Your stay — La Filature
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The Property — La Filature
La Filature greets you with a clean, unpretentious lobby – think terracotta tiles, a few potted palms and the hum of a ceiling fan. This three-star hotel, set back from the main road in Saint-Benoît, feels like a sensible coast-side stop for hikers and beach visitors who want reliable air conditioning, a small pool, and direct access to the eastern surf breaks. No fuss, just solid value for a night between the volcano and the sea.
Chronicles of Saint-Benoit
Saint-Benoît was founded in the 18th century as a coffee-and-sugar plantation hub on Réunion’s windward east coast. Its architecture reflects this colonial past: low-rise Creole houses with verandas and louvred shutters line the streets, alongside concrete blocks from the post-war boom. The 2007 cyclone Gamède tore through here, prompting stricter building codes and a sharper focus on coastal resilience. Today the town is a quiet commercial centre for vanilla and fruit farms, with a laid-back, predominantly Creole and Indian-Ocean character that shrugs off tourist crowds.
Best Time to Visit
Full Saint-Benoit guide →Best months
September and October are the sweet spot – winter trade winds ease, rain slows, and days stay a manageable 24-28°C. December is also good for sunbathing with lower cyclone risk than late summer.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season across Réunion (school holidays + whale-watching off the coast). Hotel prices jump by 30-50%. The big draw is the Fête du Vanille in Saint-Benoît if it falls that month, but mostly it’s families escaping winter. Avoid if you hate queues for the National Park.
Budget shoulder season
May and November are the quietest budget months – room rates drop 20-30%, the weather is still warm (22-27°C) but with brief showers, and the roads are clear. You’ll get the coast to yourself.
Weather & packing
Saint-Benoît is one of the wettest spots on Réunion – expect 300mm of rain even in ‘dry’ July. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-dry trousers, and leave linen trousers at home unless you enjoy them clinging damply.
Live City Briefing — Saint-Benoit
- The RN2 coastal road between Saint-Benoît and Sainte-Rose is undergoing resurfacing until late 2026 – expect 20-minute delays and loose gravel on the shoulder.
- A new fresh-produce market has opened at Place des Cocotiers, selling local vanilla and palm-heart salads; it’s worth a detour from the hotel (10 mins walk).
- Cyclone season officially ends in May, so July visits face lower storm risk – but the trails in the Cirque de Salazie may be muddy after recent rain; check with the tourist office for trail closures.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to La Filature, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request an upper floor room at the rear of the hotel, away from the street. If the building has three floors, the top floor offers the quietest stay.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street — Saint-Benoit is a working town with early morning market and traffic noise. Also skip rooms near the lift or staircase if the hotel has one.
Best views
The top floor rear rooms look onto the hotel’s garden or the quieter residential area behind. No sea or mountain view likely at this 3-star property.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 (top floor), at the back of the building.
🔊 Noise notes
Saint-Benoit’s main street can have early morning delivery trucks and market activity. The hotel may also have a small restaurant or bar on the ground floor — ask for a room away from that.
Insider tips
1. Park in the hotel’s private car park if available, as on-street parking is tight and noisy. 2. Request a quiet room at booking and confirm by email, specifying ‘rear-facing upper floor’.
- 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 — La Filature
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps, shared connection, login via room code); premium tier 10 EUR/day (20 Mbps dedicated, no blocks)
Small lift serves ground to third floor (all guest rooms); no stairs-only sections
No daily newspapers; digital kiosk via hotel app limited to local news. Building is a converted 19th-century sugar mill, original stone walls and ironwork preserved in lobby
Standard check-in 15:00–23:00; early bag-drop from 10:00 (free if room available); late check-out until 14:00 for 30 EUR (subject to availability)
Free for day-use after check-out; no cost
Main entrance has a ramp, but no automatic door; lift fits a standard wheelchair. Ground-floor accessible room available (advance request essential). No grab bars in public WC
On-site free parking for 20 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is Place de la Mairie (2-minute walk), free overnight. No EV charging onsite
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1.50 EUR per person per night (mandatory, applies to guests aged 18+)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as non-refundable deposit at booking; a 50 EUR card hold for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs at banks in Saint-Denis or major commercial centres; airport exchange bureaux and hotels give poor rates, so avoid them.
Widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants and larger shops; street stalls and some small local eateries are cash-only.
Tipping is not expected; rounding up a small amount for good service in restaurants is appreciated but never required.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →An espresso or small café crème from a bakery or casual café, around €2.
A sandwich or takeaway from a boulangerie or snack bar, about €6–€8.
A main course in a small local restaurant or pizzeria, typically €10–€14.
No dedicated street-food market in Saint-Benoît; look for roadside stalls selling samosas, bouchons, or grilled corn near the market on market days.
Leader Price, Carrefour Contact, and the local market (marché couvert) for fresh produce.
The market in Saint-Benoît centre has stalls with affordable casual wear; otherwise, head to large supermarkets for basic budget clothing.
Local buses cost around €1.80 per ride; from the airport, take the car shuttle or bus to Saint-Denis then change to a local bus to Saint-Benoît (total under €10).
Eat at the market for cheap, fresh meals; buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets instead of convenience stores; use the local bus rather than taxis for inter-village 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 La Filature
🕒 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 La Filature?
Request an upper floor room at the rear of the hotel, away from the street. If the building has three floors, the top floor offers the quietest stay.
Which rooms should I avoid at La Filature?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street — Saint-Benoit is a working town with early morning market and traffic noise. Also skip rooms near the lift or staircase if the hotel has one.
Is La Filature noisy?
Saint-Benoit’s main street can have early morning delivery trucks and market activity. The hotel may also have a small restaurant or bar on the ground floor — ask for a room away from that.
Which rooms have the best views at La Filature?
The top floor rear rooms look onto the hotel’s garden or the quieter residential area behind. No sea or mountain view likely at this 3-star property.
What are insider tips for staying at La Filature?
1. Park in the hotel’s private car park if available, as on-street parking is tight and noisy. 2. Request a quiet room at booking and confirm by email, specifying ‘rear-facing upper floor’.
What time is check-in at La Filature?
Check-in at La Filature is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does La Filature have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps, shared connection, login via room code); premium tier 10 EUR/day (20 Mbps dedicated, no blocks)
Is there a city or tourist tax at La Filature?
1.50 EUR per person per night (mandatory, applies to guests aged 18+)
Where can I eat cheaply near La Filature?
A sandwich or takeaway from a boulangerie or snack bar, about €6–€8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from La Filature?
Local buses cost around €1.80 per ride; from the airport, take the car shuttle or bus to Saint-Denis then change to a local bus to Saint-Benoît (total under €10).
When is the best time to visit Saint-Benoit?
September and October are the sweet spot – winter trade winds ease, rain slows, and days stay a manageable 24-28°C. December is also good for sunbathing with lower cyclone risk than late summer.
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.