Your stay — L'Astauria
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The Property — L'Astauria
L’Astauria is a no-frills three-star in the central business district, with a small lobby dominated by a reception desk and a worn staircase. The vibe is functional and dated — think laminate floors, a lone potted plant, and the quiet hum of office workers passing through. It suits budget-conscious travellers who prioritise location over character: it’s a base, not a destination.
Chronicles of Antananarivo
Antananarivo was founded as a hilltop fort in the early 17th century by King Andrianjaka. It became the capital of the Merina kingdom and later of French Madagascar in 1896, and the colonial era left a dense grid of French-style buildings in the lower town. The city’s contemporary identity is a blend of highland rice terraces, crumbling colonial villas, and a bustling informal economy centred on the Analakely market. It remains the political and cultural heart of the island, though traffic and infrastructure strain under rapid urban growth.
Best Time to Visit
Full Antananarivo guide →Best months
April, May and September: dry, mild days (20–25°C), clear skies, and lower tourist numbers after the main European holidays.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the peak winter months: dry but cool (10–20°C), driven by European school holidays and the Donia music festival in July. Hotel prices rise 20–30%, and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
October and November offer good discounts (often 15–25% off peak rates), drier before the rainy season starts in December, and still warm enough for exploring.
Weather & packing
Antananarivo has a subtropical highland climate: daytime warmth (20–25°C) gives way to cool evenings (8–12°C). Pack layers — a fleece or light jacket is essential for mornings and evenings, even in July.
Live City Briefing — Antananarivo
- The RN1 towards the highlands has major resurfacing works through July; expect 20–30 minute delays heading west from Tana.
- A new direct bus service from Ivato Airport to Analakely (Route 4A) started in March 2026, costing 1,500 Ariary — cheaper than taxis.
- Cyclone season is over, but the city’s drainage system still struggles after heavy lows; pack a small umbrella for unpredictable afternoon showers.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to L'Astauria, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd floor or higher, facing the interior courtyard. These rooms are above the street noise and away from the lift mechanism, offering the quietest sleep in a busy city centre.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor and those facing the main street (Route des Hydrocarbures). The ground level suffers from street noise and foot traffic; the 1st floor can pick up early-morning restaurant and check-in sounds.
Best views
The best view is from rooms facing the hotel's rear courtyard, overlooking the neighbourhood rooftops and the distant hills of Antananarivo. Street-facing rooms look onto a busy two-lane road with little charm.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4 are the quietest. The 4th floor sits under the roof, but insulation in a 3-star property is adequate if the building has thick walls; the lack of a lift shaft above helps.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on Route des Hydrocarbures, a main artery in Antananarivo. Motorbike and taxi-horn noise starts around 6:30 am and continues until late evening. The bar on the ground floor can be audible in rooms directly above it until 11 pm.
Insider tips
1. If you arrive by car, ask reception to save you a spot in the small gated courtyard — the roadside parking fills quickly and is less safe. 2. The lift is small and slow; for a quicker exit, take the stairs (which are well-lit) from the 2nd floor down.
- 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 — L'Astauria
Free for all guests. Speed around 10 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up. Login with room number and surname; no time limit.
One lift serves all three floors. No stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers. The lobby has a TV tuned to local news channels.
Check-in from 14:00 (early bag drop available from 10:00). Late check-out until 12:00 free; after 12:00 you pay half the nightly rate.
Free for guests checking in/out on the same day. The luggage room is locked and staffed 06:00–22:00.
Step-free access from street to lobby via a ramp (max gradient 1:12). The lift is wide enough for a standard wheelchair. No adapted rooms or grab rails in bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 90m away at Parking Analakely, 10,000 MGA per night (open-air, unattended). No EV charging on site or nearby.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 100% of the first night charged at booking; a 50,000 MGA incidental hold on your card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: EKAR Notre Dame du Rosaire (397 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: FJKM Antanimena Atsinanana (615 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Ekar Masindahy François-Xavier Antanimena (684 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: FJKM Ankazomanga Fiorenana (706 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Conquête Antanimena — 423 m · ~5 min walk
Kianja Maitsoririnina CUA — 863 m · ~11 min walk
Société Tsara Anjara — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Teatra Monisipaly — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 502 m · ~6 min walk
Cofarma — 313 m · ~4 min walk
Pharmacie d'Ankazomanga — 869 m · ~11 min walk
Bâtiment Madarail — 193 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Malagasy Ariary, MGA
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid airport bureaux and hotel desks—their rates are poor.
Cards work in upscale hotels, large supermarkets, and some restaurants; cash is king for street vendors, taxis, and small shops.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 5–10% in sit-down restaurants, and tip hotel staff 2000–5000 Ar for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee (kafe) at a roadside stall or market kiosk for around 500–1,000 Ar.
A plate of rice with laoka (stew) at a hotely (small local eatery) for 3,000–5,000 Ar.
Grilled meat or brochettes with rice at a simple terrace restaurant for 6,000–10,000 Ar.
Analakely market area and around the main taxi-brousse stations have stalls selling samosas, mofo gasy (fried dough), and brochettes.
Supermarkets like Shoprite, Jumbo Score, and Leader Price are common in central Antananarivo.
Analakely market and the streets around Avenue de l'Indépendance have stalls with cheap second-hand clothing and local textiles.
Minibus taxi-be (shared route taxi) for 400–600 Ar per ride; from the airport take the public bus 2C to town for about 2,000 Ar, not the fixed-price taxis.
Always negotiate prices at markets; buy street food and eat at hotelys rather than tourist restaurants; use shared taxi-be for short distances instead of taxis.
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 L'Astauria
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 502 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Cofarma — 313 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 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 L'Astauria?
Request a room on the 3rd floor or higher, facing the interior courtyard. These rooms are above the street noise and away from the lift mechanism, offering the quietest sleep in a busy city centre.
Which rooms should I avoid at L'Astauria?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor and those facing the main street (Route des Hydrocarbures). The ground level suffers from street noise and foot traffic; the 1st floor can pick up early-morning restaurant and check-in sounds.
Is L'Astauria noisy?
The hotel sits on Route des Hydrocarbures, a main artery in Antananarivo. Motorbike and taxi-horn noise starts around 6:30 am and continues until late evening. The bar on the ground floor can be audible in rooms directly above it until 11 pm.
Which rooms have the best views at L'Astauria?
The best view is from rooms facing the hotel's rear courtyard, overlooking the neighbourhood rooftops and the distant hills of Antananarivo. Street-facing rooms look onto a busy two-lane road with little charm.
What are insider tips for staying at L'Astauria?
1. If you arrive by car, ask reception to save you a spot in the small gated courtyard — the roadside parking fills quickly and is less safe. 2. The lift is small and slow; for a quicker exit, take the stairs (which are well-lit) from the 2nd floor down.
What time is check-in at L'Astauria?
Check-in at L'Astauria is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does L'Astauria have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. Speed around 10 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up. Login with room number and surname; no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at L'Astauria?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near L'Astauria?
A plate of rice with laoka (stew) at a hotely (small local eatery) for 3,000–5,000 Ar.
What is the cheapest way to get around from L'Astauria?
Minibus taxi-be (shared route taxi) for 400–600 Ar per ride; from the airport take the public bus 2C to town for about 2,000 Ar, not the fixed-price taxis.
When is the best time to visit Antananarivo?
April, May and September: dry, mild days (20–25°C), clear skies, and lower tourist numbers after the main European holidays.
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.