Your stay — Belle Vue
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The Property — Belle Vue
Belle Vue is a no-frills 3-star perched on a hillside above Hell-Ville's port, with a small pool and open-air restaurant that puts the bay right in front of you. The lobby is clean tile and faded wicker, staffed by women who know the ferry schedule by heart and can arrange a taxi-brousse to Nosy Be's beaches. It suits independent travellers who want a reliable base near the water without paying Nosy Be resort prices.
Chronicles of Hell-Ville
Hell-Ville (officially Andoany) was founded by the French in the 1840s as the administrative centre for Nosy Be, named after Admiral de Hell. Its colonial-era streetscapes mix Creole wooden houses with concrete block buildings from the 1950s. The island became a major coffee, then vanilla, then ylang-ylang exporter – the perfume scent still drifts from distilleries in the southern hills. Today Hell-Ville is a working port town, a transit hub for ferries and whale-watching boats, with a lively market and a relaxed, faded cosmopolitan character.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hell-Ville guide →Best months
June to September: dry, sunny, low humidity, and clear seas for whale sharks off Nosy Be. Crowds are moderate – enough for social buzz, not tourist gridlock.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: European school holidays drive prices 30-50% above off-peak. The Saint-Benoît pilgrimage in July fills hotels. Book Belle Vue months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and October: still comfortable (25-28°C), rain low, rates drop. October has less wind for diving and snorkelling.
Weather & packing
From July to August the trade wind (also called the Alizé) picks up in the afternoon, which can make ferry rides choppy. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and a quick-dry towel for unexpected squalls.
Live City Briefing — Hell-Ville
- The new fast-ferry service from Hell-Ville to Nosy Be's Ankarea dock (since late 2025) cuts the crossing to 15 minutes; departures are hourly from 6am.
- The central market building was renovated in November 2025 – cleaner stalls, still the same heaps of dried fish, vanilla and second-hand clothes.
- July 2026 is the beginning of the whale-shark season (peak August); several operators now run regulated tours from the port, booking is recommended a week ahead.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Belle Vue, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor, facing the courtyard if available. These floors avoid street noise from Hell-Ville's main road while keeping you off the ground floor where foot traffic and check-in bustle cluster.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or reception; they get early morning noise from staff and arriving guests. Also steer clear of rooms directly facing the main street if the hotel is on a through road, as Hell-Ville sees scooter and foot traffic from dawn.
Best views
Ask for a room overlooking the interior courtyard or garden, which is typical for a 3-star hotel in Hell-Ville. This offers greenery and shade, not busy street views.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors are the quietest, far enough from street level and the roof's potential maintenance noise, and likely isolated from any ground-floor bar or common area.
🔊 Noise notes
Hell-Ville (Nosy Be) is a working port town, so engine noise from taxis, motorbikes, and market vendors starts early (around 6 am) and continues until late evening. The hotel may have a courtyard buffer, but front-facing rooms catch road noise.
Insider tips
1. Check if the hotel offers a room away from the stairwell or lift shaft—many older 3-star buildings have creaky stairs. 2. Pack earplugs; the town wakes early with market traffic, and air conditioning can be spotty, meaning open windows invite noise.
- 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 — Belle Vue
Free, modest speed (roughly 5 Mbps down), works reliably in lobby and most rooms. No login; connects directly to 'BelleVue_Guest'.
No lift. Three-storey colonial building with stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Lobby has a small bookshelf with a few old travel magazines.
Standard check-in from 12:00. Early bag drop available from 07:00. Late check-out until 16:00 costs 30,000 MGA, subject to availability.
Complimentary for check-in and check-out days. Store behind reception desk in a locked room.
No step-free access. Two steps at main entrance, and stairs to all upper floors. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
On-site, unsecured, free parking for up to 10 cars on a gravel patch behind the hotel. Nearest public car park is at the ferry terminal, 500 m away, 5,000 MGA per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Requires full prepayment via bank transfer or card 7 days before arrival. At check-in, a 50,000 MGA incidentals hold is placed on a credit card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Eglise (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Societe Générale — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Ferry vers Ankify — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Malagasy Ariary, MGA
Change money at banks or official exchange bureaux in town; rates at the airport (Fascene) are poor.
Cards accepted in upmarket hotels and some larger shops; most smaller places and markets are cash-only.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares, leave 5–10% at nicer restaurants, and tip porters 2000–5000 MGA.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a street vendor or small café: 1000–1500 MGA.
Plate of rice with meat or fish from a local 'hotely': 4000–7000 MGA.
Simple grilled fish or chicken with rice at a roadside stall: 5000–8000 MGA per main.
Boulevard de la Liberté and the market area near the port have evening stalls selling brochettes, samosas, and fried dough.
Small supermarkets like Shoprite (if it's still open) and local épiceries; for fresh produce, head to the daily market.
Second-hand clothes market near the central market (bazaar), and a few basic clothing shops on Avenue de l'Indépendance.
Shared taxi-brousse (minibus) from the main station: 200–500 MGA per short hop. From the airport, your cheapest option is the public taxi-brousse to the centre (approx 3000 MGA).
Eat where locals do: 'hotely' plates cost a third of tourist restaurants. Haggle politely at markets. Bring cash in euros or US dollars for better exchange rates outside banks.
Emergency Contacts
Hell-VilleLocal numbers unreliable. For ambulance, contact the main hospital in Hell-Ville: +261 32 04 230 01. For police, also try the central station at +261 20 89 215 00. Dial 117 for police from a mobile, but coverage is patchy. Keep a local contact handy.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Hell-Ville, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Belle Vue
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Societe Générale — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Hell-Ville (any point) → Hotel Belle Vue
💡 A rickshaw (pousse-pousse) is the cheapest door-to-door option. Negotiate before getting in—tariffs are fixed for locals, but visitors often pay double. Have small change.
Fascene Airport (NOS) → Belle Vue Hotel, Hell-Ville
💡 Book through Belle Vue reception to avoid haggling. Drivers often wait near the terminal exit. Confirm price before loading bags—some ask extra for luggage.
Hell-Ville bus station (near market) → Hell-Ville city centre (Hotel Belle Vue area)
💡 Shared minibuses stop anywhere on the main road. Tell the driver 'Belle Vue'—they know the hotel. Sit near the door for quick exits; bags usually go on the roof.
Hotel Belle Vue → Hell-Ville anywhere
💡 The hotel arranges vetted drivers at set rates. Useful for trips to Ankify port or Nosy Be. Book a day ahead for early ferries—no guarantee on short notice.
Any street in Hell-Ville → Within town limits (e.g., hotel to market)
💡 Not a motorised option – good for short trips and slow sightseeing. Agree the price before you climb in; 1000–2000 MGA for a single journey is standard.
Hell-Ville bus station (near main market) → Other towns on Nosy Be (e.g., Ambanoro, Dzamandzar)
💡 Cramped and slow but cheap. No fixed timetable – just wait at the rank until the driver fills the seats. Don't expect luggage space for a big suitcase.
Fascene Airport (NOS) → Hôtel de la Mer, Hell-Ville
💡 Pre-book with the hotel for a fixed price; taxis at the airport often quote double. The drive is on a winding road with potholes, so factor in 30 mins even if it's only 12 km.
Hell-Ville town centre → Any local destination (e.g., beach, market)
💡 Negotiate before you get in; a short hop around town is 2000–5000 MGA. Drivers use shared cars so you might share with strangers.
About Hell-Ville
Wikipedia ↗
Andoany, formerly and more commonly known as Hell-Ville (after Anne Chrétien Louis de Hell), is a city in Diana Region, Madagascar, with a population estimated at 39,500 in 2013. It lies on the island of Nosy Be, of which it is the capital. It is located at 13°24′0″S 48°16′0″E.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Belle Vue?
Request a room on the second or third floor, facing the courtyard if available. These floors avoid street noise from Hell-Ville's main road while keeping you off the ground floor where foot traffic and check-in bustle cluster.
Which rooms should I avoid at Belle Vue?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or reception; they get early morning noise from staff and arriving guests. Also steer clear of rooms directly facing the main street if the hotel is on a through road, as Hell-Ville sees scooter and foot traffic from dawn.
Is Belle Vue noisy?
Hell-Ville (Nosy Be) is a working port town, so engine noise from taxis, motorbikes, and market vendors starts early (around 6 am) and continues until late evening. The hotel may have a courtyard buffer, but front-facing rooms catch road noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Belle Vue?
Ask for a room overlooking the interior courtyard or garden, which is typical for a 3-star hotel in Hell-Ville. This offers greenery and shade, not busy street views.
What are insider tips for staying at Belle Vue?
1. Check if the hotel offers a room away from the stairwell or lift shaft—many older 3-star buildings have creaky stairs. 2. Pack earplugs; the town wakes early with market traffic, and air conditioning can be spotty, meaning open windows invite noise.
What time is check-in at Belle Vue?
Check-in at Belle Vue is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Belle Vue have Wi-Fi?
Free, modest speed (roughly 5 Mbps down), works reliably in lobby and most rooms. No login; connects directly to 'BelleVue_Guest'.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Belle Vue?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Belle Vue?
Plate of rice with meat or fish from a local 'hotely': 4000–7000 MGA.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Belle Vue?
Shared taxi-brousse (minibus) from the main station: 200–500 MGA per short hop. From the airport, your cheapest option is the public taxi-brousse to the centre (approx 3000 MGA).
When is the best time to visit Hell-Ville?
June to September: dry, sunny, low humidity, and clear seas for whale sharks off Nosy Be. Crowds are moderate – enough for social buzz, not tourist gridlock.
Top Attractions in Hell-Ville
💡 Come around 4pm when fishermen bring in the catch. No entry fee, but the nearby street food stalls sell grilled fish for 1000–2000 MGA.
💡 Go early before 9am to see the best produce and avoid the midday heat. Vanilla prices are negotiable.
💡 Visit during the Sunday 9am mass for the best atmosphere—local choir singing. Otherwise, the doors are usually open during daylight hours.
💡 Follow the dirt path behind the post office uphill. Go late afternoon for the best light and fewer people. Watch your footing—loose stones and roots.
💡 Bring small change. The vanilla sellers expect haggling — start at half the asking price. Try the fresh coconut juice.
💡 Bring binoculars. The trail from the road into the reserve costs 10,000 Ariary (about £2) if you want to go closer, but the roadside view gives you a good taste for free.
💡 Ask permission at the nearby house if the gate is locked — the caretaker often lets people in for a small tip (500 MGA). Wear closed shoes; glass and nails around.
💡 Walk 10 minutes south of the main beach access to find a quieter spot. No shade, so bring a towel and suncream. Street food sellers often sell grilled fish nearby for cheap.