Onyx Travel Réunion

ONYX TRAVEL

tel 0118 947 2830 e-mail us

Home Guadeloupe Martinique Réunion Mauritius

Holiday Information Company Information Booking Conditions

Le Barachois With over 40% of its land mass designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Réunion is a truly remarkable island. Although situated in the Indian Ocean just next door to Mauritius, it is actually an overseas département of France. There are some excellent beaches and the scenery inland is staggeringly beautiful.

There is an active volcano to explore, mountains which often disappear into the clouds as the day progresses and some amazing waterfalls. The three mountain ‘cirques’ of Salazie, Cilaos and Mafate are absolute musts. No photograph can really do justice to Réunion as the scale of the scenery is simply too vast.

A self-drive itinerary is the best way to explore although some of the mountain roads are particularly challenging. Nervous drivers are strongly recommended to stay at a beach resort and take organised tours into the mountains (all of which may be pre-booked).

If there is anywhere you would like to stay or anything you would like to do in Réunion which is not featured below, please ask, as we can usually help. For example, for fit, experienced walkers, we can also arrange mountain trekking, staying overnight in mountain gites (dormitory-style accommodation).

Réunion is a walkers’ paradise. For walkers who prefer the overnight comfort of a hotel, we are always happy to advise on where best to stay.

Accommodation may be booked with or without air travel. Contact us for expert and friendly advice on planning your itinerary.

Réunion

Le Barachois, Saint-Denis

ACCOMMODATION

We feature below a selection of properties which we can personally recommend. All rooms have bath/WC or shower/WC - only additional facilities are listed. We have added our own impressions to help give you a feel of the accommodation. Please click on the links below to go straight to hotels in the listed areas.

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains	Hell-Bourg	Cilaos
Bourg-Murat	Saint-Leu and the South	Saint-Denis

Lux* Saint Gilles - 5 star - La Saline-les-Bains

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, safe, hairdryer, minibar, balcony or terrace

Hotel: bar, 3 restaurants, swimming pool, fitness centre, shops, tennis courts, table tennis, volley ball, bike rental, watersports

One of the best hotels on Réunion, Lux* Saint Gilles has 174 rooms in 23 villas, spread over a vast area of lush estate beside the Hermitage beach and lagoon. It has an enormous swimming pool.

Le Saint Alexis - 4 star - Boucan Canot

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning and fan, safe, jacuzzi, minibar

Hotel: lounge, bar, restaurant, swimming pool with jacuzzi, fitness centre with sauna and steam bath, spa with 6 treatment rooms, watersports available nearby

Special Offers: Reductions for early bookings and honeymooners. Free nights at certain times of the year. Please ask for details.

This hotel of 60 rooms and suites has the unique feature of a swimming pool which links the centre of the hotel with the restaurant at the edge of the beach by means of wide channels. Several of the ground floor rooms have direct access to the pool. Le Saint Alexis is elegant and the rooms spacious. It is one of the best hotels on Réunion and situated on one of the best beaches.

Le Boucan Canot - 4 star - Boucan Canot

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, safe, hairdryer, minibar, balcony or terrace

Hotel: bar, restaurant, swimming pool

Special Offers: Reductions for honeymooners at certain times of the year. Please ask for details.

A smaller 4 star hotel, situated on one of the best beaches. 48 rooms, almost all of which face the ocean.

Le Nautile - 3 star - La Saline-les-Bains

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, safe, hairdryer, minibar, balcony or terrace

Hotel: lounge, bar, restaurant, swimming pool

Special Offers: Early booking discount and free nights at certain times of the year. Please ask for details.

Le Nautile is situated directly on Hermitage beach with its white coral sand, beside the lagoon in the quiet and residential village of La Saline-les-Bains, a short drive away from the main centre of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. All 43 rooms are housed in two charming Créole style buildings, which are divided by a good sized swimming pool.

Relais de l’Hermitage - 3 star - L’Hermitage-les-Bains

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, safe, hairdryer, minibar. All rooms face mountains or gardens, most having balcony or terrace.

Hotel: bar, snack bar, restaurant, 2 swimming pools, tennis courts, table tennis, volleyball. Watersports nearby.

Special Offers: Reductions for honeymooners. Free nights at certain times of year. Please ask for details.

Situated on the beach beside the Hermitage lagoon, the Relais de l’Hermitage has 173 comfortable rooms set within seven acres of pleasant gardens. The hotel has more of an international feel to it than some of the smaller properties, but offers a wide range of facilities.

Les Créoles - 3 star - L’Hermitage-les-Bains

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, hairdryer, balcony or terrace. Also studios and duplexes with kitchenette.

Hotel: bar (until 21.00 hrs only), swimming pool, fitness room

Special Offers: Reductions for honeymooners and free nights at certain times of the year.

Les Créoles is a charming hotel of 44 rooms set within 9 villas, all of which face the central swimming pool. The rooms are a good size with pleasant decor. Hermitage beach is just 100 metres from the hotel across a small road.

Résidence Tropic - 3 star - L’Hermitage-les-Bains

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, kitchenette, balcony or terrace

Hotel: reception, small swimming pool

100 metres from the beach, the 40 studios and duplexes are all nicely furnished. Ideal for those of an independent nature who wish to self-cater or to experience local restaurants.

Hotel Alamanda - 2 star - L’Hermitage-les-Bains

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, safe

Hotel: bar, restaurant, swimming pool, shop

Special Offers: Reductions for honeymooners and free nights at certain times of year. Please ask for details.

An excellent value for money hotel with 70 rooms. The rooms are small but nicely decorated. The whole hotel has a friendly, cosy atmosphere. Hermitage beach is just a short walk from the hotel.

Hell-Bourg

This is a picturesque village situated high in the mountains in the cirque of Salazie with some stunning views. Many walks and mountain treks start from here. Among the more easily visited sights here is Maison Folio, a traditional Créole house and garden built in the 19th century, lovingly restored and cared for. For those with just a short time here, there is a very pleasant walk among bamboo trees to Les Anciens Thermes, the ruins of an old thermal spa which was originally built in 1852. It is a lovely spot for a picnic.

Relais des Cimes - 2 star

Rooms: telephone, TV, hairdryer

Hotel: bar, restaurant

29 rooms, some across the road from the main building. Situated in the picturesque village centre close to the shops. Excellent restaurant.

Les Jardins d’Héva - 2 star

Rooms: telephone

Hotel: bar, restaurant, shop

10 rooms, decorated in individual themes. There is a wonderful view from the restaurant/breakfast room. A short walk up a steep hill from the village centre.

Relais des Gouverneurs

Hotel: restaurant

12 simple rooms, no telephones, no TV’s. Situated close to the shops, a short walk away from the village centre.

Cilaos

This is a quite unique town, situated high in the mountains and surrounded by them on all sides. It is hard to imagine how such an isolated spot ever became inhabited. This is partly explained by it being a spa town, to which visitors originally flocked to take the waters. The scenery is spectacular throughout the drive from the coast and it is an essential place to visit for anyone spending a holiday on Réunion. Be warned however, the drive is not for the faint-hearted. It is said that there are over 400 bends in the road, many of them hairpins which are both tight and steep. If you are at all a nervous driver, take an organised tour to Cilaos!

Le Cilaos - 4 star

Rooms: telephone, TV, hairdryer, minibar

Hotel: lounge/library, bar, restaurant, swimming pool, sauna, spa

Le Cilaos is the most upmarket hotel in Cilaos. It is situated a little further from the main shopping area than the other hotels but still within easy walking distance. The 46 rooms are beautifully decorated, some in bright colours.

Le Tsilaosa - 4 star

Rooms: telephone, TV, hairdryer, minibar

Hotel: lounge, breakfast / tea room

A lovely créole-style hotel situated in the main street of Cilaos. Just 15 stylishly decorated rooms. The tea room, which is open all day, is something of a local institution.

Le Vieux Cep - 3 star

Rooms: telephone, TV, terrace or balcony

Hotel: bar, restaurant, breakfast room, swimming pool

Most of the 44 rooms have a splendid view of the surrounding mountains. The hotel is situated in the heart of Cilaos, close to the shops.

Bourg-Murat

This is the place to stay if you want to see the volcano. The Volcano Museum (Cité du Volcan) is in the centre of the village, but it is a further 45 minute scenic drive to reach the volcano itself, travelling on the way across the lunar landscape of the Plaine des Sables. It is possible to walk to the summit of the volcano, which is a 5/6 hour return trip from the car park, best undertaken in the early morning before the clouds descend.

Les Géraniums - 3 star

Rooms: telephone, TV

Hotel: lounge, bar, restaurant, swimming pool
This small hotel of just 22 rooms is well-known locally for the quality of its food. From the restaurant and some of the rooms there is a wonderful panoramic view of the mountains, including the Piton des Neiges, the highest point on the island.

L’Ecrin - 2 star

Rooms: telephone, TV

Hotel: bar, restaurant

This hotel offers just 21 rooms. It is 150 metres from the Cité du Volcan. The mountains can be seen from the grounds. The restaurant serves both French and Créole cuisine.

Saint-Leu and the South

Saint-Leu is home to the Turtle Centre (Kélonia). Saint-Pierre is the second largest town in Réunion and many say it has more to offer than its larger rival, Saint-Denis, especially with its golden beach. This is the gateway to the Wild South of the island where you will find rough seas and tall black cliffs, pretty Créole houses in lush gardens and vast lava flows either side of the main coast road. The area is well situated for day trips up into the mountains or to the volcano.

Palm Hotel & Spa - 5 star - Grand’ Anse

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, safe, hairdryer, minibar, balcony or terrace

Hotel: bar, 2 restaurants, 2 swimming pools, spa, shop

Special Offers: Reductions for honeymooners. Free nights at certain times of year. Please ask for details.

Situated high above the beautiful beach of Grand’ Anse, this luxurious hotel has 65 rooms and a spa with private treatment rooms, hammam and jacuzzi. A shuttle service operates to the beach.

Blue Margouillat - 5 star - Saint-Leu

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, safe, hairdryer, minibar, balcony or terrace

Hotel: bar, restaurant, swimming pool, lounge/library

With just 12 rooms and 2 suites, this delightful, intimate hotel is ideal for couples. The restaurant, which overlooks the ocean, is highly recommended and we suggest accommodation on a half board basis. All rooms are sea-facing. The beach is 300 metres downhill from the hotel. Member of Relais et Châteaux.

Saint-Denis

Saint-Denis is the capital city of Réunion. Many buildings and Créole houses date back to colonial times and the shops which line the city-centre streets reflect the customs and traditions of three continents. At the Western end of the waterfront lies Le Barachois, where, in the early evening, the crowds gather to eat, drink or simply watch the sunset.

Hotel Bellepierre - 4 star - city heights

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, safe, hairdryer, minibar

Hotel: bar, restaurant, swimming pool, lounge area

Situated in a residential area in the heights of the city, in our opinion this is the best hotel in Saint-Denis. There is a beautiful view out over the ocean. Most of the 85 elegant rooms are spread over 6 levels in an elliptical shaped building.

Le Juliette Dodu - 3 star - city centre - close to waterfront

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning, hairdryer

Hotel: lounge, bar, breakfast room/small restaurant, small swimming pool

This Créole style house, the birthplace of the French heroine Juliette Dodu, dates from the time of the East India Company. The building has been tastefully renovated and each of the 43 cosy rooms has pleasantly colourful decor.

Central Hotel - 2 star - city centre

Rooms: telephone, TV, air conditioning

Hotel: breakfast room

This tourist class hotel has 57 rooms and is situated in the centre of the shopping area. Short walk to the Barachois. For those on a budget it provides excellent value.

PRE-BOOKABLE EXCURSIONS

There are many excursions available on Réunion, most of which may be booked in advance. Excursions may only operate on one day per week and are subject to change. If there is a tour which you particularly want to book, you are advised to confirm the day of operation when booking your holiday. The following are a selection of the more popular tours. Prices on request.

Salazie

The East of the island with its waterfalls and a visit to the Vanilla factory

Cilaos

Spectacular scenery and a town situated high in the mountains

Helicopter

Flights over the island (daily)

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

We specialise in tailor-made itineraries and will be pleased to provide a quotation for any arrangements from accommodation only to a fully inclusive air tour. Below are a few suggested itineraries, which we hope will give you some ideas for your own trip. Should you wish to combine your visit to Réunion with a visit to Mauritius, we should be happy to assist. Please do not hesitate to telephone us if you need any help or suggestions in planning your arrangements.

R1	7 nights 3 star Réunion from £1395
	7 nights	Les Créoles, L’Hermitage-les-Bains	RO
	Overnight flights London-Mauritius-Réunion and return with Air Mauritius. Airport transfers included.

R2	10 nights 2 and 3 star Réunion from £1940
	1 night	Hotel Central, St-Denis	BB
	2 nights	Les Géraniums, Bourg-Murat	BB
	3 nights	Le Vieux Cep, Cilaos	BB
	4 nights	Le Nautile, La Saline-les-Bains	BB
	Overnight flights London-Mauritius-Réunion and return with Air Mauritius. Car hire for 7 days (Renault Twingo or similar) including unlimited mileage. Airport transfers included.

R3	12 nights 2, 3, 4 and 5 star Réunion from £2195
	1 night	Hotel Bellepierre, St-Denis	BB
	2 nights	Relais des Cimes, Hell-Bourg	BB
	2 nights	Les Géraniums, Bourg-Murat	BB
	3 nights	Le Cilaos, Cilaos	BB
	4 nights	Blue Margouillat, St-Leu	BB
	Overnight flights London-Mauritius-Réunion and return with Air Mauritius. Car hire for 12 days (Renault Twingo or similar) including unlimited mileage. Airport transfer on arrival.

R4	14 nights 2, 3 and 4 star Réunion from £2315
	1 night	Le Juliette Dodu, St-Denis	BB
	2 nights	L’Ecrin, Bourg-Murat	BB
	3 nights	Le Cilaos, Cilaos	BB
	8 nights	Le Saint Alexis, Boucan Canot	BB
	Overnight flights London-Mauritius-Réunion and return with Air Mauritius. Car hire for 9 days (Renault Twingo or similar) including unlimited mileage. Airport transfers included.

	The number of nights shown excludes nights on flights to and from the UK.

Prices	Tour prices are subject to rate fluctuation during the year but, generally speaking, the months of January-June and September are cheaper. Prices are subject to availability.

Flights	International flights are on Air Mauritius. Aircraft type will be advised with travel documents. Flying time to Réunion (via Mauritius) is ca. 13 hours. Flights on Air France via Paris are also available from London Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester at a supplement. At a further small supplement, flights via Paris are also available from Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Prices include …………………	Economy class scheduled flights on Air Mauritius, airport taxes, passenger service charges, accommodation sharing a twin room in hotels. Meals, transfers and car hire as per itineraries. Baggage allowance on international flights with Air Mauritius is 1 piece, which must not exceed 23 kgs.

Not included	Travel insurance, items of personal expense e.g. drinks, porterage, telephone calls, gratuities and excursions.

PRICES

Charges may apply for some activities/watersports. Additional charges may apply for the period over Christmas and New Year. Price bands relate to low and high season. For coding key, see below.

Réunion
		Low	High			Low	High
Lux* Saint Gilles	BB	G	H	Le Cilaos	BB	D	D
Le Saint Alexis	BB	G	G	Le Tsilaosa	BB	D	F
Le Boucan Canot	RO	F	G	Le Vieux Cep	BB	D	E
Le Nautile	BB	F	F	Les Géraniums	BB	C	D
Relais de l’Hermitage	BB	D	G	L’Ecrin	BB	B	B
Les Créoles	RO	A	C	Palm Hotel & Spa	BB	G	H
Résidence Tropic	RO	A	B	Blue Margouillat	BB	G	H
Hotel Alamanda	BB	C	C	Le Dimitile	BB	E	F
Relais des Cimes	BB	A	B	Hotel Bellepierre	BB	F	F
Les Jardins d’Héva	BB	C	C	Le Juliette Dodu	BB	E	E
Relais des Gouverneurs	BB	D	D	Hotel Central	BB	B	B

ACCOMMODATION PRICE BANDS

Bands are based on prices per person per night in a twin room. Please note that these are subject to variation throughout the year and are intended as a guideline only. Please check at the time of booking for current prices. Many hotels are also available on half board. Prices on request.

Volcano

Visit to the museum and the volcano, one of the more accessible active volcanoes in the world

Maïdo and Saint-Paul

The cirque of Mafate, Saint-Paul and its colourful market

Big game fishing

Half day

Up to £40	A		£41-£45	B
£46-£55	C		£56-£65	D
£66-£75	E		£76-£95	F
£96-£145	G		Over £145	H
RO - room only		BB - bed and breakfast

Mauritius & Réunion two-centre holidays also available

excursions suggested itineraries prices

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains area

Most visitors to Réunion spend time here, many making this their base from which to visit the rest of the island. Some of the best beaches are to be found in this area and many of the hotels are directly adjacent to them. Saint-Gilles itself is a small but busy little town, well worth a visit. To the South of the town lies Hermitage beach where the reef lies a distance away from the beach, forming the calmer waters of the lagoon. Sometimes spectacular waves can be seen crashing onto the reef.

Le Dimitile - 4 star - Entre-Deux

Rooms: telephone, TV, safe, hairdryer, fridge, balcony or terrace

Hotel: bar, restaurant, swimming pool

Situated between the coast and the mountains, 400 metres above sea level in a picturesque village, this friendly hotel has just 18 rooms. Originally a 19th century Créole house, Le Dimitile is within reach of the mountain from which it takes its name and is just 15 minutes drive from the coastal town of Saint-Pierre.