Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SLEEPING
If you're waiting for a flight, there's no need to be near the airport for traffic reasons, as
there isn't any. Any of the listings are close enough, including Bakuba and Famata Lodge.
Along with the hotels listed, there are also two adjacent hotels on the ocean that manage
some downtrodden charm:
Hotel Le Recif
( 94 446 88, 032 40 755 39; Blvd Lyautey; d
Ar25,000-40,000) and
Hotel Manatane
( 94 412 17, 032 05 309 09; hotel.manatane@
yahoo.fr; Blvd Lyautey; d Ar20,000-30,000). The latter has an interesting cabin restaurant,
but otherwise you're flipping a coin.
Famata Lodge
LODGE €€€
( 94 937 83, 032 02 108 48;
www.famatalodge-tulear.com
;
d €30, f €55; ) Further
down the coast from Bakuba, 16km from town and 11km from the airport, lies this inter-
esting ecolodge. Located in the mangroves, it has five bungalows and three safari tents, all
with private bathroom, hot water and a large terrace, a restaurant, and a great pool. The
family bungalow is a steal, with an open wall facing the sea. A bit garish in spots but oth-
erwise well done.
Hotel Hyppocampo
HOTEL €€€
( 94 410 21;
www.hyppocampo.com
;
Ave de France; d Ar135,000, ste Ar189,000;
) With its great oceanfront setting, asymmetric pool, design focus and well-appointed
rooms, the Hyppocampo is the high end of in-town accommodation. The suites have huge
tubs and queen beds tucked away from a sitting room. Clientele is an even mix of European
tourists and business people.
Chez Lala
HOTEL €
( 94 434 17; Ave de France; d Ar21,000, without bathroom Ar15,000; ) This laid-
back and genial guesthouse is your best budget option. The cosy rooms in the tropical
courtyardaresmallerthanthoseintheparquet-tiledmainblock,buttheyareallgreatvalue.
A TV lounge, great espresso, loads of info, and free wi-fi help clinch the deal.
Serena
HOTEL €€
( 94 411 73, 032 45 377 55;
www.serenatulear.com
; Blvd Tsiranana; d Ar47,500, tr
Ar72,500; ) The rooms here have been beautifully designed by Bruno Decorte, own-
er of Bakuba, in 'African tribal chic' style, elevating this hotel above the pack. Take your
morning espresso in the glassed-in restaurant, the perfect place to watch the
pousse-pousse
carts gliding past below.
