Extraordinary Africa>Madagascar>Southern Madagascar>Le Jardin du Roy
We’ve loved Jardin du Roy for a long time. Blending almost effortlessly into its surroundings, it’s a tranquil oasis set in the shadow of Isalo’s rocky landscape.
What’s Le Jardin du Roy really like?
Arriving at Jardin du Roy, there’s an almost chalet-like feel with buildings made of stone and wood: log fires designed to warm against the winter chill and thick walls to keep out the extremes of summer heat. The 40 or so rooms are spread amongst low rise buildings surrounding the lovely lawns and pool- all tucked amongst the rocks, and décor firmly embraces the natural environment with flashes of pink reflecting the bougainvillea plants outside. All rooms are of the same standard, with lovely wooden floors and high ceilings, though there are a handful of family rooms with a couple of extra beds upstairs for the over 5s. Up in the main area (don’t be surprised, there are a lot of steps) there are rather delicious meals and a bar with a cosy fire.
We won’t pretend perfection here- service and wifi are not what you might expect in Paris or Singapore. Although now we’ve said that, the service might be closer to what we’ve occasionally encountered in Paris… Either way, we think this is a fantastic 4* (wilderness equivalent) option for Isalo and are big fans.
What can I do at Le Relais de La Reine?
As well as the amazing hikes in Isalo, the lodge has a riding stables, you can take a tour of the gardens, and they also have a climbing trail (bookable locally). On the slightly less active front, Jardin du Roy also has a lovely spa- after a strenuous hike a massage is pretty delightful! If you happen to be here at the end of the day, sundowners in the rocks is not to be missed.
Want to know more? We’ve been here, so just
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