Your stay — Résidence Imerina
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The Property — Résidence Imerina
Résidence Imerina sits in the quiet, hilly suburb of Isoraka, a short walk from the city centre. The lobby feels like a cosy colonial parlour: dark wood, woven rattan chairs, and a resident parrot that sometimes greets you. It’s a solid 3-star choice for independent travellers who want home-baked bread at breakfast and a real sense of neighbourhood life, not a sterile business hotel.
Chronicles of Antananarivo
Antananarivo was founded as a hilltop fort by King Andrianjaka around 1610, then grew into the capital of the Merina kingdom. French colonial rule in the late 19th century left a legacy of grand stone buildings, many now crumbling but still magnificent, that mix Malagasy, French and neoclassical styles. The city’s modern identity is a chaotic, vibrant blend of rice paddies, crowded markets and a young population hustling through daily life, with the Rova palace still watching from the highest ridge.
Best Time to Visit
Full Antananarivo guide →Best months
May and September: dry, sunny days around 22°C, clear skies for city walks, and thin crowds before European summer or winter breaks.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: European winter holidays bring a surge of travellers, especially families. Hotel prices can rise 20–30% and the city feels busier, but the weather is cool and crisp. The festival of Donia Music in late June/early July adds extra visitors.
Budget shoulder season
October and November: still dry but quieter, with slightly warmer days (25°C) and lower hotel rates. Good for budget-conscious photographers because the light is golden and the city’s jacaranda trees bloom purple.
Weather & packing
Tana’s climate is a year-round mild autumn: sunny afternoons followed by chilly evenings. Pack a warm fleece or puffer jacket for mornings and nights, plus a light rain jacket because sudden showers can roll in even in the dry season.
Live City Briefing — Antananarivo
- The new ‘Tana Hop’ bus rapid transit line opened in late 2025, connecting Analakely market with the southern suburbs — useful for avoiding taxi haggling on short hops.
- A major road renovation on Avenue de l’Indépendance finishes this month; expect traffic diversions around the city centre but smoother pavement in the long run.
- Diallo’s Gallery, a small contemporary art space in Isoraka, expanded with a new café terrace in June 2026 — worth a detour for coffee and local prints.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Résidence Imerina, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above 5th floor) to minimize street noise, as Antananarivo's streets can be quite lively. Given the hotel's 3-star rating and its address in the city center, it's likely that the higher floors will offer a more peaceful experience. Additionally, rooms on the east side of the hotel (facing the city) may have better views of the surrounding area.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the lower floors (1st to 3rd) might be noisier due to the proximity to the street and potential noise from the service entrance. Also, rooms near the lift might experience some disturbance from the elevator's operation.
Best views
Rooms on the east side of the hotel (facing the city) will offer views of the surrounding area, including the city's architecture and potentially the surrounding hills.
Quietest floors
Floors 6-10 are likely to be quieter, given their higher elevation and distance from the street.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel's location in the city center means that street noise is a consideration, but it's worth noting that the noise from the surrounding streets is likely to be more of a gentle hum rather than a loud din.
Insider tips
Request a room with a balcony for a more immersive experience and to take in the city views. Be mindful of the hotel's check-in time, as it's not specified in the data. Plan to arrive early to ensure a smooth check-in process.
- 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 — Résidence Imerina
free, 5 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, but some stairs-only access to certain historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) through the hotel's app
14:00-22:00, early bag-drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 15:00 with MGA 50,000 (approximately €9 or $10 USD) fee
available 24/7 on the ground floor, free of charge
step-free access, wheelchair entries at the main entrance; some rooms have adapted bathrooms, but not all
valet parking available, MGA 15,000 (approximately €2.70 or $3.00 USD) per night; nearest public car park is 5-minute walk away, MGA 5,000 (approximately €0.90 or $1.00 USD) per day
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: AR 20,000 per night (approximately €4.50 or $5.00 USD)
Deposit & card hold: MGA 200,000 (approximately €37 or $42 USD) advance deposit + MGA 100,000 (approximately €18 or $20 USD) incidental card hold 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
L'Arcadian — 961 m · ~12 min walk
Jardin d'Ambohijatovo — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Musée d'art et d'archéologie — 63 m · ~1 min walk
Théatre de verdure Antsahamanitra — 206 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 336 m · ~4 min walk
Pharmacie d'Isoraka — 252 m · ~3 min walk
Epiceo — 228 m · ~3 min walk
Primus F Ambatofahavalo — 229 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Malagasy Ariary, MGA
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at Ivato Airport or tourist hotels as they take a big cut.
Cards accepted in upscale hotels, supermarkets, and larger restaurants in central Antananarivo; cash needed for markets, taxis, and small shops.
Not mandatory but appreciated; round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good, small tip for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side kiosk coffee (café au lait) or a small café; roughly 1,000-2,000 MGA.
Plate of rice with meat or fish at a local 'hotely' (simple eatery); about 5,000-8,000 MGA.
Main at a mid-range restaurant in the Analakely or Antaninarenina area; budget around 10,000-15,000 MGA.
Analakely market area and the stalls along Avenue de l'Indépendance are the go-to for cheap brochettes, fried cakes, and fresh fruit.
Shoprite and Leader Price (Score) are the main budget supermarket chains in the city centre.
Analakely market and the Zoma (Friday market) in the old city for second-hand clothes and cheap textiles.
Shared minibus (taxi-be) around the city costs 600-1,000 MGA; from the airport, take a taxi-be to the Analakely bus station (about 3,000-5,000 MGA) rather than a taxi.
Eat at local 'hotely' rather than tourist cafes; haggle politely at markets; use taxi-be for short trips, not 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 Résidence Imerina
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 336 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie d'Isoraka — 252 m · ~3 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.
About Antananarivo
Wikipedia ↗
Antananarivo (Malagasy: [antananaˈrivʷ]; French: Tananarive, pronounced [tananaʁiv]), also known by its colonial shorthand form Tana (pronounced [tana]), is the capital and largest city of Madagascar. The administrative area of the city, known as Antananarivo-Renivohitra ("Antananarivo-Mother Hill" ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Résidence Imerina?
Request a room on a higher floor (above 5th floor) to minimize street noise, as Antananarivo's streets can be quite lively. Given the hotel's 3-star rating and its address in the city center, it's likely that the higher floors will offer a more peaceful experience. Additionally, rooms on the east side of the hotel (facing the city) may have better views of the surrounding area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Résidence Imerina?
Rooms on the lower floors (1st to 3rd) might be noisier due to the proximity to the street and potential noise from the service entrance. Also, rooms near the lift might experience some disturbance from the elevator's operation.
Is Résidence Imerina noisy?
The hotel's location in the city center means that street noise is a consideration, but it's worth noting that the noise from the surrounding streets is likely to be more of a gentle hum rather than a loud din.
Which rooms have the best views at Résidence Imerina?
Rooms on the east side of the hotel (facing the city) will offer views of the surrounding area, including the city's architecture and potentially the surrounding hills.
What are insider tips for staying at Résidence Imerina?
Request a room with a balcony for a more immersive experience and to take in the city views. Be mindful of the hotel's check-in time, as it's not specified in the data. Plan to arrive early to ensure a smooth check-in process.
What time is check-in at Résidence Imerina?
Check-in at Résidence Imerina is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Résidence Imerina have Wi-Fi?
free, 5 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Résidence Imerina?
AR 20,000 per night (approximately €4.50 or $5.00 USD)
Where can I eat cheaply near Résidence Imerina?
Plate of rice with meat or fish at a local 'hotely' (simple eatery); about 5,000-8,000 MGA.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Résidence Imerina?
Shared minibus (taxi-be) around the city costs 600-1,000 MGA; from the airport, take a taxi-be to the Analakely bus station (about 3,000-5,000 MGA) rather than a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Antananarivo?
May and September: dry, sunny days around 22°C, clear skies for city walks, and thin crowds before European summer or winter breaks.
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.