The Reception & Your Daily Rhythm

At Aurora Lodge, we want your transition into island life to be as smooth as the lagoon. While we’re all about the “Slow Life,” our reception team keeps things humming behind the scenes to make sure you’re taken care of.

• Reception Hours: We’re here for you every day from 08:00 to 18:00.

• Late Arrivals: Traveling can be unpredictable—we get it. If you’re arriving outside of our regular hours, don’t sweat it. We’re happy to welcome you at any time with no extra fees, we just ask that you give us a heads-up in advance so we can have someone ready to greet you!

• Check-In (12:00): Your sanctuary will be ready for you at noon. If you arrive earlier, feel free to drop your bags, grab a fresh juice at the bar, and start your vacation early.

• Check-Out (11:00): We ask that you say your “see you laters” to your bungalow by 11:00 AM so we can get it perfect for the next guest.

Not ready to leave the island yet? Check-out doesn’t mean the adventure is over. You are more than welcome to store your luggage at the reception after you’ve checked out. Feel free to spend the rest of the day snorkeling, lounging in the hammocks, or grabbing one last pizza before you head home. We’ll keep your bags safe until you’re ready to catch your boat.

Settling Up: How Billing Works

We like to keep the “business” side of things as simple and transparent as possible, so you can spend your time focusing on the waves instead of the paperwork. To keep your stay organized, we use a straightforward two-step billing process:

• At Check-In: We’ll settle the bill for your accommodation when you first arrive. This gets the essentials out of the way so you can officially kick off your vacation.

• The “Island Tab”: Throughout your stay, any extra magic—like delicious dinners at the restaurant, sunset cocktails at the bar, guided excursions, or your transfers—will be added to your personal room tab. You can settle this second bill comfortably at the reception when you check out.

Payment Methods

We are one of the few spots on the island that offers modern payment options. We happily accept:

• Cash: Local currency (Malagasy Ariary / MGA).

• Cards: VISA and Mastercard.

The Cash Reality Check

While Aurora Lodge embraces 21st-century standards, the rest of Ile aux Nattes is beautifully analog. Most local businesses, small beach bars, and village shops do not accept electronic payments or credit cards.

To make sure you can fully experience the island’s culture and flavors without any hiccups, we highly recommend bringing enough cash for your out-of-lodge adventures.

• • Pro-Tip: There are no ATMs on Ile aux Nattes. The nearest one is located at the airport on the southern tip of Ile Sainte Marie. We suggest making a quick stop there to top up your Ariary before you hop on the boat to reach our shores!

At Aurora, we believe in being 100% transparent about your stay. Beyond our base rate, there are a few small local taxes and contributions that help keep Ile aux Nattes beautiful and support the local community.

These are typically settled at the lodge during your stay. Here is the breakdown:

01. The Official Tourist Taxes

These are mandatory government and local commune taxes required for all visitors to Sainte Marie and Ile aux Nattes.

• Taxe de Séjour (Commune Tax): 10,000 Ariary per person. This is a one-time fee for your first night on the island.

  • Pro-tip: If you’ve already stayed at another hotel on Sainte Marie or Ile aux Nattes before arriving at Aurora, just let us know! If you’ve already paid this tax elsewhere, you won’t have to pay it again.

• Taxe Vignette (State Tax): 1,000 Ariary per bungalow, per night. This is a small state-level contribution required for every night of your stay.

02. Local Eco-Tourism Contribution

5,000 Ariary per person

Because we live on an island with limited resources, every small bit of help goes a long way. This isn’t just a fee; it’s a direct investment in the future of our home. We collect this contribution to ensure that tourism remains a force for good on Ile aux Nattes.

Where does your 5,000 Ar go?

• 50% to the Ile aux Nattes Insulary Committee: This fund directly supports local sustainable development projects, from waste management to community infrastructure.

• 50% to Destination Ile aux Nattes: This goes to our local tourism association, which works tirelessly to develop and promote responsible eco-tourism across the island.

By staying with us, you’re helping us protect the very magic that brought you here in the first place. Misaotra! (Thank you!)

Stay Connected (When You Want To)

We’re big fans of the “Digital Detox” in our bungalows, but we know the outside world occasionally needs a check-in. Whether you need to post a sunset photo or join a quick meeting from paradise, we’ve got you covered.

Our high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the restaurant and garden. With 99.9% uptime, it’s as reliable as the island tides—meaning you get the best of both worlds: a remote island escape with 21st-century connectivity.

Living Off-Grid: Our Self-Sustained Soul

Ile aux Nattes is a special place, and part of its magic comes from being entirely disconnected from the national water and electricity grids. At Aurora Lodge, we are 100% self-sustained. This means we create our own power and manage our own water—a “luxury of consciousness” that we are proud to share with you.

About Our Electricity

We harness the Malagasy sun to power the lodge. Our solar system is robust and provides 24/7 electricity 99% of the time. However, solar energy is a finite resource, and it does have its limitations.

To ensure that every guest has a reliable 24/7 supply, we have a few strict “power rules” regarding high-heat and high-consumption devices. We kindly ask that you do not use or bring:

• Hair-care tools: Hair-dryers, curling irons, or hair straighteners.

• Kitchen appliances: Electrical water-boilers, stoves, blenders, or rice-cookers.

Essentially, anything that creates heat electronically will overwhelm our system. We thank you for respecting these boundaries so we can keep the lights on for everyone!

About Our Water

Our water system is a self-contained cycle designed for the island environment. It consists of our own well, a water tower, and gas-powered water heaters.

• Hot Water 24/7: Unlike many remote locations, you will have hot water for your shower whenever you need it.

• The Island Flow: Because we rely on gravity and a self-contained system, the water pressure is “island-style”—it’s functional and constant, but won’t be the high-pressure blast you might find in a city skyscraper.

Our Commitment to You Living off-grid is a beautiful challenge. If you ever experience an issue with your water or electricity, please let our reception team know immediately. We are experts at navigating our systems and will do our absolute best to resolve any hiccups as quickly as possible.

Peace of Mind: Safety & Security

Ile aux Nattes is famously laid-back and generally very safe. However, to ensure you can fully relax into the Slow Life, we’ve put a few thoughtful security measures in place so you never have to think twice about your belongings.

• On-Site Security: For your comfort, we have a night guard on duty and security cameras positioned at key spots across the property. We rarely see any issues, but we believe in being prepared.

• Lock Up: Even if you’re just popping over to the restaurant for a pizza or a cocktail, we recommend closing your windows and locking your door. No need to tempt fate!

• The Safe Zone: Please keep your valuables locked in your in-room safe or keep them on your person while exploring.

• Cash Wisdom: Since Aurora Lodge accepts credit cards, you don’t need to carry large amounts of money. For your island adventures, we recommend a maximum of 150,000 Ariary per person, per day.

• Island Nightlife: If you’re heading out to experience the island’s discotheques and bars after dark, just keep a casual eye on your bag—standard travel common sense applies!

Housekeeping & Sanctuary Care

At Aurora Lodge, we believe your room should be a constant refuge. Our team provides twice-daily service to ensure you stay comfortable and protected from the elements.

• Morning Service: Our housekeeping team will refresh your room, tidy your space, and ensure everything is sparkling for the day ahead.

• Afternoon Turndown: In the late afternoon, we return to prepare your sanctuary for the night. We’ll lower your mosquito net and light a mosquito coil to ensure you have a peaceful, bite-free sleep.

Our Eco-Linen Policy

Water is our most precious resource on the island. To help us conserve it, we’ve adopted a sustainable approach to laundry:

• Towels: If you hang your towel up to dry, we know you’re happy to use it again. If you’d like fresh ones, simply leave them on the floor and we will replace them.

• Sheets: To minimize our footprint, we change bed linens every three days (and, of course, between every guest). If your sheets are visibly dirty or you’d prefer a more frequent change, just let the reception know—we’re happy to accommodate.

Island-Fresh Laundry

Travel light and let us handle the washing. You’ll find a laundry basket and price list in your bungalow. Simply leave your items in the basket, and we’ll take care of the rest.

The “Sun-Dry” Timeline:

Because we lean into nature, our laundry is air-dried by the tropical sun and breeze.

• Sunny Weather: You’ll have your clothes back the very next day.

• Rainy Weather: It may take up to 3 days to ensure everything is perfectly dry.

Laundry Pricing:

Growing Together: Our Quality Promise

We are constantly striving to improve and elevate the Aurora Lodge experience. We believe that working with the best people is the only way to grow, and we are currently training our local staff to meet international standards.

Your feedback is our most valuable tool! If our cleaning or service is ever anything less than satisfactory, please let our reception team know immediately. It allows us to provide specific, real-time training for our team and ensures we can make it right for you instantly. We appreciate you being part of our journey toward excellence.

Tipping & Gratitude

While tipping is never obligatory, our team is incredibly grateful for any extra appreciation if you’ve enjoyed your stay at Aurora. To ensure our appreciation reaches everyone fairly, we have a collective tipping policy.

We kindly ask that you do not tip individual staff members directly. Instead, you’ll find a Community Tip Box located at the reception. We believe in a “one team” philosophy, so all contributions are divided equally among every single member of the Aurora staff. This ensures that the people you might not see every day—like our hard-working maintenance crew, laundry team, and gardeners—are recognized just as much as our customer-facing roles. Every one of them is essential to the quality of your stay, and this system ensures no one is left behind

We know that life happens, and sometimes even the best-laid travel plans need to shift. However, because Aurora Lodge is a small, independent boutique eco-lodge with a limited number of bungalows, cancellations have a significant impact on our team and the local community we support. We try to be as flexible as possible, but we also have to ensure we can keep the lights (and the solar panels) on!

Change of Plans? If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know as early as possible. The more notice we have, the better the chance we can offer your sanctuary to another traveler.

Our Policy:  

• • 15 days or more before arrival: No charge, we feel confident that we can fill the room.
  • 14 to 7 days before arrival: We will refund 25% of your booking.
  • 6 to 2 days before arrival: We will refund 25% of your booking.
  • Less than 2 days before arrival: Unfortunately, at this stage, we are unable to offer a refund as it is difficult for us to re-book the space on such short notice.

We highly recommend that all our guests take out travel insurance to cover any unexpected hiccups. It’s the best way to ensure you’re protected, no matter what happens.