Princess Bora Lodge & Spa, Madagascar: hotel review Service 7/10 The hotel is Swiss-owned, and characteristically efficient, but most of the staff are from Sainte-Marie, and correspondingly friendly and laid-back. You may have to wait a while between drinks, but just get in the groove. Rooms 6/10 The 20 villas, set amid tropical gardens, are now a decade old and scheduled to receive an upgrade. The five "executive beach villas" have a double shower, sunken bath, air conditioning and a terrace. The ordinary villas have shutters and ceiling fans, and really need that revamp - then again, you'll be spending most of your time outside. Food and drink 8/10 A classy mixture of French and Malagasy: zebu (oxen) medallions with foie gras, grilled carangue fish stuffed with anchovies, plenty of delicious, freshly caught fish and shellfish. You choose your wine in a temperature-controlled cellar: mainly French and South African, from about £15 a bottle. Value for money 7/10 Reasonable considering rates are based on half board and the food is so good. Bicycles are free, as are snorkels, kayaks, the Jacuzzi and sauna. Double rooms, on half-board basis, range from €145 (£121) a night in low season in a standard villa to €375 (£313) a night in high season in an "executive beach villa" . Whale-watching costs €50 (£41) per adult. Access for guests with disabilities Guest accommodation and public rooms are on ground level, linked by boardwalks. The details Princess Bora Lodge and Spa (00261 20 570 4003; princessebora.com), Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar.