Review: Casa Faly Nosy Be, Madagascar (One Of The Nicest Villas Ever)
- Konrad Tillman
- Apr 22
- 6 min read
Intro
Most of the time during my travels, I tend to view accommodations as more of a place to sleep rather than a luxury, even with the likes of the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton Hotels. So, when I come across a villa in Madagascar, which might be the best accommodation I have ever stayed in, that is pretty rare.
Set upon ocean views, Casa Faly in Nossi Be might be one of the most gorgeous villas in the whole world. With cooks, cleaners, masseuses, and all kind people, I honestly contemplated dropping out of college and moving here full time 😂.
Location+Price
Overlooking the gorgeous coastline, Casa Faly is located in the Northwestern part of Nosy Be, about a 10-minute drive from the bustling beach resorts in Andilana. It's the perfect way to escape the craziness, while still being close enough to go out for a evening.
The drop-dead gorgeous villa is situated at the very top of the hill, surrounded by other villas beneath. Arriving at the villa, I was pleased to see that there was a guard gate (monitored 24/7), providing the utmost safety for guests.
For 500$ a night (booked through VRBO), this is a place that is simply stunning. As I like to call it "It's a slice of paradise" (I'm a poet and I don't even know it, okay I'll see myself out now)
Around The Villa
Originally, when booking, I was concerned that the price was too good to be true for the whole villa, but I was ever so wrong. This place is nothing short of enormous, easily accommodating upwards of 10 guests. During our 2-night stay, we didn't even get to use half of what the villa had to offer.
Upon entering, strqaight down the middle is a large open-aired kitchen. For those that don't like to do anything (aka lazy (or relaxed)), the lovely team of staff come at 7 am in the morning to prepare coffee and breakfast for you, as well as hand crafting delicious items throughout the day.
Situated around the kitchen are a multitude of seating arrangements set up. You can clearly tell that the lovely Italian owners put a lot of thought into this villa, creating a Balinese ex-European rustic feel to it.
Off to the left is the staple piece of the villa. Situated over some magnificent views is a beautiful swimming pool to take a dip in when you are feeling too hot. Every day, one of the staff members cleans it, meaning that the pool you are getting into is nice and fresh, heated to perfection.
But this villa just goes on and on. It's truly a place to hold a rustic feel Great Gatsby party. Sunset viewpoints are a plentiful, grab a glass of wine or a cigar, and sit back on one of the many couches to soak in these gobsmacking views. WOW.
This villa is awesome, nothing else to add.
Bedrooms
If you plan on staying here, there is something you need to come to terms with: it's not about the luxury of the villa, it's about the charm. With 5 grand bedrooms, each were modernized with power outlets and fans, while still giving off that rustic feel. Four of the bedrooms are located to the left of the villa (overlooking the pool), and then the "master" bedroom is off to the right of the kitchen.
Every morning, the staff would make up our beds, just like in a luxury resort, and turn them down come evening time. Mosquitos are a problem here, so the nets are needed...
This might not be the Aman in terms of luxury, but to me it's much better...
Views
If there is a reason to stay at Casa Faly, it is because of the views. In all my years of traveling, never have I come across 180 panoramic views offering what Casa Faly offers. It's remarkable to look out over the crystal clear water during the day, and have the sunset set right in front of you.
This is the perfect opportunity to have a nice glass of a South African red wine and decompress after exploring Nosy Be.
Dining
As if life couldn't get better, it somehow has. Dining was another highlight of the stay at Casa Faly, as you don't have to do anything as a guest. For breakfast, the staff ask the night before what time you would like to have it, and they come in the morning to prepare whatever your heart desires. From actual coffee in beautiful pots to freshly made croissants, it is the perfect way to wake up.
As someone who had been deprived of red meat for too long, I asked the staff if they could pick up some steak for me (2 KG) for lunch and dinner on both days. When I say the staff can cook, this was better than the steak I had at the Four Seasons Desroches Island: so flavourful.
I'll touch on service in a bit, but the attention to detail from the staff was extraordinary. Truly a one-of-a-kind experience, so thank you 🙏.
Massage
Entering a food coma, the next thing on my mind was having a massage. When staying at Casa Faly, you don't have to go anywhere to get a massage since they have outdoor massage rooms. As if it couldn't get any better, massages are 40,000 local currency (about 8 USD).
The price was so good that we ended up getting one each every morning and evening, and these were some of the best massages I have come across in Africa. It is honestly heaven here, what more could one want??
Beaches
If you go to Nosy Be, you are most likely going to relax on a beach. So you might be thinking, "while this all looks amazing, where is the beach"? Answer: located about a 5 minute walk past the beautiful lemurs, lies...
A beautiful private beach, which is only accessible to those staying in a villa in the compound. If you fancy going to a party beach, call up the owner (a lovely lady) and she can arrange a tuk-tuk to take you there within 10 minutes.
Service
Service at Casa Faly is nothing short of some of the best in the world. Even the Aman doesn't come close, can you imagine your own staff that goes out to get the groceries you request?? It is amazing! Here are some points that stood out to me:
Breakfast- I mean, the fact that the staff come in so early just to make sure guests are happy is amazing
Their cooking is amazing: nothing else to say
The staff are genuinely kind. I have long been a believer that if you show respect, respect is shown, but the staff here went above and beyond.
Arriving at 11 pm at night to see two masseuses still waiting, thanks to the team for informing, is just surreal. What more could you want when arriving off a 6-hour delayed flight?
Final Thoughts
Casa Faly isn’t just a villa — it’s an experience that blurs the line between vacation and fantasy. From the jaw-dropping views to the staff that feel more like family, everything here operates on a level that’s hard to put into words (but I tried, okay, you get it, haha?). Whether you’re chasing sunsets, needing a digital detox, or just craving perfectly seared steak after a beach walk past lemurs (yep, this is real...), this place delivers in ways few destinations ever do. STAY HERE, and no, I do not get a commission!
Would I go back? In a heartbeat.
Would I recommend it? Only if you’re ready to seriously reconsider your entire life trajectory.
Link (if you want it): https://es-l.airbnb.com/rooms/13724637?source_impression_id=p3_1745372379_P3Vm_goLBrKPPpLd
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