OLYMPE DE BEMARAHA

Brione sopra Minusio

We stayed two nights in Olympe Du Bemaraha hotel in July. The hotel is mid-range in Madagascar standard, we arrived late and learned we got the last room in the hotel, but the toilet does not work. We had to  change to another room and therefore went for dinner really late. I felt already bad 3h later around midnight and had a really stomach problem the entire night, as I was the only one who ate the duck at the dinner, we concluded it must be the duck. Next day, I did not eat but only drank water or other beverages. My husband was the next one got sick from the dinner, this time, most likely the zebu. On the way leaving the hotel, we met other families, whose 3 kids were also sick from the dinner. We asked our guide, it was most likely due to COVID, that many experienced people working there left, and we can see that current crew was not experienced and are facing challenges when the hotel is full.

After reading reviews of this hotel, I was very nervous booking it. But, due to the covid situation, it was the only hotel I could find which is open (turns out there was one other, but most are closed for the season). I booked via direct email with the hotel. I took a leap of faith- and was pleasantly surprised.Upon arrival, they had the rooms ready for us, along with some juice, which was really sweet. It's currently very empty- we were one of two or three groups staying there during our three-night stay. We received rooms towards the top of the hill, and all three were together. We had reserved a family room, which, from pictures, was a double bed and a bunk bed in a slightly separate area. However, it turned out to be 4 twin beds crammed together. Nevertheless, we spent most of the time at the lodge so it didn't really matter. The bungalows are sweet little cabins with porches with cozy chairs outside. There were mosquito nets on all beds and the bathroom was a good size. Very quaint and a cool vibe.They don't have electricity during the day, and there were occasionally power outages in the early mornings. Bring a flashlight in case and charge up at night. Water varied between cold and hot- it's run by solar, so if you can shower around 4 pm, you'll be golden. All that said, for their rural location, it was very comfortable.The food was good and the menu changed every day. They always had a vegetarian option. However, the food was very expensive for Malagasy pricing. 35000 Ar for a packed lunch, with dinner around 30000 Ar & breakfast at 25000 Ar. But, the rooms are a reasonable price.I don't know if the manager who so many people mentioned having negative experiences with is gone for the year due to covid, gone for good, or we just never met him. We only interacted with Malagasy staff, but their English was very good and they were incredibly sweet and helpful. Wifi in the lodge is pretty good- though it did cut here and there. Pool was fun and clean-though very cold haha.Overall, we were very happy with our stay and felt very safe and well taken care of. We loved the rustic charm.

Bengaluru

One of the few mid range hotels near the Tsingy - the hotel did not disappoint. But we have to remember that the overall standards in Madagascar are lower. It is obviously difficult to maintain hotels in such remote locations - keep your expectations low and you will be happy. The location and views (from the restaurant) are nice. The food was good. The pool was quite pleasant. Service was good. Rooms were as decent as can be expected - of course, it is hot and the dependence on the fan can be quite high!

Davis

This B&Bs has bungalow style compound with many full human size guarding statues. Our room #25 is a small two beds room. There was only one luggage bench and no chairs in the room. However, there were chairs outside on the porch. The safe didn't work. Both standing fan and wall-mounted fan only worked when the sola energy started, there was constant shortage of electricity. Bathroom is roomy and very simple, there was no hot water and drainage was very slow.Reception and restaurant are at different location. The lighting of hotel compound was very dim and there was no obvious sign for room indication which make it hard in the night to go back to room after dinner, because they all look the same. Wifi was available at reception and restaurant only, but the signal was weak.

Caloundra

Superficially the place looks great. The setting is nice and the facilities in the common areas are good. Unfortunately, the rooms are a bit of a disappointment. Very dark due to low power lights but at least there were lights for a while. Then the power goes off and you are stuck using torches until they crank up the generator the next morning. The only reason they get away with such poor customer service is the proximity to Tsingy National Park, a popular destination to hike the strange rock formations. My other major beef was with the bathroom. After a long drive on a very dusty road, do I really have to put up with a dribble of cold water in the shower? What can you do? If you want to go to Tsingy then that is one of the few options for accommodation. The place is run by the same people as Relais du Kirindy, and the set up is similar. The pros and cons are similar, as are the comments in my separate review.

Stevenage

We stayed here for three nights and were very impressed with the bungalow. It was big enough, the bed was comfy and there was plenty of hot water. You go down to the restaurant for WiFi but it's quite a decent connection unless the restaurant is full and then it can't cope with demand. The pool is also lovely and kept very clean. Our only complaint was that the food was fine one night and then really not good another. Breakfast was fine, but don't try the pain au chocolat!!! If the restaurant was better I'd be giving this place a rave review.

Mumbai

This hotel is one of the unforgettable hotels of my Madagascar trip. I felt like I'm staying in nature with the modern technology. This hotel is so green, huge and clean. The rooms are comfortable and with all the necessary equipments and gadgets. The restaurant in the hotel is fabulous, the food is incredible. It has a large swimming pool and the sunset from there hotel is breadth taking. The staff is so polite and is absorbed any hour of the day. I would highly recommend this hotel anycome coming to Bekopaka, Morondova, Madagascar.

Houston

There are several resort/hotels in the area. This one is probably the best option. The rooms are all individual units, scattered in a pretty large resort. Our unit was nice and clean, with mosquito net. It was a hot day when we got there. There was an electrical fan but not working. We asked the front desk. A few minutes later, they delivered a working fan. That was a life saver for our three night stay there. The restaurant has a very nice view over open plain. Food was good. Service was slow but we had a big group.

Taipei

The hotel is not far from the 2nd river crossing point after we drove nearly 7 hours from Morondava. Hotel compound is nice and quiet, and lobby and public area is spacious and comfortable. Rooms are clean and okay, despite electricity control and only limited light. Clean toilet and bathroom, but no hot water after sunset (as hot water is provided by solar penal on room roof top). Public area is very nice, and meals are great too. We saw beautiful sunsets in two consecutive days, and nice view of early morning fog in mountain area.

Cambridge

A great place to stay if visiting Tsingy. Bungalows with veranda. Rooms really nice, well equipped, clean with mosquito net. Lovely views over the valley and close to the nearby village. Take a walk and visit. Food fine and like most of Madagascar wifi a little iffy.

Hong Kong

We spent two nights here. We were placed in two bungalows as we have four people in total. The room is clean but quite dark in the brown wooden context. There was also limitation of electricity supply: you may find electric charging available only after 5pm. The bed was all right. However, the bathroom was not very up to standard. The shower holder was loosened and partially broken. The shower was quite weak, though we accepted well as this is in the remote part of Africa.The restaurant was average. That's why in the second night we went to another one for dinner. The service was rather slow and inattentive.

Exeter

We arrived here after two ferry crossings in the scorching Sun and a long drive on a unpaved road.We were greeted warmly and the staff took care of us.The rooms were big with a slightly unusual arrangement where you shared a living room with your neighbour. The bathrooms were good.My only complaint is that the low-level lighting in the garden and pathways dazzled me but then I suppose it was to do with my eye sight!The food was great.

Saffron Walden

We arrived here after a long drive from Morondava, the roads are very difficult, it takes two ferry crossings to reach this destination. The road to the hotel is quite simply the worst I have seen but once you arrive the hotel is very good, the rooms spacious clean and secluded, the food was delicious, the staff helpful and attentive. The views are beautiful. Obviously the attraction is Tsing,y Grande and Petite but the hotel really is in a great spot. Special mention goes to our very charming and helpful waiter Jermain. He was a a delight. Well done and keep up the good work.

Phoenix

Lovely property with a variety of old and new "rooms" - really more like free-standing cabins/bungalows. We stayed in one of the newer cabins built below the lodge/dining room. Very nice, large bedroom with large bath. Plenty of hot water. Nice front porch from which to watch the sunset.However, the afternoon sun raised the temperature of the room to the point of uncomfortable, and the electricity doesn't run during the afternoon, so the a/c (or even the fans) don't work. We ended up going to the lodge instead of enjoying our room (and view). Unfortunately the pool was out of order for the entire 4 days were were here.The other problem with the new cabins (#28-31) is that the path up to the lodge is on loose, large round stones. Very difficult to walk on when they were dry, but nearly impossible after it rained (or at night).The new manager had just arrived (early May) but seemed to be trying really hard to correct any prior problems. We had nothing but positive, friendly interactions with the staff.The gift shop here has high-quality t-shirts, etc. They take only cash!Food was consistently good - breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinner. Full bar; cold beer; wine. Dining is al fresco, so take a sweater for cool evenings, and wear your mosquito repellent.

Due to the long rain season and the difficult track to Bekopaka, we were only a bunch of people at Olympe hotel in April 2017 and it was the birthday of one tourist. The personnel from the restaurant celebrated the event and then invited us to dance with them in the restaurant. A rare and great moment that we all appreciated a lot! Much fun and laugh together. Large rooms, good food, nice panorama, friendly people: the hotel offers a good taste of Madagascar and Malagasy people.

Zagreb

The rooms are beautiful with amazing view on Tsingy. Bathrooms are really nice, they have hot water. Staff is friendly and the food is great. We really enyojed staying here. I would recommend to everyone.

New York City

We stayed here for 2 nights. The grounds were nice with a pool and spa. Restaurant was big and well maintained. Food was good, wifi was in the reception area. Rooms were nice and rustic. Electricity is from a generator but at multiple times in the day so you didn't feel it all. Service was good. I would recommend to stay here if you are going to the Tsingy.