Arriving at Miavana starts with a helicopter trip across the sea. It is on a private island, Nosy Ankao, and offers a unique place to enjoy the breathtaking ocean views and soak up the Indian Ocean sunshine. You will stay in one of 14 sea-facing villas and wistfully while away your time in this tropical paradise by swimming around the untouched coral reefs. There’s also the opportunity to learn about the unique wildlife and biodiversity of Madagascar on a walking tour with a local expert.
Miavana was one of the most hotly anticipated hotel openings in the world in 2017 and it is easy to see why the hotel critics went wild. This self proclaimed island sanctuary is built around a magnificent central piazza and feels like a small, particularly photogenic village.
Each of the villas is decorated with a marine colour scheme: the turquoise of the water and the white of the surf breaking on the sand feature prominently in the design. Natural materials have been widely used, but the spaces still feel contemporary rather than rustic.