Upmarket
A Hotel le Récif *** (146 rooms) 50 Av de Bourbon, L’Hermitage; % 0262 700100; f 0262 700107; e reservation[at]luxislandresorts.com; hotellerecif.com. This hotel underwent a transformation in 2004 & is now a very attractive option. The rooms & suites, including 4 rooms for the disabled, are housed in 17 2-storey Creole-style buildings scattered in a large garden. Rooms have AC, TV, phone, safe, minibar & balcony/terrace. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, 2 pools, tennis & kids’ club. A family-friendly hotel with an emphasis on activities. In a great location, opposite L’Hermitage Beach. $$$$
A Le Boucan Canot **** (50 rooms) 32 Rue Boucan Canot, Boucan Canot; % 0262 334444; f 0262 334445; e hotel[at]boucancanot.com; boucancanot.com. An attractive blue & white Creole-style building in a good location with direct access to Boucan Canot Beach. The rooms & suites are modern & equipped with AC, TV, phone, Wi-Fi, minibar, safe & balcony. 2 rooms are equipped for the disabled. Facilities include a restaurant overlooking the sea, pool & regular evening entertainment. $$$$
A Le Saint Alexis **** (60 rooms) 44 Route de Boucan Canot, St-Gilles-Les-Bains; % 0262 244204; f 0262 240013; e reception[at]hotelsaintalexis.com; hotelsaintalexis.com. This hotel on the beach at Boucan Canot was extensively refurbished in 2002. All rooms & suites have AC, TV, phone, safe, spa bath, minibar & balcony/terrace. There are 2 pools, a sauna, a gym & a restaurant. $$$$
A Lux Ile de la Réunion ***** (174 rooms) 28 Rue du Lagon, L’Hermitage, St-Gilles-les-Bains; % 0262 700000; f 0262 700007; e reservation[at]luxislandresorts.com; luxislandresorts.com. Deservedly considered the most upmarket hotel on the island. It is a resort-style hotel set in gardens that run along the beach. The 23 bungalows house well-maintained rooms, including 4 with disabled facilities & 8 suites. As you’d expect, all have AC, TV, phone, minibar & safe. Plenty of activities: tennis, badminton, gym & some watersports. There are 3 restaurants, including a very good Creole restaurant on the beach, where they cook over a wood fire. Also a pool & a kids’ club. The large gardens provide a feeling of space & it fronts one of the island’s best beaches. $$$$
Mid range
A Alamanda Hotel ** (58 rooms) 81 Av de Bourbon, L’Hermitage; % 0262 331010; f 0262 240242; e alamanda.hotel[at]alamanda.fr; alamanda.fr. After a much-needed refurbishment, this 2-star option is now pretty good value. The hotel is close to the casino & nightlife, & 5mins’ walk from the beach. En-suite rooms with AC, TV, phone & balcony/terrace overlook either the pool or small garden. It has a good restaurant, bar, gym & pool. The rooms are small but clean & modern, & it is well located. Free Wi-Fi & access to a nearby fitness centre. $$$
A Hotel Blue Beach *** (46 rooms) 40 Av de la Mer, Les Filaos, L’Hermitage; % 0262 245025; f 0262 243622; e reservation[at]hotelbluebeach.fr; hotelbluebeach.fr. Family-friendly hotel 150m from the beach. Rooms are in a 2-storey building & overlook the pool, garden or car park. They are equipped with AC, TV, phone, Wi-Fi, minibar & balcony/terrace. Standard rooms are on the small side but junior suites are ideal for families as they have a living area with sofa bed, a kitchenette & 2 bathrooms. The hotel was renovated recently & has a clean, modern feel. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, car park & pool, which feels rather overlooked by the rooms bunched around it. $$$
A Hotel Résidence les Créoles *** (10 rooms, 22 studios, 10 apts) 43 Av de Bourbon, St-Gilles-les-Bains; % 0262 265265; f 0262 266266; hotellescreoles.com. This recently renovated hotel is around 150m from the beach, amidst the bars, clubs & restaurants of L’Hermitage. Accommodation feels fresh & new & is equipped with AC, TV, phone, minibar, internet access. The studios & apartments have a well-equipped kitchenette. The buildings are attractive & grouped around a pool. The restaurant only serves breakfast (€12/8 per adult/child) but there are restaurants within walking distance. Reasonable value. $$$
A Le Nautile *** (43 rooms) 60 Rue Lacaussade, La-Saline-les-Bains; % 0262 338888; f 0262 338889; e nautile[at]runnet.com; hotel-nautile.com. Pretty hotel on the beach. The nicely decorated rooms have AC, TV, phone, Wi-Fi, minibar, safe & balcony/terrace. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, library & pool. Regular evening entertainment. Several of the staff speak English. $$$
A Le Novotel St-Gilles *** (173 rooms) 123 Av Leconte de Lisle, L’Hermitage; % 0262 244444; f 0262 240167; e H0462[at]accor.com; accor.com. Sprawling hotel spread through a 3ha garden with direct access to the beach. Rooms have views of either the mountains (& car park) or the pool. All have AC, TV, phone, safe & minibar, & most have balcony/terrace. 5 rooms have disabled facilities. It’s a busy hotel, where everyone seems to take advantage of the activities – pool, tennis courts, mini golf, kayaks, pedaloes & snorkelling equipment. There’s a family atmosphere, but the kids’ club operates only during French school holidays. $$$
A Le Swalibo *** (30 rooms) 9 Rue des Salines, La-Saline-les-Bains; % 0262 241097; f 0262 246429; e info[at]swalibo.com; swalibo.com. A charming small hotel, 5mins’ walk from the beach. Rooms are bright, colourful & spacious with AC, TV, phone, minibar, safe & balcony. Not much privacy – the balconies & small garden are overlooked by other rooms. Facilities include a restaurant, pool & jacuzzi. Beach umbrellas, kayaks & snorkelling gear are available. $$$
Budget
A L’Archipel *** (64 studios & apts) 9 Rue de la Cheminée, Grand Fond, St-Gilles-les-Bains; % 0262 240534; f 0262 244724; e reservation[at]archipel-residence.com; archipel-residence.com. On the road to St-Gilles-les-Hauts, but there is a free shuttle service to the beaches & St-Gilles-les-Bains town centre. There are 52 studios for up to 3 people & 12 apartments for up to 5 people, including 2 with disabled facilities. They are equipped with AC, TV, phone, minibar & balcony/terrace. There is a pleasant pool, snack bar & tennis. Breakfast is available but there is no restaurant for evening meals & the free shuttle to the coast stops at 17.00. $$
A La Villa du Soleil ** (12 rooms) 54 Route Nationale, Plage de Boucan Canot; % 0262 243869; e lavilladusoleil[at]wanadoo.fr; lavilladusoleil.com. A small hotel with simple, colourful en-suite rooms equipped with AC, TV & Wi-Fi. $$
A Le Saint Michel ** (15 rooms) 196 Chemin Summer, St-Gilles-les-Bains; % 0262 331333; f 0262 331338; e st-michel.hotel[at]wanadoo.fr. A small, hotel 5mins from the beach. En-suite rooms with AC, TV, phone & balcony/terrace. There is a restaurant & a pool. $$
A Les Bougainvilliers ** (14 rooms) 27 Ruelle des Bougainvilliers, L’Hermitage; % 0262 338248; e bougainvilliers[at]wanadoo.fr; bougainvillier.com. Around 300m from L’Hermitage Beach. Rooms are comfortable & fresh, with en suite, AC, TV & fridge. A room with a balcony costs around an extra €10 per night. There is a pool in the garden & a communal kitchen but no restaurant. Free Wi-Fi. Reasonable value for money. $$
A Les Filaos ** (27 studios, 17 rooms) 101 Av de Bourbon, St-Gilles-les-Bains; % 0262 245009; f 0262 242809; e les-filaos[at]wanadoo.fr; hotelfilaos.com. Unfortunately next to a busy road with a nightclub & supermarket in front of it but only a short walk from the beach. Small, simply furnished en-suite rooms with AC, TV, phone, & balcony/terrace; studios have a kitchenette. Rooms with disabled facilities are available. It has a bar & pool. $$
A Les Palmes ** (21 apts) 205 Rue du Générale de Gaulle, St-Gilles-les-Bains; % 0262 244712; f 0262 243062; e soresum[at]wanadoo.fr; hoteldespalmes.fr. The accommodation is in bungalows in a tropical garden, 200m from the beach. Rooms are basic & a little tired, equipped with en suite, AC, TV & phone. There is a pool. There are better value options around. $$
A Marina ** (10 apts) 6 Allée des Pailles en Queues, Lot Champagne, St-Gilles-les-Bains; % 0262 330707; f 0262 330700; e hotelmarina[at]wanadoo.fr; hotelmarinareunion.com. Rather plain self-catering studios in pretty gardens 200m from Boucan Canot Beach. Close to shops & public transport. Studios are equipped with TV, AC & phone. $$
A Tropic Appart’Hotel *** (40 studios & apts) 102 Av de Bourbon, L’Hermitage; % 0262 225353; f 0262 225656; e info[at]residencetropic.com; residencetropic.com. Comfortable self-catering accommodation 5mins’ walk from L’Hermitage Beach. The studios & apartments are have AC, TV, phone, safe & internet (payable). The apartments accommodate up to 4 people. There is a decent pool & car park. $$
A Villa des Songes ** (12 rooms) 28 Rue Joseph Hubert, St-Gilles-les-Hauts; % 0262 220336; f 0262 550637; e villa.songes[at]wanadoo.fr. Elegant accommodation in a renovated Creole home on the hillside above St-Gilles. The rooms are beautifully decorated & equipped with all mod cons: en suite, AC, TV, phone, safe & internet access. There is a delightful restaurant serving Creole & French food & a hammam (payable). It is about 6km from the seafront, so you will need a car. $$
Unclassified accommodation
Shoestring
A Hotel de la Plage (9 rooms) 20 Rue de la Poste, St-Gilles-les-Bains; % 0262 240637; f 0262 332005. Budget accommodation 100m from Roches Noires Beach. Small, basic rooms, some with AC. En-suite dbl with TV from €45, dbl with shared bathroom from €29, sgl with fan from €26. All rates BB. $
A Le Vacoa (16 rooms) 54 Rue Antoine de Bertin, L’Hermitage; % 0262 241248; f 0262 246710; e levacoa[at]levacoa.com; levacoa.com. Simple, family-run guesthouse 300m from the beach. Rooms are comfortable & clean with en suite, AC, TV & fridge. There is a communal kitchen for guest use & a pool. Wi-Fi is available. $
Self-catering holiday rentals This area has plenty of apartments and villas to let to holidaymakers, many of which represent excellent value for money. Here is a selection:
A At Paul & Virginie’s ** Apt 8, Résidence Diane, Rue St-Alexis, St-Gilles-les-Bains; %/f 0262 294856; e alonabox[at]wanadoo.fr. Simply furnished 1-bedroom apartment in the town centre. Apt from €360 per week (2 people).
A Les Gîtes de Boucan Canot **** 255 Chemin de la Vanille, Boucan Canot; % 0692 651391; e lesgitesdeboucancanot[at]orange.fr; lesgitesdeboucancanot.com. 8 spacious 2-bedroom & 1-bedroom wooden cabins with everything you need for a self-catering stay, including dishwasher, washing machine, Wi-Fi & satellite TV. Each has a decent-sized terrace & garden. The cabins are well spread throughout the gardens, so you have some privacy. 2 are suitable for people with limited mobility. There are 2 pools on site & the beach is around 1km away. You will need a car here. Excellent self-catering option. From €500 per week (2 people), €905 per week (4 people).
A L’Ilot Vert *** (8 apts, 3 bungalows) 1 Rue des Salines, La-Saline-les-Bains; % 0262 339211; f 0262 339212; e jean-pierre.fouque[at]wanadoo.fr; a-l-ilot-vert.com. A few mins’ walk from the beach. Well-maintained, simply furnished apartments (2–6 people) around a small pool, all equipped with AC, TV & phone. There is a car park. Apt from €65 per night (2 people). B/fast from €8 pp.
A Résidence les Boucaniers ** (9 studios, 6 apts) 27 Rue du Boucan Canot, Boucan Canot; % 0262 242389; f 0262 244695; e les-boucaniers[at]wanadoo.fr; les-boucaniers.com. Across the road from Boucan Canot Beach, with AC, TV, & balcony/terrace. The accommodation is sea facing & rooms on the first floor have a good view of the coast. One room with disabled facilities is available. Clean & well situated but the kitchenettes are basic. Studio/4-person apt from €66/95.
A Senteur Vanille *** (8 units) Route du Théatre, St-Gilles-les-Bains; %/f 0262 240488; e senteurvanille[at]wanadoo.fr; senteurvanille.com. Slightly inland amidst a wealth of tropical plants, not far from Boucan Canot Beach. Accommodation is in Creole bungalows in the garden or elegant, elevated wooden chalets with a view of the ocean. All accommodation is beautifully furnished & invites relaxation. Good value for money. Studio from €80 per night for 2 people rising to €130 per night for 6 people. Chalet from €140 per night for 2 people, €158 per night for 4 people. All prices RO.
Villages Vacances Famille (VVF): family holiday villages You must be a member of VVF to stay here. For details, see Chapter 15, Accommodation, page 261.
A Village de Corail (129 s/c studios) 80 Av de Bourbon, 97434 St-Gilles-les-Bains; % 0262 242939; f 0262 244102; e contact[at]villages-des-australes.com; villages-des-australes.com. Each studio has kitchenette, dining area & terrace. Up to 2 extra beds can be added per studio. Studio from €52 RO (2 people).
Youth hostel One of the island’s three hostels is in the hills above St-Gilles, at Bernica near St-Gilles-les-Hauts (% 0262 228975). To stay there you must have a membership card. For details, see Chapter 15, Accommodation, page 261.
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