La Riziere

My allocated room was a good size but unfortunately had not been serviced so I was moved to a second story attic twin room which was OK for one but would have been small for 2. The floor was very squeaky and the lighting poor. The en suite was good with excellent bath sheets. The restaurant was excellent with plenty of attentive staff.

Excellent place to have great food (especially deserts!) at good price, and with wonderful view. Bonus: you help students practicing their hospitality skills !

This is a wonderful place, just be aware that IT IS A SCHOOL. This means, that the people 'working' here are students, trying to learn hospitality the result is that not everything is perfect and you need to have patience. If you come here and expect a luxurious dinner you'd be a little mistaken, it is wonderful but be understanding. Additionally, it is very close to the amazing old town. And it has an amazing view of the city.

La Rizière in Fianarantsoa offers a unique blend of hospitality and social impact. As part of a hotel school, it provides guests with comfortable accommodations while supporting the training of young Malagasy students in the hospitality industry. The hotel features ten well-appointed rooms, some with stunning views over the rice paddies and the city below. Guests have praised the peaceful atmosphere, clean rooms, and strong Wi-Fi. The restaurant, Vary Mena, serves a refined menu that combines traditional Malagasy flavors with modern culinary trends, all prepared and served by students under professional supervision. Staying at La Rizière not only provides a restful experience but also contributes to the professional development of local youth. It's an excellent choice for travelers seeking meaningful and authentic accommodations in Madagascar.

I ended up staying on recommendation from Hotel Ambalakely, and I'm so grateful. It's beautifully located on the quiet hill overlooking Fianarantsoa, away from the busy city center. I got a "comfort" room with a view of of Fianarantsoa, and an adjacent balcony. The comfort room is huge & well furnished. The bed is one of the most comfortable I've slept in Madagascar. Separate toilet & shower rooms. Good water pressure & plenty of hot water. It feels like a 5 star hotel, but it's a hospitality training school! All the wait staff in the beautiful restaurants are students - they are so cute & polite. The food was good too - also cooked by students. And amazingly, strong WiFi in my room! I wish I had time to stay more than I night, and take a cooking class with the students. Highly recommend!

We loved the concept of this hotel which is to train young Malagasy to work in the hospitality industry, equipping them with the skills they need to earn their own living.|It was fascinating to watch the students being trained in the restaurant to do everything correctly, as though they were in a top restaurant anywhere in the world. Their every move was watched by the lovely lady who trains them. Some were working behind the bar and being trained to mix a variety of popular cocktails, others were training as waiting staff and behind the scenes in the kitchen yet more were being trained as chefs. |The food was excellent and we liked the fact that the menu (although limited) changed once per week. Before the menu is offered to the guests the students have a briefing when they taste all the new dishes so that they can describe them to the guests if asked. |Obviously the students we saw most of, were the waiting staff who were all very keen to please, if rather nervous. The service was a little slow but we didn't mind that at all, in fact we rather enjoyed it; it was all part of the experience. |On the down side, the hotel room was a slight disappointment. Our bed was a double; not a king or queen size.There was no mosquito netting; the mosquitoes had a feast! The toilet was separate and round the corner from the bathroom, so inconvenient for washing hands. The wardrobe was just a wooden structure with a hanging rail; no front or doors. Finally, the room was in serious need of a coat of paint to brighten it up. |Having said all of this, if you think of this place not as a hotel but as a restaurant with rooms, you will enjoy it.

Located just outside the old town centre, which is the nicest in all of Madagascar, it has a nice garden to enjoy the views. The rooms are large and very comfortable. The internet is fast and works in the rooms. Breakfast is like dinner, served in a veranda. Breakfast was fairly standard, but the croissant was excellent. Dinner was tasty, the service by students could be a bit better, but then they are students and there was a supervisor correcting them.

I spent 5 nights at La Riziere for a work trip in May 2022 and would recommend both the hotel and restaurant. The staff were welcoming, friendly, and accommodating. The hotel grounds are quiet and peaceful, with landscaped gardens and views overlooking the rice paddies and city below. My room on the second floor was clean, comfortable, and well appointed. Wifi worked great without interruptions. Given the low occupancy due to the pandemic, the restaurant was open only for breakfast and dinner, and the menu options were a bit limited. But even amidst this context, each night there were at least a couple options for a tasty 3 course meal prepared by the talented Chef Julien and his students. I was also impressed by the servers, who are enrolled in the Riziere’s hospitality school.