Saint-Benoit, Reunion
Chez Alice
📍 1, Rue Sanglier, Saint-Benoit
Your stay — Chez Alice
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Saint-Benoit.
The Property — Chez Alice
Chez Alice is a modest three-star guesthouse on the edge of Saint-Benoît, with a small tropical garden and a covered terrace where breakfast is served. The lobby feels like a family-run stopover: wooden reception desk, local art on the walls, and a noticeboard pinned with hiking maps. It suits independent travellers who want a functional, clean base for exploring the east coast waterfalls and the Cirque de Salazie. USP is the location — just off the N2, minutes from the coast road and the market.
Chronicles of Saint-Benoit
Saint-Benoît was founded in the 18th century as a colonial agricultural hub, centred on sugar cane, coffee and vanilla plantations worked by enslaved people and later indentured labourers from India, China and Madagascar. Its architecture mixes Creole-style wooden houses with galvanised roofs and a few restored colonial villas, notably the Maison de la Vanille. The town suffered damage in the 1979 cyclone and modern development has been low-rise and functional. Today it is the economic centre of the island’s east, with a lively covered market and a multicultural identity shaped by Réunion’s Creole, Tamil and African heritage.
Best Time to Visit
Full Saint-Benoit guide →Best months
June to September: austral winter, dry and mild, with daytime highs around 24–27°C and low humidity; trails are open and cyclones are rare.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: European winter holidays drive up arrivals; hotel prices rise 20–30% above average. The Fête de la Mer in August brings beach events and food stalls along the east coast.
Budget shoulder season
October and November: weather stays dry but crowds thin, hotel rates drop by about 15%, and the island’s vegetation is still lush post-winter.
Weather & packing
The east coast has a microclimate where sea breezes meet the mountains, so a sudden rain shower is common even in the dry season. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and a mid-layer for the cooler uplands, plus sandals for beach walks.
Live City Briefing — Saint-Benoit
- Saint-Benoît market (marché couvert) is now open daily from 7am, with a big weekend produce and handicraft section on Saturdays. (June 2025).
- The RN2 coastal road has completed its landslide repairs near the Ravine des Roches, so the drive to Saint-Denis takes about 35 minutes — delays are over. (April 2026).
- Cyclone season officially runs December to April; June is safe, but check for rough swell warnings if you plan coastal hikes or boat trips.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Chez Alice, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room at the rear of the first floor, overlooking the garden or car park rather than Rue Sanglier. There is no lift, so a room near the stair top minimises stair climbing.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room facing Rue Sanglier at the front: street noise from traffic and local bars can carry, especially on weekend evenings.
Best views
Rooms at the rear offer a garden view and are quieter. Front rooms face Rue Sanglier, a residential road with some local traffic.
Quietest floors
All rooms are on the first floor (no upper floors) with no lift; quietest are those set back from the road.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Rue Sanglier, especially early morning and late evening. Occasional noise from the free parking area (first-come, six spaces below rooms). No lift or service elevator noise.
Insider tips
Arrive early to secure one of the six free on-site spaces; otherwise the nearby Plage de Saint-Benoit car park costs €3/night. If you have heavy luggage, request a room near the stair top to minimise stairs.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Chez Alice
Free WiFi throughout; ~15 Mbps download, fair for browsing/email; login via room number on portal.
No lift; all rooms on first floor accessed by stairs only.
No printed papers; free access to PressReader with app from reception code.
Check-in 14:00–22:00 (weekdays), 14:00–20:00 (weekends). Early bag drop from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 for €30, subject to availability.
Free of charge in locked luggage room; no time limit.
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance. No lift or wheelchair-adapted rooms. Ground-floor common areas only.
On-site free parking for 6 cars (first-come). Nearby public car park Plage de Saint-Benoit costs €3/night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €0.77 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Requires full stay prepayment at booking; €100 card hold at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Saint-Henri (220 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Maison Morange — 150 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
La Banque Postale — 122 m · ~2 min walk
KôTé SanTé — 57 m · ~1 min walk
Epicerie Nouvelle Chez Roger — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Ancien téléphérique forestier — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Roland Garros Airport where rates are poor.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in shops and restaurants; contactless common under €50; AMEX rarely accepted.
Not expected; rounding up the bill or leaving small change in restaurants is appreciated but not required. Taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard espresso at a café is around €1.50 to €2.
A set lunch menu (plat du jour) at a simple brasserie or takeaway sandwich shop is €8–12.
A main course at a casual restaurant (e.g., pizza or local curry) costs about €12–16.
Look for samoussas, bouchons, or bonbon piment sold at local markets or from small kiosks in Saint-Benoît centre – typically €1–3 each.
Super U, Leader Price, and Spar are common budget supermarkets in the area.
For cheap clothes, try the market in Saint-Benoît centre or chain stores like Kiabi or Tati at a nearby shopping centre.
The cheapest way around is by bus (Cars Jaunes) – a single ride is about €2, day pass around €5. From the airport, take the bus line 24/35 to Saint-Benoît for about €2 one-way.
1. Buy food from markets and supermarkets rather than tourist-focused shops. 2. Use local buses instead of taxis. 3. Avoid bottled water – tap water is safe to drink here.
Emergency Contacts
Saint-BenoitWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Saint-Benoit, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Chez Alice
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · La Banque Postale — 122 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · KôTé SanTé — 57 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
La Mandoze → Saint-Benoit town centre
💡 The bus stop 'La Mandoze' is 200m from the hotel. Buses run less after 15:00; check the orange timetable at the shelter.
Gare de Saint-Denis (connect from airport via shuttle) → Gare de Saint-Benoit (near La Mandoze)
💡 From the airport take the free shuttle (bus 2) to Gare de Saint-Denis, then board Car Jaune line A. Buy tickets at the station — exact change only.
Roland Garros Airport (RUN) → La Mandoze hotel, Saint-Benoit
💡 Fix the fare before you get in. Taxis from the rank are metered but flat rates apply to Saint-Benoit — confirm €60-70.
Gare de Saint-Benoit bus stop → La Mandoze hotel
💡 The walk from the bus station to La Mandoze is only 15 minutes downhill. Only grab a taxi if you have heavy luggage.
About Saint-Benoit
Wikipedia ↗
Saint-Benoît (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃ bənwa] ) is a commune in the French overseas department of Réunion, in the Indian Ocean. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Réunion, about 40 kilometres southeast of Saint-Denis, the capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Chez Alice?
Request a room at the rear of the first floor, overlooking the garden or car park rather than Rue Sanglier. There is no lift, so a room near the stair top minimises stair climbing.
Which rooms should I avoid at Chez Alice?
Avoid any room facing Rue Sanglier at the front: street noise from traffic and local bars can carry, especially on weekend evenings.
Is Chez Alice noisy?
Street noise from Rue Sanglier, especially early morning and late evening. Occasional noise from the free parking area (first-come, six spaces below rooms). No lift or service elevator noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Chez Alice?
Rooms at the rear offer a garden view and are quieter. Front rooms face Rue Sanglier, a residential road with some local traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Chez Alice?
Arrive early to secure one of the six free on-site spaces; otherwise the nearby Plage de Saint-Benoit car park costs €3/night. If you have heavy luggage, request a room near the stair top to minimise stairs.
What time is check-in at Chez Alice?
Check-in at Chez Alice is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Chez Alice have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; ~15 Mbps download, fair for browsing/email; login via room number on portal.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Chez Alice?
€0.77 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Chez Alice?
A set lunch menu (plat du jour) at a simple brasserie or takeaway sandwich shop is €8–12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Chez Alice?
The cheapest way around is by bus (Cars Jaunes) – a single ride is about €2, day pass around €5. From the airport, take the bus line 24/35 to Saint-Benoît for about €2 one-way.
When is the best time to visit Saint-Benoit?
June to September: austral winter, dry and mild, with daytime highs around 24–27°C and low humidity; trails are open and cyclones are rare.
Top Attractions in Saint-Benoit
💡 Check for Sunday mass at 9am if you want to hear the Creole hymns. The interior is most impressive in late afternoon when sunlight streams through the coloured glass.
💡 Come on Saturday morning for the biggest selection. Bring cash—many vendors don't take cards. Try the lychees if they're in season.
💡 Go early in the morning to see the local birdlife and avoid the midday heat. Bring your own snacks as there are no cafes inside.
💡 Wear closed shoes—the path can be rocky. No water sources, so carry your own. Best done in the dry season (May to October) to avoid slippery sections.
💡 Visit at sunset for the best photos and to spot flying foxes (fruit bats) coming out at dusk. Bring a windbreaker as it gets breezy.