Your stay — Le Relais des Cimes
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The Property — Le Relais des Cimes
Le Relais des Cimes is a straightforward three-star on the outskirts of Saint-Benoit, built from dark volcanic stone with broad verandas overlooking sugar-cane fields toward the Indian Ocean. The lobby smells of coffee and frangipani, staff are matter-of-fact but helpful, and there is no pretence — this is a practical base for hikers heading into the Cirque de Salazie or for anyone wanting a quiet night near the east coast without the resort prices. It suits independent travellers, couples on a road trip, or small groups who prefer a proper shower and solid breakfast over boutique decoration.
Chronicles of Saint-Benoit
Saint-Benoit was founded in the early 18th century as a colonial parish centred on coffee and then sugar plantations, its grid of streets still radiating from the original church square. Nineteenth-century cyclone-resistant Creole houses with wide, jalousie-shuttered windows line the main road, while the 1930s art-deco market hall remains the town's social anchor. Today, the city is the administrative and commercial hub of Reunion's east coast, proud of its multi-ethnic population — descendants of slaves, indentured Indian workers, Chinese traders, French settlers — and its strong vanilla and lychee production. The annual Vanilla Festival in late July celebrates that heritage with parades, crafts and tastings, though much of Saint-Benoit's daily life stays low-key and practical.
Best Time to Visit
Full Saint-Benoit guide →Best months
June, July, August — winter months with cool nights, clear skies, low humidity and very little cyclone risk. Trails are firm and the sea is calm enough for swimming on the east coast beaches. Tourist numbers are moderate outside the school holiday periods.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak due to European summer holidays and the Vanilla Festival (last weekend of July). Hotel prices can rise 20–30% over standard rates and advance booking is essential. The festival itself draws food tourists and day-trippers from Saint-Denis.
Budget shoulder season
May and September offer the best deals — still dry and pleasant, with fewer guests and rates often 15% below July levels. You get the same stable weather without the festival crowds.
Weather & packing
Saint-Benoit's east coast gets a microclimate of frequent morning drizzle from the trade winds, even in the 'dry' season. Pack a light waterproof jacket and quick-dry trousers; leave the umbrella — the bursts are short and the sun returns fast.
Live City Briefing — Saint-Benoit
- The RN2 coast road between Saint-Benoit and Sainte-Rose is undergoing landslide repair works with single-lane alternating traffic until late 2026, causing delays of up to 20 minutes on weekdays; check the official road status app before driving.
- A new direct bus line (Car Jaune 'Ligne E') now connects Saint-Benoit market with the Salazie cirque trailhead at Hell-Bourg, running four times daily since March 2026 — useful for hikers who don't want to drive the winding road.
- The Vanilla Festival 2026 will run 24–26 July, with extended market stalls and cooking demonstrations along Rue de la République, meaning a busier town centre on that weekend.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Le Relais des Cimes, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd floor or higher, facing the inner courtyard or the garden side. These are quieter and away from the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the reception or breakfast area, as they suffer from foot traffic and early morning noise. Also avoid rooms at the back overlooking the service area.
Best views
Rooms facing the garden or the distant mountains (east-facing) offer the best view, with greenery and less urban clutter.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest, above the ground-floor bustle and away from the street.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a main road through Saint-Benoit (the N2), so front-facing rooms hear traffic, especially during morning and late afternoon. There is no bar or disco, but the breakfast room can be audible on the ground floor from 7am.
Insider tips
1. Park in the gated lot at the rear – safer and quieter than street parking. 2. Request a room on the garden side when booking, and confirm a day before arrival; the hotel often obliges if space allows.
- 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 — Le Relais des Cimes
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical download speed 25 Mbps; no login constraints after password from reception
No lift; all rooms on first and second floor accessed by stairs only (historic Creole building)
Digital newsstand via PressReader (complimentary) on tablets at lobby; no physical newspapers delivered; building built 1925 with original wooden veranda
Check-in 15:00-22:00; early bag drop available from 12:00 at reception (no charge); late check-out until 13:00 for 25 EUR, after 13:00 charged full night
Free for same-day early arrival and after checkout until 18:00
No step-free access; main entrance has three steps, no ramp; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathroom adaptations
Free on-site parking for 12 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park 'Parking Centre Saint-Benoit' 200m away, free overnight; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1.20 EUR per person per night (guests 18+)
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; at check-in a 100 EUR card authorisation 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 local bank ATMs in Saint-Benoit for best rates; avoid currency exchange desks at Roland Garros Airport or tourist bureaux as they charge poor rates and high fees.
Credit and debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted in supermarkets, larger shops, and hotels; contactless and mobile pay (e.g., Apple Pay) work at most terminals, but small markets and street vendors prefer cash.
Tipping is not expected or required; round up the bill or leave small change (e.g., €1-2) for good service in restaurants; taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard espresso or filter coffee from a local bakery or café kiosk costs around €1.50-2.00.
A set lunch menu (plat du jour) at a neighbourhood resto or snack-bar costs about €10-12.
A main course in a casual local restaurant runs €10-15; a three-course fixed-price dinner is roughly €18-25.
Look for roadside stalls and small kiosks selling samoussas, bouchons, and grilled sausages along Rue de la République and near the market; a filling snack costs €2-4.
Super U and Leader Price are the main budget supermarket chains in Saint-Benoit; also check the covered market (Marché Couvert) for fresh produce.
For affordable clothing, go to the central market (Marché Couvert) for cheap T-shirts, shorts, and local fabrics; major supermarket chains also sell basic apparel at low prices.
The cheapest way around is by local bus (Car Jaune) – single trip €2, day pass €5; from the airport, take bus line A (€2) to Saint-Benoit centre, or share a taxi (€30-40 per person).
Eat lunch at the covered market where vendors sell cooked dishes for €6-8; buy fresh fruit and baguettes from the market for picnics; use local bus passes instead of taxis for longer journeys.
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 Le Relais des Cimes
🕒 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 Le Relais des Cimes?
Request a room on the 2nd floor or higher, facing the inner courtyard or the garden side. These are quieter and away from the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Le Relais des Cimes?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the reception or breakfast area, as they suffer from foot traffic and early morning noise. Also avoid rooms at the back overlooking the service area.
Is Le Relais des Cimes noisy?
The hotel sits on a main road through Saint-Benoit (the N2), so front-facing rooms hear traffic, especially during morning and late afternoon. There is no bar or disco, but the breakfast room can be audible on the ground floor from 7am.
Which rooms have the best views at Le Relais des Cimes?
Rooms facing the garden or the distant mountains (east-facing) offer the best view, with greenery and less urban clutter.
What are insider tips for staying at Le Relais des Cimes?
1. Park in the gated lot at the rear – safer and quieter than street parking. 2. Request a room on the garden side when booking, and confirm a day before arrival; the hotel often obliges if space allows.
What time is check-in at Le Relais des Cimes?
Check-in at Le Relais des Cimes is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Le Relais des Cimes have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical download speed 25 Mbps; no login constraints after password from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Le Relais des Cimes?
1.20 EUR per person per night (guests 18+)
Where can I eat cheaply near Le Relais des Cimes?
A set lunch menu (plat du jour) at a neighbourhood resto or snack-bar costs about €10-12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Le Relais des Cimes?
The cheapest way around is by local bus (Car Jaune) – single trip €2, day pass €5; from the airport, take bus line A (€2) to Saint-Benoit centre, or share a taxi (€30-40 per person).
When is the best time to visit Saint-Benoit?
June, July, August — winter months with cool nights, clear skies, low humidity and very little cyclone risk. Trails are firm and the sea is calm enough for swimming on the east coast beaches. Tourist numbers are moderate outside the school holiday periods.
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.