Photo: official website
Your stay — Datura
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The Property — Datura
Datura is a no-fuss three-star on the outskirts of Saint-Benoit, built around a sunny courtyard with a small pool and basic tropical gardens. The lobby feels like a clean, functional base for travellers who want to wake up and head straight into the Cirque de Salazie or the eastern coast’s waterfalls. It suits independent explorers, not luxury seekers: think linoleum floors, a helpful but modest reception, and a breakfast buffet of baguettes, jam and local fruit. The USP is location — you’re ten minutes from the coast and 30 minutes from Hell-Bourg, so it’s practical rather than pretty.
Chronicles of Saint-Benoit
Saint-Benoit was founded in the 18th century as a coffee and sugar port, later becoming the hub of Réunion’s vanilla trade. The town was rebuilt after a devastating 1895 cyclone, giving its centre a mix of colonial wooden houses and utilitarian concrete blocks. The ornate Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix church, completed in the 1930s, anchors the main place. Today, Saint-Benoit is a market town where Creole, Malay and French cultures meet, best seen in the Saturday market selling spices, chillies and locally grown pineapples. It’s less touristy than Saint-Denis, with a noticeably slower, more agricultural pace.
Best Time to Visit
Full Saint-Benoit guide →Best months
June, July, August — the austral winter brings dry days, clear skies and temperatures around 22°C, perfect for hiking the cirques without rain. The trade winds keep humidity low, and crowds are thin outside school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak month because of European summer holidays and Réunion’s school break. Hotels in Saint-Benoit can reach full occupancy, and prices at Datura may rise by 15-20%. The main driver is family travel to the coast and cirques, plus the Bastille Day festivities on 14 July with local parades and markets.
Budget shoulder season
September and October offer the best value: still dry but quieter, with hotel rates dropping by a third. Temperatures creep up to 24°C, and cyclones are rare before November. You’ll have trails and beaches to yourself.
Weather & packing
Saint-Benoit’s east-coast position makes it slightly rainier than the west, even in winter — expect sporadic showers that pass quickly. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sturdy walking sandals, and leave your umbrella at home; a hat and SPF 30 are essential for the sun that follows each shower.
Live City Briefing — Saint-Benoit
- The RN2 coastal road between Saint-Benoit and Sainte-Rose is undergoing resurfacing until late 2026, with single-lane sections and occasional 20-minute delays — allow extra time for the drive to the lava flow sites.
- The Vanille Market in central Saint-Benoit reopened in March 2026 after a renovation, with new covered stalls and a dedicated bio-produce section on Saturdays.
- Cyclone season officially ends in April, so July stays are safe, but the municipal beach at Bras-Creux has posted new rip-current warnings after a storm damaged the breakwater last year — check local flags before swimming.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Datura, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3-5 facing the side or rear of the hotel, away from the main road. Saint-Benoit is a coastal town with occasional traffic on Rue de la Marine, so higher floors reduce street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (floor 0 or 1) near the reception or street side—these get direct foot traffic and morning delivery noise. Also avoid rooms directly above the small lobby or near any lift shaft, as the lift is audible on lower floors.
Best views
The best view is from upper floors on the side facing east—you may glimpse the hills of Bras-Panon or the ocean in the distance. The front rooms overlook the busy street with few scenic rewards.
Quietest floors
Floors 3-5 are the quietest, as they are above street-level bustle and below any roof equipment.
🔊 Noise notes
Saint-Benoit has a lively market street nearby, so expect pre-dawn market activity and scooter traffic by 7am. The hotel's lift motor and ground-floor kitchen/breakfast area generate hum on lower levels.
Insider tips
1) Check-in early: the hotel has limited parking (only 6-8 spaces) in a small courtyard; arrive before 5pm to secure a spot. 2) Request a room on the east side for morning light and quieter sleep—west side gets afternoon sun and heat.
- 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 — Datura
Free WiFi available throughout the hotel; advertised speed 30 Mbps, suitable for streaming. No login credentials – just select the network and accept terms.
No lift; two-floor hotel with stairs only. No historic wings – just a modern low-rise building.
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical newspapers. The building is a modern purpose-built hotel (2005) with no notable heritage quirks.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed if room is not ready (no charge). Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged at 50% of nightly rate if available (must be requested by 10:00).
Free luggage storage available at reception whether before check-in or after check-out.
No step-free access; entrance has a 15 cm step and all rooms are up a flight of stairs. Not suitable for wheelchair users. No accessible rooms or bathroom adaptations.
Free on-site open parking (unsecured) on a first-come, first-served basis; about 8 spaces. Nearest public car park is the Place de la Mairie car park (100 m, 2 EUR for 2 hours, 6 EUR overnight). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1.07 EUR per adult per night, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: A 30% advance deposit charged on booking; at check-in a security hold of 100 EUR on a credit card for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Saint-Henri (242 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Maison Morange — 137 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
La Banque Postale — 251 m · ~3 min walk
KôTé SanTé — 240 m · ~3 min walk
Epicerie Nouvelle Chez Roger — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Ancien téléphérique forestier — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs at banks in Saint-Benoît for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges in Réunion as they offer poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, larger shops, and restaurants; contactless is common but smaller markets and street vendors prefer cash.
Not expected; round up for good service in restaurants (e.g., leave small change), and no tip for taxis or hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple espresso or filter coffee at a local café or bakery — around €2.
A sandwich or plat du jour at a café — about €8 to €12.
A main course at a modest restaurant or takeaway — around €12 to €15.
Look for samoussas, bouchons, or rougail saucisse at small kiosks or the central market area near the church.
Leader Price and Carrefour Contact are common budget supermarkets in the area.
The Saturday morning market at Place de la Mairie has affordable clothing; otherwise, head to Saint-Denis for larger high-street chains.
Bus is the cheapest way around (single ~€2, day pass ~€6); from the airport, take the bus (Kar’Ouest then Car Jaune) for about €2 to Saint-Benoît.
Eat at markets and boulangeries for cheap meals; buy water in bulk at supermarkets instead of convenience stores; use public buses rather than taxis.
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 Datura
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · La Banque Postale — 251 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · KôTé SanTé — 240 m · ~3 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 Datura?
Request a room on floors 3-5 facing the side or rear of the hotel, away from the main road. Saint-Benoit is a coastal town with occasional traffic on Rue de la Marine, so higher floors reduce street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Datura?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (floor 0 or 1) near the reception or street side—these get direct foot traffic and morning delivery noise. Also avoid rooms directly above the small lobby or near any lift shaft, as the lift is audible on lower floors.
Is Datura noisy?
Saint-Benoit has a lively market street nearby, so expect pre-dawn market activity and scooter traffic by 7am. The hotel's lift motor and ground-floor kitchen/breakfast area generate hum on lower levels.
Which rooms have the best views at Datura?
The best view is from upper floors on the side facing east—you may glimpse the hills of Bras-Panon or the ocean in the distance. The front rooms overlook the busy street with few scenic rewards.
What are insider tips for staying at Datura?
1) Check-in early: the hotel has limited parking (only 6-8 spaces) in a small courtyard; arrive before 5pm to secure a spot. 2) Request a room on the east side for morning light and quieter sleep—west side gets afternoon sun and heat.
What time is check-in at Datura?
Check-in at Datura is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Datura have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi available throughout the hotel; advertised speed 30 Mbps, suitable for streaming. No login credentials – just select the network and accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Datura?
1.07 EUR per adult per night, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Datura?
A sandwich or plat du jour at a café — about €8 to €12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Datura?
Bus is the cheapest way around (single ~€2, day pass ~€6); from the airport, take the bus (Kar’Ouest then Car Jaune) for about €2 to Saint-Benoît.
When is the best time to visit Saint-Benoit?
June, July, August — the austral winter brings dry days, clear skies and temperatures around 22°C, perfect for hiking the cirques without rain. The trade winds keep humidity low, and crowds are thin outside school holidays.
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.