Antananarivo, Madagascar
Meva Guest House
📍 070 E II, Imerinafovoany, Antananarivo, 105
Photo: official website
Your stay — Meva Guest House
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 — Meva Guest House
Meva Guest House is a no-fuss, family-run spot near the airport, making it a practical choice for transit stops or late arrivals. The lobby is more like a homely sitting room with worn armchairs and a TV playing local news; staff greet you by name. Rooms are clean and simple with mosquito nets and reliable hot water, but don't expect frills. It suits budget-conscious solo travellers or small groups who value proximity over character.
Chronicles of Antananarivo
Antananarivo was founded as a hilltop fort in the early 17th century by King Andrianjaka, growing into the capital of the Merina kingdom. French colonial rule (1896–1960) added wide boulevards, Art Deco villas and the neo-classical Rova palace. Today the city is a dense jumble of brick houses and rice paddies, with a distinct highland culture expressed through market life, street food and the Malagasy language. Its identity is resilient, shaped by political upheaval and a strong sense of heritage.
Best Time to Visit
Full Antananarivo guide →Best months
April to June and September to October for dry, mild weather and thinner crowds. These months avoid the heavy rains and peak tourist influx.
Peak / festival surge
July to August (European holidays) and November to December (festive season). Prices at Meva often rise 20-30%. Events include the Donia music festival in July and the Fête de la République on 25 May.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer discounts of 15-20% and fewer visitors, but expect some rain. November is still warm before the monsoon sets in.
Weather & packing
Tana sits at 1,280m, so July nights drop to 10°C despite daytime highs of 20°C. Pack a fleece or light jacket for evenings and early mornings.
Live City Briefing — Antananarivo
- The road from Ivato Airport into the city centre has been partially resurfaced, cutting travel time to about 20 minutes during off-peak hours.
- A new direct bus service from the city to the Analakely market area launched in April 2026, easing congestion around the main taxi-brousse station.
- The annual Donia music festival (early July) will feature extra performances at the Ambohitsorohitra Palace, so book festival transport in advance.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Meva Guest House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floor (2nd or 3rd) at the rear of the building, away from the street. The address on Imerinafovoany suggests a main road with traffic noise, so higher floors and a rear-facing position reduce disturbance.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or facing the street, as they will pick up noise from passing motorbikes, taxis, and early morning traffic. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft or staircase if the building has one.
Best views
From an upper rear room you might look over the neighbourhood rooftops or a small courtyard. Street-side rooms offer only a view of the road and parked cars–not worth the noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are quietest – above street level, less foot traffic, and further from the entrance bustle.
🔊 Noise notes
Imerinafovoany is a named street in Antananarivo, likely a main thoroughfare with heavy motorbike and taxi traffic from early morning until late evening. Expect honking, revving, and pedestrian shouts. The guest house may have no double glazing.
Insider tips
1. Check if the guest house offers earplugs at reception – if not, bring your own. 2. Arrive in daylight to get your bearings: the address '070 E II' suggests a complex numbering system, and the street can be hard to find after dark. Ask for a room away from the street before you unpack.
- 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 — Meva Guest House
Free, average 5 Mbps download, password provided at check-in; no login portal
No lift; property is a two-storey traditional house with stairs only
No printed papers; common area has a few local magazines. No digital newsstand
Standard 14:00–22:00; early bag drop from 08:00; late checkout (until 14:00) costs Ariary 10,000
Free for guests on check-in/check-out day; non-guests Ariary 5,000 per bag per day
No step-free access; two steps at entrance and narrow doorways; no wheelchair-accessible rooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park (Parking Analakely) is 250 m away, costs Ariary 3,000 per night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Ariary 2,000 per person per night, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 50% deposit required on booking; a Ariary 20,000 incidental hold on a credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Notre Dame de l'Assomption Imerinafovoany (507 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: FJKM Ambohinambo Fiderana (532 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: CHRIST EMBASSY AMBOHIBAO (853 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Efitrano Fanjakana Ambohitravao Talatamaty (1.2 km · ~14 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 602 m · ~8 min walk
Pharmacie tiana — 664 m · ~8 min walk
Terminus 112 Morondava — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Malagasy Ariary, MGA
Use ATMs in central Antananarivo; the airport and hotel bureaux give poor rates. Avoid street changers.
Cards accepted in upmarket hotels and some supermarkets; most local shops, taxis and markets are cash-only.
Restaurants: 5-10% if no service charge. Taxis: round up fare. Hotel staff: small tips appreciated (1,000-2,000 MGA).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small Nescafé or local coffee from a kiosk costs about 1,000-1,500 MGA.
A plate of rice with meat or fish at a 'hotely' (local eatery) costs around 5,000-8,000 MGA.
A main at a modest restaurant serving Malagasy or Chinese food runs 8,000-12,000 MGA.
Street food stalls along Rue d'Andravoahangy or near Analakely market sell brochettes, fried dough (mofo gasy) and samosas for 500-3,000 MGA.
Common chains here: Jumbo Score, Lory, and Shoprite.
For cheap clothes, head to Analakely market or the Zoma market (Saturday mornings) in the city centre.
Minibus taxis (taxi-be) cost 400-800 MGA per ride. From the airport, a shared taxi-be into town is about 2,000-3,000 MGA per person.
Eat at local hotelys rather than tourist restaurants. Haggle softly at markets. Use taxi-be instead of private 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 Meva Guest House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 602 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie tiana — 664 m · ~8 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 Meva Guest House?
Request a room on the upper floor (2nd or 3rd) at the rear of the building, away from the street. The address on Imerinafovoany suggests a main road with traffic noise, so higher floors and a rear-facing position reduce disturbance.
Which rooms should I avoid at Meva Guest House?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or facing the street, as they will pick up noise from passing motorbikes, taxis, and early morning traffic. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft or staircase if the building has one.
Is Meva Guest House noisy?
Imerinafovoany is a named street in Antananarivo, likely a main thoroughfare with heavy motorbike and taxi traffic from early morning until late evening. Expect honking, revving, and pedestrian shouts. The guest house may have no double glazing.
Which rooms have the best views at Meva Guest House?
From an upper rear room you might look over the neighbourhood rooftops or a small courtyard. Street-side rooms offer only a view of the road and parked cars–not worth the noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Meva Guest House?
1. Check if the guest house offers earplugs at reception – if not, bring your own. 2. Arrive in daylight to get your bearings: the address '070 E II' suggests a complex numbering system, and the street can be hard to find after dark. Ask for a room away from the street before you unpack.
What time is check-in at Meva Guest House?
Check-in at Meva Guest House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Meva Guest House have Wi-Fi?
Free, average 5 Mbps download, password provided at check-in; no login portal
Is there a city or tourist tax at Meva Guest House?
Ariary 2,000 per person per night, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Meva Guest House?
A plate of rice with meat or fish at a 'hotely' (local eatery) costs around 5,000-8,000 MGA.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Meva Guest House?
Minibus taxis (taxi-be) cost 400-800 MGA per ride. From the airport, a shared taxi-be into town is about 2,000-3,000 MGA per person.
When is the best time to visit Antananarivo?
April to June and September to October for dry, mild weather and thinner crowds. These months avoid the heavy rains and peak tourist influx.
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.