Your stay — L'Orée des Bois
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The Property — L'Orée des Bois
L'Orée des Bois is a modest three-star on the outskirts of Saint-Benoît, set against a lush backdrop of tropical forest and cane fields. Its lobby is simple and airy, with wooden accents and the faint smell of vanilla from the gardens—more functional than fancy. The USP is its proximity to the Rivière des Marsouins and easy access to the eastern hiking trails, making it a solid base for outdoor types who value quiet over frills. It suits couples or solo travellers who want a clean, no-nonsense stay near the national park.
Chronicles of Saint-Benoit
Saint-Benoît was founded in the 18th century as a coffee and sugar plantation hub, with its core growing around the Church of Saint-Benoît, built in 1752. The town’s architecture remains low-rise, with Creole houses and functional concrete blocks reflecting its role as an agricultural service centre for vanilla, sugarcane and tropical fruit. Devastated by cyclones in 1944 and 2002, rebuilding has favoured resilience over beauty, giving it a pragmatic, workaday character. Today, it’s the largest town on Réunion’s east coast and a gateway to the Cirque de Salazie, but sees far fewer tourists than Saint-Denis or Saint-Gilles. Its cultural identity is quietly multicultural, with a strong Tamil community visible in the temples and the annual Dipavali celebrations.
Best Time to Visit
Full Saint-Benoit guide →Best months
May to October, which is the dry, austral winter—cooler (20-25°C), lower humidity and less rain than the steamy summer. July offers settled weather and clear skies for hiking, without the peak of August's school holiday crowds.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak month, driven by French school holidays and Réunion’s own winter vacations. Hotel prices in Saint-Benoît can jump 30-40%, and availability at budget places like L'Orée des Bois becomes tight. The nearby Fête de la Vanille (vanilla festival, late August) draws day-trippers.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are excellent shoulder months: May still has some afternoon showers but fewer tourists, and October offers milder heat with low season pricing. You’ll find discounts of 15-25% on standard rates.
Weather & packing
Réunion’s east coast is notorious for microclimates—you can get rain in Saint-Benoît while the west is bright. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sturdy walking shoes, because morning sun can turn to sudden downpour by 2pm.
Live City Briefing — Saint-Benoit
- Construction on the new coastal road (Route du Littoral) connecting Saint-Benoît to Saint-Denis is ongoing; expect occasional delays and single-lane traffic near the Rivière des Marsouins bridge. Allow 20 extra minutes for journeys west.
- The Marché de Saint-Benoît has expanded its covered section with more local fruit and vanilla stalls, but opening hours remain 7am-12pm on Saturday mornings only.
- July 2026 coincides with the Dry Season; the nearby trail to Trou de Fer is open but check Météo France daily for flash-flood warnings (recent cyclone debris may destabilise paths).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to L'Orée des Bois, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first or second floor facing the rear garden (away from Rue Saint-Benoit). These floors are high enough to catch a breeze but low enough for easy stair access (no lift), and garden-side rooms avoid the main road noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street—closest to passing traffic and pedestrian noise from the main road. Also skip any room directly above the reception or breakfast area, as early morning bustle carries.
Best views
Rooms at the back (garden side) look onto a small tropical garden with frangipani and bougainvillea. Street-facing rooms see the main road and local shops—nothing special.
Quietest floors
First and second floors—above ground-level hubbub, not high enough for roof/mechanical noise, and typically quieter due to fewer passers-by.
🔊 Noise notes
Hotel sits directly on Saint-Benoit's main through-road (Rue de la Gare), so traffic noise is constant daytime/evening. Occasional moped or truck in early morning. No air-con means windows open—noise more intrusive in warmer months.
Insider tips
Park on the hotel's small side street (Rue Paul Moreau) if full up front—free after 6pm. Request a fan for the room, as the 3-star standard doesn't guarantee air-con, and garden-facing rooms stay cooler naturally.
- 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 — L'Orée des Bois
Free basic WiFi in all rooms and lobby (4 Mbps); paid upgrade 2 EUR/day for 15 Mbps
No lift; ground-floor rooms available on request
No physical newspapers; free digital access to Clic Presse (modern Réunion dailies)
Standard 14:00-20:00; early bag-drop from 10:00; late check-out 50 EUR until 14:00 if available
Free at reception during office hours; secure room after check-out on request
Step-free access at main entrance; one ground-floor room adapted for wheelchair users
Free on-site unsecured parking (8 spaces); nearest public car park Rue de la Gare 2.50 EUR/night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 0.83 EUR per adult per night (taxe de séjour) payable at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 30% advance deposit on booking; 100 EUR incidental card hold at check-in
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Chez Alexis — 892 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Exchange at banks or post offices for best rates; avoid airport bureaux which charge high fees. Most places accept cards, so carrying small cash is sufficient for street markets and small shops.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels; contactless common. Smaller vendors and market stalls prefer cash.
Tipping not expected but appreciated for good service: round up the bill or leave 5–10% in restaurants; small change for taxis and hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple espresso or filter coffee at a local café or bakery: €1.50–2.50.
A set menu or takeaway sandwich from a boulangerie or small eatery: €8–12.
A main course at an affordable local restaurant: €12–18.
Look for 'rougail' or 'samossa' stands near markets or bus stops, especially around the centre.
Leader Price and Super U are common budget supermarket chains in Saint-Benoît.
Second-hand or discount clothing at Tropic Market or local market stalls; avoid tourist-focused boutiques.
Local bus (Car Jaune) is cheapest, single ticket ~€1.50; from the airport, take the regular bus line to Saint-Benoît for under €3, not a taxi.
Eat at local markets instead of tourist-oriented restaurants; buy bottled water in bulk from supermarkets; use public buses rather than taxis for short trips.
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 L'Orée des Bois
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 L'Orée des Bois?
Request a room on the first or second floor facing the rear garden (away from Rue Saint-Benoit). These floors are high enough to catch a breeze but low enough for easy stair access (no lift), and garden-side rooms avoid the main road noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at L'Orée des Bois?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street—closest to passing traffic and pedestrian noise from the main road. Also skip any room directly above the reception or breakfast area, as early morning bustle carries.
Is L'Orée des Bois noisy?
Hotel sits directly on Saint-Benoit's main through-road (Rue de la Gare), so traffic noise is constant daytime/evening. Occasional moped or truck in early morning. No air-con means windows open—noise more intrusive in warmer months.
Which rooms have the best views at L'Orée des Bois?
Rooms at the back (garden side) look onto a small tropical garden with frangipani and bougainvillea. Street-facing rooms see the main road and local shops—nothing special.
What are insider tips for staying at L'Orée des Bois?
Park on the hotel's small side street (Rue Paul Moreau) if full up front—free after 6pm. Request a fan for the room, as the 3-star standard doesn't guarantee air-con, and garden-facing rooms stay cooler naturally.
What time is check-in at L'Orée des Bois?
Check-in at L'Orée des Bois is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does L'Orée des Bois have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi in all rooms and lobby (4 Mbps); paid upgrade 2 EUR/day for 15 Mbps
Is there a city or tourist tax at L'Orée des Bois?
0.83 EUR per adult per night (taxe de séjour) payable at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near L'Orée des Bois?
A set menu or takeaway sandwich from a boulangerie or small eatery: €8–12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from L'Orée des Bois?
Local bus (Car Jaune) is cheapest, single ticket ~€1.50; from the airport, take the regular bus line to Saint-Benoît for under €3, not a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Saint-Benoit?
May to October, which is the dry, austral winter—cooler (20-25°C), lower humidity and less rain than the steamy summer. July offers settled weather and clear skies for hiking, without the peak of August's school holiday crowds.
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.