If Robinson Crusoe wanted a romantic island retreat with every luxury, he would have chosen Tsarabanjina…
The island of Madagascar is considered more of an adventure location than a luxury holiday destination. But there is a best-kept secret nearby – an enchanting little island called Tsarabanjina. Located in the Mitsio Archipelago northwest of the main island, Tsarabanjina is about a 90-minute journey by speedboat or a brief helicopter ride.
The entire island is home to a six star luxury resort created by Constance Hotels. Here, on pristine white sand dotted with rocks and palm trees one finds 25 Malagasy-style palm-thatched villas set on two beaches, each just steps from the sea. Each villa is a castaway home with a difference –21st Century amenities include air-conditioning, en suite bathroom with shower, a private fully furnished terrace, mini bar and kimonos. Luxury is on tap, but don’t expect TV, telephone or other mod cons. This is a paradise island. You don’t even need to wear shoes…
Wake up in the morning and lift your head to the view of an azure sea and a welcoming set of loungers underneath a beach umbrella. Your footprints to breakfast (the restaurant is on its own private beach) are the only ones on the sand. A superb spread of food awaits at this pretty bungalow on the beach with spectacular ocean views. Food is all freshly prepared, buffet style, and the choice varies daily. You can smell the ocean on the breeze as you savor French-style omelets, fresh fruit, aromatic coffee and freshly baked croissants.
At Tsarabanjina, you are literally in the middle of nowhere and yet there is so much to do. The resort offers a wealth of watersports… enjoy waterskiing, take a fishing expedition or go snorkeling right off the beach. Play Petanque in the sand, enjoy a game of beach volleyball, or explore the island on a guided walk. Pamper yourself in a private cabin on the beach with massage and reflexology, or get fit with aqua-gym. Of course, you can always just soak up the sun on your personal lounger and wait for lunch, tea and dinner.
Fish is freshly caught for meals, and the rest of the food is brought in by boat or helicopter from Madagascar. The chefs prepare everything from scratch, and bread, cakes and pastries are baked fresh every day. You’ll be forgiven if you forget you’re in the middle of the ocean here, because the bounty is a delight, a gourmet treat at every meal. Buffet lunches give way to more formal three-course dinners with a definite French flair, but the Malagasy magic is there, too. The resort also offers romantic seafood dinners for couples on the beach.
There is nowhere more romantic, more beautiful than Tsarabanjina. The luxury of knowing you are far from the madding crowd, the luxury of walking on sand that is bare of footprints and the luxury of looking out and seeing nothing but clear blue sea. Yes, heaven can wait.
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