Voaara Madagascar

Review: Voaara Madagascar in Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar

"Opened in 2024 on the remote northern tip of Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar, this 100-acre barefoot-luxury hideaway feels like a Robinson Crusoe–style retreat with just seven bungalows and a three-bedroom villa (the villa includes a private pool). Rooms emphasize natural materials—thatch roofs, driftwood beams and furniture, raffia lighting, open-air bathrooms with rainfall showers and some shaded soaking tubs—while modern touches include Nespresso machines, Marshall speakers, large prints by Pierrot Men and Dyson hair dryers. Dining is a highlight: a signature restaurant under a soaring thatched roof helmed by Aleixandre Sarrion (with Malagasy chef Jean Notia Vincent executing the menus), a reservations-only beachside grill where seafood is cooked over coconut husks (don’t skip the lobster), sushi dinners in a Bird’s Nest tower, wood‑oven pizzas at an outdoor cinema, and Franco’s beach bar where the resident barman’s piña colada—made with fresh pineapple juice, coconut milk and local rum—is legendary; private, toes-in-the-sand meals and whimsical setups (like sushi in a bird’s nest) are regularly staged. The house reef and glassy turquoise waters are ideal for snorkeling and paddleboarding (you can see coral from a standup board), and resident specialists run activities ranging from snorkeling and spearfishing with the on-site marine biologist to surf and foil lessons with the resident pro, plus quad‑bike tours, lemur-spotting trips to nearby Kong Island, and seasonal whale watching; one memorable guest experience turned a spearfished mackerel into sashimi for lunch. The modest spa currently offers Swedish or relaxing massages using locally made Anoka Botanic oils in open-front thatched cabins, with plans for a larger spa complex and “spa safari” treatments; family-friendly programming includes kayak and paddleboard outings, beach volleyball, pizza-and-movie nights, and a kids club slated for completion by 2025. Sustainability and community were considered in construction and operations: the property runs on solar power, uses locally sourced materials (including driftwood), maintains a kitchen garden and nursery for restaurant produce, and frequently sources fish directly from local fishermen. Practical notes: access requires a one-hour flight from Antananarivo followed by about 90 minutes by car or an hour by boat (the property also runs limited charters), on-site terrain is soft sand and paths are not ADA-compliant, and the founder—Philippe Kjellgren, cofounder of the Kiwi Collection—designed the place around curated touches from his travels to create an intentionally whimsical, barefoot experience." - Jen Murphy Jen Murphy Jen Murphy is an avid adventurer who splits her time between Colorado and Maui. She travels the globe pursuing passions that include surfing, snowboarding, cycling, and trail running and tries to ensure they overlap with great food and wine experiences. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines