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

Great hospitaliy in Nosy be with Aria and Dany. Authentic and friendly. Excellent meal and cocktail. Cute lodge with amazing ocean view. Perfectly organized excursions from the hotel, Island boat tour,quad, diving. Really a great experience.

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!