitality that is perfect for rest and relaxation. Denys and his wife are very welcoming as are their staff. Each bungalow has its own porch with a hammock that rocks you to rest as the gentle breezes blow in from the ocean. The room itself is simple yet very comfortable. The a/c is on from 6:30pm to 6:30am to guarantee a pleasant night although we really didn’t need it. Much as we wanted to get home and be with our families, we found it very hard to leave this delightful place; we could’ve stayed an additional week there. For anyone travelling to Nosy Be, Madagascar, we highly recommend you stay at Le Grand Bleu. It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.