Skip to main content

New Madagascar resort brings rustic luxury to a quiet coast

New Voaara resort brings simple elegance to Madagascar

Bungalow at Voaara Resort
Voaara Resort

The new Voaara resort off Madagascar’s northeastern coast brings “quiet, barefoot luxury” to a paradise-like setting. Situated on the island of Sainte-Marie, where warm waters and quiet mornings await, the resort brings expert-curated features and world-class service. Charming bungalows and a three-bedroom villa blend with the surroundings, and relaxing spaces help you unwind. Here’s more on this special place.

Voaara Madagascar: Modern simplicity in an exotic land

Interior design at Voaara Resort
Voaara Resort

Entrepreneur and travel expert Philippe Kjellgren founded Voaara with its “quiet, barefoot luxury” concept influenced by his favorite hotels. Examples include Brazil’s Uxua Casa, French Polynesia’s The Brando, Uruguay’s Parador La Huella, and more. The result is a curated retreat set in the forest, the perfect place to recharge among nature. 

Recommended Videos

At opening, the resort will feature eight bungalows and a single three-bedroom villa designed by Luis F. Mira, a noted South African architect. Using reclaimed wood and local materials, he created refined spaces that meld with the surroundings. Each bungalow has its own infinity pool, and future plans include up to 45 units. 

As inspiration for Voaara, Philippe Kjellgren drew on his extensive luxury travels, with more than 2,000 stays across 149 countries. Drawing on that, he pored over every detail with an aim toward an authentic, innovative setting.

Voaara’s name combines two Madagasy words, “Voarara” and “Voara.” The former means “forbidden or sacred,” while the latter signifies “nature or fruit.” Together, they convey the resort’s bespoke, special character.

Stays start at $1,090 per night for two, including meals. For more information, visit the Voaara website, where you fill out a contact form to get in touch. 

Mark Reif
Mark Reif has a passion for the outdoors and travel, and telling the stories of his experiences. He’s a lifelong…
Why Spokane is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most underrated outdoor destinations
Spokane is high luxury, but it's interconnected with the outdoors
View from the Numerica Sky Ride in Spokane

I've lived in Washington State for a couple of years now, but I'm still unpacking all of the great places to stay and visit. There's so much to do in the Evergreen state, and during my recent stay in Spokane, I can definitely say that there are a lot of high-end luxury experiences too. From high-end hotels like the Davenport Collection and eateries to some of the best wines in the state, you might be surprised to learn that Spokane is actually a top destination for nature lovers, too. Here's everything you need to know about the wilder side of Spokane and why you should consider coming here during your next vacation.
Outdoorsy things to do in downtown Spokane

This city is a particularly unique place because the town was built around the Spokane River. This is a gorgeous ribbon of blue that's full of waterfalls, eddies, and streams that wind their way through the city. The best place to see this is in downtown Spokane, specifically at the famous Riverfront Park.

Read more
Hidden in plain sight: Understated luxury inside Nobu Hotel Atlantic City
A hidden, exclusive gem inside Ceasar's Atlantic City hotel
Nobu Atlantic City

I walked the Atlantic City boardwalk dozens of times last summer, yet completely missed the hidden Nobu Hotel inside Caesar's Atlantic City. Nobu Hotel Atlantic City, which opened in early 2024, is Atlantic City's hidden luxury gem. Situated within Caesar's Atlantic City, the Nobu Hotel occupies 85 rooms on the 42nd, 43rd, and 44th floors of the hotel. Having dined at the top-tier Nobu restaurant in my recent visit to Atlantis Bahamas, it's safe to say I was pretty excited for my first stay at a Nobu hotel. This boutique luxury experience almost feels like a secret and exclusive club, situated on the top three floors of the Centurion Tower. Decorated with neutral color schemes, modern touches, and subtle Japanese nuances, here's what it's like to stay at this concealed gem.

Special check-in and access for Nobu Hotel Atlantic City

Read more
Around the world in 60 days: The ultimate luxury travel experience
Rajasthan

Recent travel trends suggest travelers are seeking inspiration through entertainment. Thanks to Guy Ritchie's Fountain of Youth, starring John Krasinski and Natalie Portman, travelers are now hopping aboard the "around the world" travel trend. Data from Spate suggests that social media views on videos related to travel around the world have increased by 20% this quarter, with an average weekly view of 79.6 million.

Additionally, the search term "trip around the world" has increased by 5% this past quarter, indicating that travelers are interested in continent-hopping. Building on this trend concept, Butterfield & Robinson has launched a new "60-Day Around the World" trip that seamlessly blends luxury, culture, and conscious travel into a single journey.

Read more