The oldest hotel in the Malagasy capital of Antananarivo, the Colbert first opened doors in 1928, but has since undergone several extensions and renovations, and the facade of the present-day seven-story construction is surprisingly modern, combining polished red tiles with extensive use of glass. Its location in the pedestrian-friendly downtown area is ideal for business travelers, but will also appeal to tourists, as it offers easy walking access to numerous shops, restaurants and other facilities.
The reception is friendly and efficient. It is housed in an opulent reception hall whose old-fashioned look—a combination of marble tiles, Persian carpets, chandeliers, wood-paneled wall and leather sofas—is enlivened by a selection of bright modernist paintings. On the first floor, a small lounge offers free 24-hour Internet access to hotel guests, and it's also a pleasant spot for a quiet drink or to read.
Two restaurants are housed within the hotel. La Taverne specializes is in genuine French cuisine and has a classic feel, and Le Fougere is more contemporary and cosmopolitan in its culinary influences. The most atmospheric of the three bars is called Le Cellier and is known for its excellent wine list, and a ground-floor patisserie called Le Cafe serves coffee and sumptuous pastries and snacks.
Other facilities include a spa and massage room, indoor heated pool, gym, business center, conference facilities, and a small in-house arcade of mostly overpriced shops and boutiques.
The rooms span seven stories and are reached by a fast elevator. Rooms are large and have small glass balconies that offer excellent views across the city center to the surrounding hills, whose more prominent features include the Queen's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
The overall feel of the decor is a little old-fashioned but very smart, with brown carpeting, wood-paneled walls, king-size beds, wooden desks and mock antique furnishings. Each bath has a marble tiled floor, two sinks, separate shower and tub, and a separate toilet. Fittings are generally of high quality. Other facilities include TVs, tea- and coffeemakers, air-conditioning, minibars, slippers, safes and plenty of cupboard space.
This is undoubtedly the top hotel in Antananarivo, certainly when it comes to overall opulence and facilities, and should be the first choice for people seeking a conventional but classy city hotel to international standards. It has a lot more character than its main competitor, the Madagascar Hilton, but is rather stuffy by comparison to Residence Lapasoa, and will generally appeal to an older crowd.