Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa

The Charm Villas at Princesse Bora Lodge offer guests rustic comfort and unfettered access to the stunning surrounding gardens. The Villas are individually appointed with thatched roofs and stunning hardwood detailing which contrast the roof and the white walls. The hardwood double door opens out to access the private furnished veranda at the front. Inside, the hardwood flooring and furniture give depth to the airy space and colour is introduced in a warm palette through the soft furnishings.

The Charms Villas have a separate ensuite bathroom, with a hardwood sink unit, porthole style mirror and separate shower room and WC.

The Villas provide either a double or a twin bed and can accommodate up to 2 adults.

The Luxury Villas are octagonal wooden structures and are ideal for families; offering a double bed and a mezzanine level with two suspended beds which are perfect for children. The villa is furnished with charming hand-carved furniture, and the white soft furnishing offsets the dark wood flooring and walls which serves to brighten the space. The doors open out onto a spacious veranda which offers views over the stunning gardens; they are furnished with hammocks and a hand-finished wooden table and chairs.

The Luxury Villas have a spacious ensuite with a double sink vanity unit with porthole style mirrors, an inbuilt shower and a separate WC.

The Executive Beach Villas offer guests a paradisiacal slice of luxury; each villa has a spacious private terrace and garden which open out onto the pristine white sand beach. The terraces are furnished for guests to enjoy the stunning sunsets over the Indian Ocean.

Inside, the villas are simply decorated; an opulent take on beach-style living with the white and crimson soft furnishings adding modish contrast to the natural wood hues used throughout. The open plan villa has a central stone sunken bathtub and rock partition feature walls. The villa boasts a separate shower room and WC. The space is complete with a king-size bed which offers stunning views over the lagoon and a single bed, ideal for a child.

The Beach Grill Restaurant at Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa offers guests a culinary experience rooted in Malagasy-Creole fusion. With produce provided by the lodge’s own organic kitchen garden and local farmers, the dishes are varied and always sustainably sourced. Seafood is always the catch of the day and the ever-changing menu reflects seasonal ingredients.

Breakfast is served buffet-style, while lunch and dinner menus are offered a la carte. The restaurant has both sheltered and outdoor dining areas.

Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa boasts three on-site bars which offer a variety of cocktails made from rum produced by the lodge’s own distillery and draught beers.

Île Sainte-Marie is a migration destination for humpback whales between July and September; when they leave Antarctica for the warm waters of Madagascar to breed and calve.

Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa is partnered with CETAmada, a non-profit organisation that aims to protect marine life in Madagascar. Guests are welcome to join the researchers aboard the boats and aid in data collection and photography/videography during the day and view the footage captured in the evening.

The Cimetière des Pirates is a fascinating spot from which to experience some of the island’s history. The cemetery overlooks Bai de Forbans, just south of Ambodifotatra. There are missionaries and marine officers buried here, but there is also a visible skull and crossbones on the grave of an English privateer. From the cemetery, guests can view the crumbling piers that pirates used to moor and repair their ships in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Jungle Spa is built in an impluvium roundhouse which collects rainwater used for some of the treatments. The spa offers a variety of treatments including massages and wraps for rejuvenation; all the products used in the treatments are acquired from local artisans and sustainably produced.

The Aranjay Community Centre is a partnership between the Malagasy organisation CetaMada and the Swiss organisation Solferino, whose aims are to better the lives of the local community through education, donations and community engagement.

The Centre provides training courses in agriculture, crafts and beekeeping, as well as educational sessions on health and nutrition to the local community through sessions at the centre and in local schools.

Princesse Bora Lodge holds events on its grounds throughout the year that help offer the local community alternatives to fishing in order to limit the increasing pressure on marine habitats.

CetaMada is a Malagasy organisation that promotes the protection and conservation of marine life and habitats in Madagascar. Every year, during the humpback whale migration, Princesse Bora Lodge partners with CetaMada and hosts conferences and expeditions supervised by a specialist.