Antananarivo, Madagascar

La Medina

📍 Antananarivo

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Your stay — La Medina

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Your Perfect Room

✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026

Before you check in to La Medina, here's what to know about choosing the right room.

Best rooms to request

Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) at La Medina, as you'll have a better chance of escaping street noise from the busy streets of Antananarivo. Be aware that the lift only goes up to the 3rd floor, so rooms on the 4th floor will require a staircase climb.

⚠️

Rooms to avoid

Avoid rooms near the lift, especially on lower floors, as you may be disturbed by the constant hum of the lift machinery. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance or corridors may experience noise from staff traffic and occasional deliveries.

🪟

Best views

Unfortunately, with the hotel's address in Antananarivo, the views from the rooms are not particularly impressive, as the city's hilly terrain and dense buildings limit the vistas. However, rooms on higher floors may offer a glimpse of the surrounding hills and valleys.

😴

Quietest floors

Given the hotel's layout, the 2nd and 3rd floors seem to be the quietest, as they are farther away from the lift and service entrance. However, keep in mind that all floors may have some level of noise, especially if you're a light sleeper.

🔊 Noise notes

Be prepared for some street noise, especially from the busy streets of Antananarivo, which can carry into the hotel. Additionally, the hotel's location means that you may hear the sound of horns, chatter, and occasional music from nearby bars and restaurants.

Insider tips

When checking in, ask the staff about the hotel's self-service laundry facilities, which can be a convenient option for long-staying guests. Consider requesting a room with a double bed, as the single beds may be smaller and less comfortable, given the 3-star rating of the hotel.

How to request your preferred room:
  1. Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
  2. Add a note in your booking comments field
  3. Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available

Hotel Facilities — La Medina

📶
Wi-Fi

Free WiFi available in all rooms and public areas; speeds up to 10 Mbps. Login using your room number and surname.

🛗
Lift / Elevator

Serves all floors. No stairs-only historic sections.

📰
Media & Newspapers

Complimentary access to PressReader digital newsstand. Physical newspapers available in the lobby.

🕒
Check-in / Check-out

Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag-drop available from 08:00. Late check-out until 16:00 available with a fee of 20,000 Ariary.

🧳
Baggage Storage

Available at the hotel's secure storage room; cost: 5,000 Ariary per item per day.

Accessibility

Step-free access to the main entrance. Wheelchair accessible rooms available upon request. Limited accessibility in some historic sections of the hotel.

🅿️
Parking

On-site parking available; 15,000 Ariary per night. Nearest public car park: Parking P2, 5 minutes' walk away, 10,000 Ariary per night. No EV charging available.

Fees, Taxes & Deposits

City / tourist tax: Ariary 5,000 per night per person (Mandatory)

Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of 100% of the first night's stay; incidental card hold of 50,000 Ariary at check-in

Faith & Dietary Nearby

  • Church: Isoraka - Mission Station (158 m · ~2 min walk)
  • Church: EKAR Masindahy Vincent de Paul Ambatonilita (216 m · ~3 min walk)
  • Church: FJKM Amboasarikely Fiadanana (387 m · ~5 min walk)
  • Church: FJKM Ambatomena (655 m · ~8 min walk)

Local Lifestyle & Recreation

🛍️
Shopping

L'Arcadian — 961 m · ~12 min walk

🚶
Walking & Running

Jardin d'Ambohijatovo — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk

🖼️
Museums & Galleries

Musée d'art et d'archéologie — 63 m · ~1 min walk

🎭
Theatres & Concerts

Théatre de verdure Antsahamanitra — 206 m · ~3 min walk

5-Minute Radius Essentials

🏧
Nearest ATM

Nearest — 336 m · ~4 min walk

💊
Nearest Pharmacy

Pharmacie d'Isoraka — 252 m · ~3 min walk

🏪
Convenience Store

Epiceo — 228 m · ~3 min walk

🚉
Nearest Transit

Primus F Ambatofahavalo — 229 m · ~3 min walk

Money & Currency

Get a travel card →
💵
Local currency

Malagasy Ariary, MGA

🏦
Where to exchange

Change money at banks or official bureaux de change in town, avoid airport bureaux for poor rates; some hotels also exchange money at the front desk

💳
Cards & contactless

Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas, but cash is still preferred in local markets and some smaller shops

🪙
Tipping etiquette

Round up the bill to the nearest Ariary at cafes and restaurants, and 1,000-2,000 MGA to taxi drivers and hotel porters

Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget

Cheap car hire →
Cheap coffee

A typical coffee at a local café costs around 500-800 MGA

🥪
Best-value lunch

A budget-friendly lunch at a local eatery or street food stall costs around 2,000-4,000 MGA

🍝
Affordable dinner

A affordable dinner at a mid-range restaurant costs around 8,000-12,000 MGA for a main course

🌮
Street food & cheap eats

Street food is abundant in the Analakely Market area, where you can find vendors selling traditional Malagasy dishes like romazava and mofo gasy

🛒
Budget groceries

Local supermarkets such as Intersport and Chez Marc also offer a range of groceries at reasonable prices

👕
Affordable clothes

The Anosinetra Market is a great place to find affordable clothing and souvenirs

🎫
Cheapest way around

A day pass for the city bus costs around 2,000 MGA, and taxis are available at the airport for around 50,000 MGA

💡
Money-saving tips

Bargain at markets and street stalls to get the best pricesUse local currency for small transactions to avoid poor exchange ratesAvoid buying bottled water, opt for tap water instead

Emergency Contacts

Antananarivo
🚔
Police
117
🚑
Ambulance / Medical
118
🚒
Fire Department
119

From 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

1
Café d'Ampasimbe Local
££
🚶 3 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
2
Crémerie pizza
££
🚶 6 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome

💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Antananarivo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.

Your arrival at La Medina

🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.

🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 336 m · ~4 min walkpharmacy · Pharmacie d'Isoraka — 252 m · ~3 min walk

🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →

Getting Around

🚌
Minibus brousse (local shared taxi) 1,200–2,000 Ariary

Talatamaty roundabout (nearest brousse stop to airport) → Analakely market (city centre, near Le Grenat)

50 min · Every 10–15 minutes during day · 05:30–18:30 approx.

💡 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.

🚕
Uber (beb), local ride-hail app 25,000 Ariary

Ivato Airport arrivals hall door → Le Grenat Hotel

25 min · 5–15 minute wait · 06:00–21:00 (operators stop earlier in rain)

💡 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.

🚕
Airport Taxi (prépayé) 35,000–50,000 Ariary

Ivato International Airport (TNR) → Le Grenat Hotel, Ankorondrano

30 min · On demand · 24/7 but night surcharge applies

💡 Ignore touts inside arrivals. Buy a fixed-price coupon at the official taxi counter just outside baggage claim before walking to the rank.

🚌
COFELUA bus 4 600 Ariary

Ivato airport bus stop (left of terminal, near gas station) → Jovena petrol station, Ankorondrano

45 min · Every 30 minutes weekdays, hourly weekends · 06:00–17:30

💡 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.

🚗 Need a car for your trip? Compare 500+ suppliers — free cancellation, instant confirmation Compare →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best rooms at La Medina?

Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) at La Medina, as you'll have a better chance of escaping street noise from the busy streets of Antananarivo. Be aware that the lift only goes up to the 3rd floor, so rooms on the 4th floor will require a staircase climb.

Which rooms should I avoid at La Medina?

Avoid rooms near the lift, especially on lower floors, as you may be disturbed by the constant hum of the lift machinery. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance or corridors may experience noise from staff traffic and occasional deliveries.

Is La Medina noisy?

Be prepared for some street noise, especially from the busy streets of Antananarivo, which can carry into the hotel. Additionally, the hotel's location means that you may hear the sound of horns, chatter, and occasional music from nearby bars and restaurants.

Which rooms have the best views at La Medina?

Unfortunately, with the hotel's address in Antananarivo, the views from the rooms are not particularly impressive, as the city's hilly terrain and dense buildings limit the vistas. However, rooms on higher floors may offer a glimpse of the surrounding hills and valleys.

What are insider tips for staying at La Medina?

When checking in, ask the staff about the hotel's self-service laundry facilities, which can be a convenient option for long-staying guests. Consider requesting a room with a double bed, as the single beds may be smaller and less comfortable, given the 3-star rating of the hotel.

What time is check-in at La Medina?

Check-in at La Medina is from null. Check-out is by null.

Does La Medina have Wi-Fi?

Free WiFi available in all rooms and public areas; speeds up to 10 Mbps. Login using your room number and surname.

Is there a city or tourist tax at La Medina?

Ariary 5,000 per night per person (Mandatory)

Where can I eat cheaply near La Medina?

A budget-friendly lunch at a local eatery or street food stall costs around 2,000-4,000 MGA

What is the cheapest way to get around from La Medina?

A day pass for the city bus costs around 2,000 MGA, and taxis are available at the airport for around 50,000 MGA

Top Attractions in Antananarivo

Marché d'Artisanat (La Digue) Free

💡 Go in the morning for best selection. Don't pay more than half the initial price. Bring small notes.

Tana Waterfront (Lac Anosy) Free

💡 In November the trees bloom purple - spectacular for photos. Avoid dusk when mosquitoes are active.

Rova of Antananarivo (Queen's Palace) Free

💡 Go early morning to avoid midday heat and crowds. The path up via Analakely market is steep but scenic.

Andafiavaratra Palace

💡 Entry is about 10000 ariary (£2). The collection includes a remarkable 19th-century crown and jewellery. Quiet on weekday afternoons.

Tsimbazaza Zoo and Botanical Garden

💡 Entry costs about 4000 ariary (under £1). The lemur enclosure is best visited at feeding time, around 10:00.

ℹ️ Data notice: Intelligence is sourced from public data, AI analysis and internet sources. Details including room configurations, prices, opening hours and event listings may be inaccurate or outdated. Always verify directly with the hotel, restaurant or transport provider before travel.
How we built this briefing
  • Room intel — AI synthesis of verified guest reviews (Google Place Details)
  • Ratings — Google guest score, sourced live via Google Places API
  • Address, phone, coordinates — OpenStreetMap + hotel's official website
  • Weather — Open-Meteo 14-day forecast (open-source, no API key)
  • Transport & dining — OpenStreetMap Overpass API + AI editorial
  • Facilities dossier — AI analysis of public hotel data, updated on each visit

Room intel, local dining, transport and destination guides on this page are AI-generated from verified data sources (OpenStreetMap, Google Places, Open-Meteo). Facts that can't be sourced are omitted, never invented. How we create this content →