VOAARA

With just eight understated bungalows and one three-bedroomed villa, the emphasis here is all about bringing the outside in. Low-slung, thatched roof bungalows are tucked away amongst waving palms or strung along the sugar-soft beach, with open sitting rooms spilling out onto spacious verandas framing the shimmering ocean like a watercolour. With understated bedrooms done up in head-cooling palettes of pale greys and creams, four-posters swathed in linen and furnishings crafted from reclaimed blonde wood, the vibe is low-key, barefoot luxury at its best. From your private infinity pool, you can spot lemurs darting between ancient baobab trees and humpback whales frolicking with their young in the turquoise waters. Between June and September, Sainte Marie is regarded as one of the best spots in the world to watch the whale migration.

Importantly, staying at Voaara means giving back. Philippe and his wife Vi are fully committed to supporting the island community, and a portion of the hotel’s profits will be directed straight back into local schools. Almost all staff are local, and over time, Philippe hopes to help tackle Madagascar’s deforestation crisis through a replanting programme.

Local flavours are reflected in the hotel’s five restaurants, with a big emphasis on as fresh-as-it-gets seafood plucked straight from the waters lapping the island. Later this year, a highly-anticipated spa will fling open its doors, raising Voaara’s bar even higher.

SUITABLE FOR:

• Couples and honeymooners
• Wildlife and nature lovers
• Those seeking barefoot luxury and proper serenity

THINGS TO DO AT THE HOTEL:

• Relax on the white-sand beach with a cocktail and a good book.
• Soak up the picture-postcard sea views from your private infinity pool.
• Enjoy an indulgent massage in the soon-to-be-opened spa.
• Head out on a scenic beach hike with a delicious picnic in tow.
• Settle in to a movie night under the stars at the outdoor cinema.
• Work up an appetite deep-sea fishing, quad biking or at the onsite jungle gym.

THINGS TO DO NEARBY:

• Spend a day peddling around Sainte Marie’s miles of deserted beaches.
• Mooch around Sainte Marie’s only town, Ambodifotatra, to sample delicious local seafood, visit Madagascar’s oldest church and pick up some souvenirs at the market.
• Delve into the island’s fascinating maritime history, visiting the skull and cross bone-adorned graves at the pirate cemetery
• Go diving or snorkelling around the beautiful coral reefs ringing the nearby islands of Île aux Nattes and Ilots aux Sables.
• Between June and October, witness the extraordinary humpback whale migration when whales come to breed in the calm, shallow waters.
• Go birdwatching in the island’s jungly northern interior.