Tana is a difficult city to love, and has that hard edge noticeably absent in the rest of Madagascar. A steady stream of migrants flock to the city from the provinces and there sadly isn't enough opportunity to go round.
With that it mind it is more reassuring to have something safe and comfortable, and may be worth paying that bit more to ensure you do. We travelled to Madagascar with an agency and another hotel was nominated for our last night in the country at first, which changed to the Grand Mellis upon arrival. The agency were generally very good, but this was one of the bum notes. The Grand Mellis is serviceable and has pleasant staff, but has little else to recommend it.
Our room was clean, but dated and tired looking. Moreover, it had that unmistakable reek of old tobacco that suggested "no smoking" was taken with a pinch of salt or refurbishment was long overdue.
There is a restaurant out front, with a decidedly canteen-like ambience and an unremarkable menu. It is plonked in the mid of the bustle of the bar and reception desk, so there isn't much peace or quiet. The fact that not one solitary table in the place failed to rock was another irritation. It doesn't cost the earth not to have see-sawing tables, as opposed to having to improvide with folded coasters to correct the thing.
I suppose our negative take on it was coloured by the fact that it was the last night of our honeymoon, and romance and the Grand Mellis are at opposite ends of the compass, but it is a 2-star business hotel at best. Even then you'll be discussing your affairs in a fairly open reception area, so privacy is a non-starter. At least in that respect it is quite central, just off of Avenue de L'Indpendance, so that is a redeeming feature. Breakfast is a boring buffet affair with a mix of low grade luncheon, chewy pastries and tar coffee. Sub-par for Madagascar, where the food is generally decent despite modest resources.
If you're on a budget and not fussed about cutting corners, it is a decent option, otherwise go elsewhere and treat yourself.