Your stay — Cassava B&B
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Antananarivo.
The Property — Cassava B&B
Cassava B&B is a modest three-storey guesthouse in the Isoraka district, painted in warm ochre with a small veranda overlooking a quiet, tree-lined street. The lobby feels like a friend's sitting room: a worn leather sofa, a shelf of guidebooks in French and English, and the smell of coffee from the tiny attached café. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, no-frills base within walking distance of the city's main restaurants and embassies, not tourists expecting a resort.
Chronicles of Antananarivo
Antananarivo was founded as a fortified hilltop village by King Andrianjaka around 1610 and grew into the capital of the Merina kingdom. From the 19th century, it developed a distinct architectural layer of brick-and-timber townhouses and stone palaces, influenced by British and French missionaries. The French colonial administration expanded the city in the late 1800s, adding wide boulevards, the train station, and the Rova palace complex on the highest hill. Today the city remains the political and cultural heart of Madagascar, balancing its highland traditions with a youthful, music-driven contemporary scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Antananarivo guide →Best months
April, May, October: dry and cool, with clear skies and daytime temperatures around 20–24°C. Crowds are low.
Peak / festival surge
July–August: the peak winter tourist season, driven by French and European holidaymakers escaping northern heat. The city is full but not oppressive; B&B prices rise about 20–30% above off-peak rates. No major festival in July beyond local church events.
Budget shoulder season
September and November: still dry and pleasant, with lower hotel rates and thinner crowds. Early September may see lingering winter chill.
Weather & packing
Antananarivo sits at 1,280 metres, so nights even in July drop to 8–10°C. Pack layers: a fleece or light jacket, plus a waterproof shell for unexpected drizzle.
Live City Briefing — Antananarivo
- The main Tana–Ivato airport's second terminal opened fully in late 2024, cutting immigration queues; check if your flight arrives there.
- Street works on Rue de Liège (Isoraka) have been ongoing since 2025; expect minor detours but access to Cassava B&B remains normal.
- The city has introduced a new bus rapid-transit line along the RN1 route, which can ease taxi costs if you need to go from the central market to the Analakely area.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cassava B&B, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. These rooms are quieter and often have a small balcony overlooking the garden.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any ground-floor room facing the road. Street noise from taxis and motorbikes is constant, and windows offer little soundproofing.
Best views
Rooms at the rear have a view of the garden and a patch of city skyline. Front-facing rooms look onto the busy street.
Quietest floors
First-floor rooms at the back are the quietest. The ground floor is busier with reception and breakfast area noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Antananarivo is chaotic; taxis honk from 6am. The B&B's street can be loud with moped traffic. Breakfast prep starts around 7am, audible in rooms near the dining area.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room at the back when booking – the garden view is worth the request. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs; thin walls mean neighbours' noise can carry.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Cassava B&B
Free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms and common areas, typical speed 15 Mbps, login code given at check-in
No lift; guest rooms on first and second floors, stairs only
No newspapers; free access to PressReader on a lobby tablet
Standard 14:00-20:00; early bag-drop from 10:00; late check-out fee of Ar 30,000 until 14:00 (subject to availability)
Free secure storage in locked room during your stay or after check-out
No step-free access; entrance has two steps, and guest rooms are upstairs. Not wheelchair-accessible
No on-site parking. Free street parking usually available on Rue Ankadivato; nearest paid car park 'Parking Analakely' at Ar 3,000/night (100 m walk). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Ar 2,000 per person per night, payable cash at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required via bank transfer or credit card; incidental hold of Ar 50,000 at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Malagasy ariary, MGA
Change money at banks or official exchange bureaux in town; avoid the airport and hotel desks for poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and upscale restaurants, but cash is king everywhere else; contactless is rare.
Not expected, but round up fares or leave 5-10% in nicer restaurants; small change for hotel staff is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A local coffee from a street cart or small kiosk costs around 1,000-2,000 ariary.
A set lunch plate with rice and meat or fish at a small eatery (hotely) runs 5,000-8,000 ariary.
A main course at a modest restaurant costs 8,000-12,000 ariary.
Look for food stalls near Analakely market or along busy streets for grilled meats and fried snacks.
Jumbo Score or Shoprite are common budget supermarket chains in the area.
Analakely market is the main spot for affordable second-hand clothing and local textiles.
A shared taxi-brousse ride costs 500-1,000 ariary per short hop; from the airport, take a local bus to the city centre for about 5,000 ariary instead of a taxi.
Eat at hotely for cheap set meals; always haggle at markets; buy bottled water in bulk from supermarkets rather than single bottles.
Emergency Contacts
AntananarivoFrom mobile: dial these numbers directly. Landlines: 020 22 357 69 for police stations, 020 22 357 69 also connects to central dispatch. Consider Gendarmerie Nationale (022 24 69 00) in rural areas. Carry your embassy’s local number too.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Antananarivo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Cassava B&B
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Talatamaty roundabout (nearest brousse stop to airport) → Analakely market (city centre, near Le Grenat)
💡 Not good with luggage. Sit window-side to pay the collector; hand your fare in small bills. Get off at 'Jumbo Score' and walk five minutes east to Ankorondrano.
Ivato Airport arrivals hall door → Le Grenat Hotel
💡 Download 'Beb' (B.e.b) before landing—it's the only ride-hail that works reliably here. Initial quote is in Ariary; confirm the car model because plate numbers are often faded.
Ivato International Airport (TNR) → Le Grenat Hotel, Ankorondrano
💡 Ignore touts inside arrivals. Buy a fixed-price coupon at the official taxi counter just outside baggage claim before walking to the rank.
Ivato airport bus stop (left of terminal, near gas station) → Jovena petrol station, Ankorondrano
💡 Only reliable if you have a local SIM (takes cash only, no change given). Stand at the front to signal the driver. From Jovena it's a 10-minute walk west to Le Grenat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cassava B&B?
Request a room on the first floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. These rooms are quieter and often have a small balcony overlooking the garden.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cassava B&B?
Avoid any ground-floor room facing the road. Street noise from taxis and motorbikes is constant, and windows offer little soundproofing.
Is Cassava B&B noisy?
Antananarivo is chaotic; taxis honk from 6am. The B&B's street can be loud with moped traffic. Breakfast prep starts around 7am, audible in rooms near the dining area.
Which rooms have the best views at Cassava B&B?
Rooms at the rear have a view of the garden and a patch of city skyline. Front-facing rooms look onto the busy street.
What are insider tips for staying at Cassava B&B?
1. Ask for a room at the back when booking – the garden view is worth the request. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs; thin walls mean neighbours' noise can carry.
What time is check-in at Cassava B&B?
Check-in at Cassava B&B is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cassava B&B have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms and common areas, typical speed 15 Mbps, login code given at check-in
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cassava B&B?
Ar 2,000 per person per night, payable cash at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Cassava B&B?
A set lunch plate with rice and meat or fish at a small eatery (hotely) runs 5,000-8,000 ariary.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cassava B&B?
A shared taxi-brousse ride costs 500-1,000 ariary per short hop; from the airport, take a local bus to the city centre for about 5,000 ariary instead of a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Antananarivo?
April, May, October: dry and cool, with clear skies and daytime temperatures around 20–24°C. Crowds are low.
Top Attractions in Antananarivo
💡 Go in the morning for best selection. Don't pay more than half the initial price. Bring small notes.
💡 In November the trees bloom purple - spectacular for photos. Avoid dusk when mosquitoes are active.
💡 Go early morning to avoid midday heat and crowds. The path up via Analakely market is steep but scenic.
💡 Entry is about 10000 ariary (£2). The collection includes a remarkable 19th-century crown and jewellery. Quiet on weekday afternoons.
💡 Entry costs about 4000 ariary (under £1). The lemur enclosure is best visited at feeding time, around 10:00.