Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
much larger Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro harbour in Brazil. It's off-
limits to foreigners and considered sacred by the Malagasy, who use it for
fi-
joroana
(ceremonies invoking the ancestors).
SLEEPING & EATING
Le Suarez
BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€€
( 82 901 28; Rte de Ramena; s/d Ar110,000 /160,000; ) This is a true country
boutique joint with an absolutely gorgeous pool that has a small waterfall and lovely thick
padding on the sun chairs around it. The 12 bungalows have thatched roofs and redbrick-
and-stone walls. Inside you'll find a breezy space with whitewashed walls and wooden
beams on the ceiling; there's more local wood in the dark polished floors and matching
four-poster beds. There is a large open-air restaurant, and excursions can be arranged. It is
about 4km from Diego's centre on the road to Ramena.
La Note Bleue Park Hotel
BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€€
( 032 07 125 48;
www.diego-hotel.com
;
Rte de Ramena; d/ste €125/190; ) The
Note Bleue is big and brash. You do get a lot of space in the rooms (each has a balcony
or terrace with a swing), but the freakish blue furniture and tiles are overwhelming. There
is a restaurant with fabulous food and house rum, however, and a huge pool with two wa-
terslides (the hotel is very kid-friendly). La Note Bleue has its own dock and boat and runs
loads of excursions. It also has a free shuttle to Diego Suarez for hotel guests. It is about
3km from Diego's centre on the road to Ramena.
Ramena
A sleepy fishing village for most of the week, Ramena (located 18km northeast of Diego)
wakes up on Sundays, when seemingly half the population of Diego Suarez comes here for
a knees-up on the beach: restaurants fill up for the traditional Sunday buffet and the beach
at the northern end of the village becomes picnic central (complete with stereos, crates of
beer and some quality dancing!).
For visitors, coming here on Sundays is a great opportunity to partake in Malagasy fun.
But staying in Ramena is also a good alternative to staying in Diego, particularly if you're
after some beach time.
SLEEPING & EATING
La Case en Falafy
BUNGALOW €€
