Voaara, Madagascar

If you’re longing for a secluded tropical island hideaway where you can kick off your sandals and feel sand on your soles day after day, Voaara is the real deal. It’s the carefully considered creation of Swedish-born hotelier Philippe Kjellgren, who spent long vacations on this Indian Ocean island as a kid, and now, on the back of decades of stays across the world’s finest hotels, has returned with his wife to open their chic eco lodge. It’s the island’s first true luxury stay, its name inspired by two Malagasy words – ‘voarara’ (meaning sacred) and ‘voara’ (meaning nature), a nod to the hotel’s philosophy of barefoot luxury. It’s a truly extraordinary place, and one of the most special in the world to watch the humpback whale migration – you may even be lucky enough to spot the marine mammals breaching off Voaara’s shores.

LOCATION

Over a mile of private beach fringed by tropical forest sounds pretty good, right? Voaara is tucked away on sleepy Sainte Marie’s northwest coast, just a short plane hop from Madagascar’s northeastern shore. Beyond the sun, sea, and sand is an island with a fascinating maritime history – you can even visit a pirate cemetery, where graves are decorated with skulls and crossbones. Nearby villages are the spot to dig into a just-caught seafood feast.

YOUR ROOM

To call it your room barely does it justice. You’ll be sleeping in one of just seven bungalows or – if you’re in a bigger group – a three-bedroom villa, which has a pool and open-air bathtubs.
Each standalone bungalow feels like a calming cocoon thanks to the neutral color palette of cappuccino and cream. Stone floors are layered with jute rugs and four-poster beds draped with floaty linens, while fringed mirrors dot the walls, and driftwood tables (many of which are hand-crafted on site) are paired with rattan chairs. Pitched, palm thatched roofs and floor-to-ceiling doors (we suggest you slide them open and never close them) lead out to your XL veranda. And just beyond that? The tie-dye blues of the Indian Ocean.

WHO IT SUITS

Voaara’s off-the-beaten-track location means there’s always an exciting collection of guests mingling over punchy passionfruit daiquiris at the petite beachside bar. Some are couples – this is a romantic spot where you can keep yourself to yourself, after all – but many are intrepid families with grown-up kids, thanks to the family-friendly bungalows and activities on offer, from deep-sea fishing to wing foiling.

WHY WE LIKE IT

Like it? We love it. This is undoubtedly a sophisticated stay, but at the same time it feels so relaxed and care-free. It’d be easy to spend your time here snoozing beneath a palm or exploring mile after mile of deserted beaches. But really, you should relish the special touches – like a private dinner in the Birds Nest, where you’ll have a 360-degree panoramic view at sunset (and a telescope for stargazing later). You can settle into movie nights beneath the stars at the outdoor cinema (while digging into wood-fired pizza), try your hand at deep-sea fishing, and revel in heavenly massages in open-air cabanas just inches from the rolling waves. The food is sublime (with asado-style grilling using coconut husks instead of wood), the cocktails – meddled with local fruits, herbs, and spices – even more so.

SUSTAINABILITY

A portion of Voaara’s profits and 50% of service fees are donated to initiatives that empower local communities, particularly local schools. Other positive-impact initiatives include replanting trees to help tackle Madagascar’s deforestation crisis, reintroducing endangered wildlife and lemurs, and supporting schools, clinics, and churches. Educational programs also help guests understand Madagascar’s unique ecosystem and the importance of its preservation.