Your stay — Hotel Sharon Menabe
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The Property — Hotel Sharon Menabe
Hotel Sharon Menabe sits on the edge of Morondava with a functional, no-frills lobby where varnished wood meets checked linoleum. It’s a three-star base camp for travellers heading to the Avenue of the Baobabs or the Kirindy Forest, not a destination in itself. The USP is its location on the main road out of town, plus a large garden with a pool that offers relief from the heat. Best for independent travellers who want a clean, affordable room and a decent breakfast before an early start.
Chronicles of Morondava
Morondava was founded as a fishing village by the Sakalava people and became a French colonial outpost in the early 1900s, when hardwood and rubber exports drove a small port economy. The wide, sandy streets and pastel-fronted buildings reflect a faded colonial grid mixed with Malagasy wooden houses on stilts. Cyclones and fires have reshaped the centre several times, so little colonial architecture remains intact. Today Morondava is the gateway to the Menabe region’s dry forests and baobab groves, and its identity is split between a laid-back market town and a launching pad for wildlife tourism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Morondava guide →Best months
April to June: dry season starts, temperatures drop to a comfortable mid-20s C, and the baobabs are green. Crowds are still thin, with good availability at small hotels like Hotel Sharon Menabe.
Peak / festival surge
July to September: peak dry season and European summer holidays. The Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset is packed, and hotel prices across Morondava rise 30–50% from off-peak. No specific festival drives it, but the lemur-watching and baobab photography draw the crowds.
Budget shoulder season
October and November: weather stays dry and hot but hotel occupancy drops as the European summer rush ends. Prices soften, and you’ll share the baobab roads with fewer cars. Early November sees the start of the rainy season’s first squalls.
Weather & packing
Morondava is hot year-round but gets a dry, dusty wind from July to September that dries your skin and throat. Pack a buff or bandana for the gusts on dirt roads, and always carry a refillable water bottle—tap water is not drinkable.
Live City Briefing — Morondava
- The RN34 road from Morondava to Belo-sur-Mer has been graded for the dry season, making the 4x4 trip faster than in 2025, but still expect deep sand sections.
- Cyclone season (Jan–Mar) is well past, so no active storm threat; however, dry-season bushfires have been reported near the Kirindy Forest reserve—check with the park office before driving.
- A city electricity upgrade is ongoing in central Morondava; streetlights near the Avenue de la Libération are dimmer than usual, so carry a headtorch for evening walks to restaurants.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Sharon Menabe, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear of the building (away from the street) for a quieter stay and some breeze. Upper floors minimise street-level noise and offer slightly better air circulation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the entrance or lobby — they're prone to foot traffic noise and heat from the street. Also avoid rooms directly overlooking Morondava's main road (likely Route Nationale 8) if your window faces the street.
Best views
Limited view — likely onto neighbouring buildings or scrubland. A rear-facing upper-floor room may catch a glimpse of the Morondava River delta or distant baobabs, but don't expect postcard scenes. The street side offers rooftops and occasional tuk-tuk traffic.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors — sufficiently elevated to reduce street and ground-level activity, but without the engine noise from a lift (if one exists).
🔊 Noise notes
Morondava's main road gets tuk-tuks, motorbikes, and the odd cattle cart from early morning until late evening. The hotel is a short drive from the beach, so expect some bar and restaurant noise drifting from town centre at night. Mosquitoes are a given after dusk — close windows early.
Insider tips
1. Request a fan in addition to A/C (if available) — power cuts are common in Morondava and A/C won't run. 2. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a rear-facing upper room — they go fast with travellers looking for quiet after the bumpy road from Antananarivo.
- 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 — Hotel Sharon Menabe
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx 5 Mbps (enough for messaging, not video calls); login via room number and surname
No lift – two-storey building with stairs only; all rooms on ground or first floor
No physical newspapers; no digital newsstand. One TV in lobby playing local news
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop from 08:00; late check-out until 16:00 for 50% of nightly rate
Free storage in lobby luggage room; no lockers
No step-free access – one step at entrance; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; ground-floor rooms available but still require step
On-site free parking for 6 cars; no valet. Nearest public car park: parking lot on Rue Principale, 800 MGA/h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; 100,000 MGA incidental hold on card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Efitranon'ny Fanjakan'Andriamanitra (470 m · ~6 min walk)
- Place of worship: Fpvm Morondava Namahora (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
- Place of worship: Fiangonana Apokalipsy Ziona Vaovao (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bank of Africa — 601 m · ~8 min walk
Pharmacie de l'Amicale — 205 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Malagasy Ariary, MGA
Change money at banks or exchange bureaus in town; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards are accepted at upmarket hotels and some restaurants in Morondava, but most places expect cash; contactless is rare.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated: 5-10% in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and give a small tip (2,000-5,000 MGA) to hotel staff for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso or Nescafé at a local kiosk or bakery: about 1,000-2,000 MGA.
A plate of rice with a meat or fish sauce (laoka) at a street-side 'hotely': 3,000-5,000 MGA.
A main of grilled fish or chicken with rice at a simple local restaurant: 6,000-8,000 MGA.
Look for night market stalls near the beach or central streets selling brochettes, samosas, and fresh fruit.
Small local épiceries and a larger supermarket called Shoprite on the main road (Avenue de l'Indépendance).
The weekly market (Avenue de la Liberté area) sells second-hand clothing and basic new items at low prices.
Shared taxi-brousse (bush taxi) runs along main roads for 500-1,000 MGA per short trip; from the airport, a taxi-brousse into town costs about 5,000 MGA per person.
Eat at local hotelys rather than tourist restaurants to halve costs.Negotiate taxi fares before getting in — always offer half the initial price.Buy bottled water and snacks at épiceries instead of hotel shops.
Emergency Contacts
MorondavaFor general emergencies, dial 117 (police), 118 (fire), or 15 (ambulance). The hospital in Morondava is Centre Hospitalier de Morondava (CHUM), phone +261 34 05 214 35. For remote areas, check with your lodge or guide.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Morondava, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Sharon Menabe
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Bank of Africa — 601 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie de l'Amicale — 205 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Morondava Airport (MOQ) → Les 3 Cocotiers Hotel
💡 Negotiate the price before getting in. 15,000 MGA is fair for a one-way into town. Drivers often wait at the small airport terminal, but confirm your hotel's name in advance.
Anywhere in central Morondava → Les 3 Cocotiers Hotel
💡 These cycle-rickshaws are human-powered. For short trips near the hotel, it's fine. Negotiate a fixed fare first—2,000 MGA covers a 15-minute ride. They won't cross the river to the airport.
Morondava city centre → Les 3 Cocotiers Hotel (on Rue de l'Indépendance)
💡 Shared taxis (collectifs) are cheaper at 1,500 MGA per person. They run along Rue de l'Indépendance to the hotel area. Wave them down with your hand pointing downwards.
Morondava bus station (Gare Routière) → Les 3 Cocotiers Hotel (get off at main junction)
💡 Use only to get between the bus station and the hotel. They're cramped and hot. For airport trips, a taxi is more reliable. The stop is on the main road opposite the hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Sharon Menabe?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear of the building (away from the street) for a quieter stay and some breeze. Upper floors minimise street-level noise and offer slightly better air circulation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Sharon Menabe?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the entrance or lobby — they're prone to foot traffic noise and heat from the street. Also avoid rooms directly overlooking Morondava's main road (likely Route Nationale 8) if your window faces the street.
Is Hotel Sharon Menabe noisy?
Morondava's main road gets tuk-tuks, motorbikes, and the odd cattle cart from early morning until late evening. The hotel is a short drive from the beach, so expect some bar and restaurant noise drifting from town centre at night. Mosquitoes are a given after dusk — close windows early.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Sharon Menabe?
Limited view — likely onto neighbouring buildings or scrubland. A rear-facing upper-floor room may catch a glimpse of the Morondava River delta or distant baobabs, but don't expect postcard scenes. The street side offers rooftops and occasional tuk-tuk traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Sharon Menabe?
1. Request a fan in addition to A/C (if available) — power cuts are common in Morondava and A/C won't run. 2. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a rear-facing upper room — they go fast with travellers looking for quiet after the bumpy road from Antananarivo.
What time is check-in at Hotel Sharon Menabe?
Check-in at Hotel Sharon Menabe is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Sharon Menabe have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx 5 Mbps (enough for messaging, not video calls); login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Sharon Menabe?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Sharon Menabe?
A plate of rice with a meat or fish sauce (laoka) at a street-side 'hotely': 3,000-5,000 MGA.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Sharon Menabe?
Shared taxi-brousse (bush taxi) runs along main roads for 500-1,000 MGA per short trip; from the airport, a taxi-brousse into town costs about 5,000 MGA per person.
When is the best time to visit Morondava?
April to June: dry season starts, temperatures drop to a comfortable mid-20s C, and the baobabs are green. Crowds are still thin, with good availability at small hotels like Hotel Sharon Menabe.
Top Attractions in Morondava
💡 Go early (7–9 am) for the best selection of fresh fruit—try a chonedle, a spiky fruit tasting like vanilla custard. Entry is free, but bring small coins for purchases.
💡 Walk north along the beach to the small fishing village—vendors sell grilled zebu skewers and fresh coconut for about 1,000 Ariary. Avoid swimming after dark.
💡 Walk along the wooden pier at low tide to spot small crabs and hermit crabs. No entry fee, but watch your step—planks are loose in places. Best in late afternoon for cool breezes.
💡 Hire a bicycle from Morondava for about 5,000 Ariary and cycle there yourself—it's flat and takes 45 minutes. Taxi-brousse there is 2,000 Ariary per person.
💡 Book a night walk (15,000 Ariary extra) to see mouse lemurs and nocturnal birds. Bring water and wear long trousers against thorns. Taxi-brousse to the entrance costs 8,000 Ariary from town.