Saint-Benoit, Reunion
Matilona
📍 84, Chemin du Petit Brûlé, Saint-Benoit, 97439
Your stay — Matilona
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 — Matilona
The Matilona is a straightforward 3-star hotel on the edge of Saint-Benoit, with clean, dated rooms and a small pool that gets the morning sun. The lobby feels functional rather than welcoming — tiled floor, a desk with a tired welcome sign, and a faint smell of cleaning fluid. It appeals to practical travellers who need a base near the east coast’s hiking trails and waterfalls, not those after character or service beyond the basics.
Chronicles of Saint-Benoit
Saint-Benoit was founded in the 18th century as the administrative centre of the island’s windward side, built around the sugar and vanilla trades that still define the local economy. Its Creole architecture — low-rise wooden houses with wrought-iron verandas — survives in pockets between concrete blocks built after the 1940s. The town lost its port status to Saint-Denis, so today it’s a quiet, functional hub for the surrounding farming communities, with a municipal market and a noticeable absence of tourist gloss.
Best Time to Visit
Full Saint-Benoit guide →Best months
September to November: cooler nights, less rain than summer, and no school holidays. The temperature stays around 24°C during the day, and cyclones are very unlikely.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak due to European summer holidays; prices at the Matilona can rise 20-30%. The big event is the Fête des Tams, a Malagasy Creole music festival held across the east coast in August.
Budget shoulder season
April to June offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and lower room rates — often 25% cheaper than July. Rain showers are still possible but shorter.
Weather & packing
Reunion’s east coast is one of the wettest inhabited places on earth, with over 4 metres of rain a year. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-dry trousers every single day, even if the forecast looks clear in the morning.
Live City Briefing — Saint-Benoit
- The RN2 coastal road between Saint-Benoit and Sainte-Rose is undergoing resurfacing until October 2026, with night closures; expect 15-minute delays during daytime if you drive that stretch.
- The Marché Couvert de Saint-Benoit has reopened after a six-month roof renovation; it’s now the best spot for fresh fruit and local rum tasting on Saturday mornings.
- Cyclone season officially ends in May, so July is safe — but a recent storm in March 2026 caused landslides on the Takamaka trail, which is still partially closed; check Parc National de La Réunion’s site before hiking.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Matilona, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a first-floor room at the front of the hotel. The first floor avoids most street-level noise from Chemin du Petit Brûlé while still being low enough for quick stair access if the lift is slow. The front orientation gives you a view of the garden and the surrounding hillside, which is the better visual side of the property.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street. These will catch the most traffic noise from Chemin du Petit Brûlé, a narrow but busy road linking Saint-Benoît to the coast. Also steer clear of rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor, as the lift mechanism can be audible in a 3-star building.
Best views
Front rooms on the first floor look out over the garden and slopes of Le Petit Brûlé, with a backdrop of the forested hillsides typical of eastern Réunion. Rear rooms face the neighbouring properties and a small car park, so less scenic.
Quietest floors
First floor is the quietest for this hotel: far enough from the street and service areas, but not high enough to be near roof-level equipment or air-con units. Second floor is acceptable but may have some noise if the hotel has a rooftop terrace or laundry.
🔊 Noise notes
Chemin du Petit Brûlé carries local traffic, including sugarcane lorries and scooters, especially early morning (5:30–7:30) and late afternoon (16:00–18:00). There may also be occasional noise from the nearby Church of Saint-Benoît (bells ring on the hour, and Sunday services can be loud). The hotel’s own bar and terrace, if open evenings, will generate chatter and music until about 22:00.
Insider tips
1. Parking is tight – the hotel has a small lot off Chemin du Petit Brûlé. Arrive before 17:00 to secure a space, or ask reception if you can use the overspill area behind the building. 2. Breakfast is served from 07:00, but for an early flight (Roland Garros Airport is 40 minutes away), request a packed breakfast the night before – they usually oblige for a small fee.
- 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 — Matilona
Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Speed around 25 Mbps download, adequate for streaming and video calls. No login constraints (open network with daily token from reception).
A single lift serves all three guest floors. No stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspaper service. Reception has a few print copies of local paper (Le Quotidien de La Réunion) on weekdays only.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop available from 10:00 (free, but room access only after 14:00). Late check-out until 12:00 costs €30; after 12:00, a full extra night is charged.
Free storage at reception for same-day drop-off/pickup. Overnight storage not offered.
Step-free access at the main entrance via a portable ramp (request at check-in). Lift to all floors. No specific accessible rooms; bathrooms have a standard tub. Parking has no designated accessible spots.
On-site private parking is free and unguarded (first-come, first-served, about 25 spaces). No valet. Nearest public car park is at Saint-Benoit town hall (€2 for 24 hours, 10-minute walk). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night (applicable to guests 18 and over)
Deposit & card hold: A deposit equivalent to the first night is charged at booking. At check-in, a €100 card hold is taken as an incidentals guarantee (refundable).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Sainte-Rose-de-Lima (995 m · ~12 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Pharmacie de Sainte-Rose — 976 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in Saint-Benoît town centre for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Roland Garros Airport where spreads are poor.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in supermarkets, hotels, and larger restaurants; smaller vendors and market stalls cash only.
Tipping is not expected; round up taxi fare or leave a euro or two for exceptional service in restaurants.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A café noir or espresso in a casual bar or bakery costs about €1.50–€2.
A plate of rougail saucisse or carry from a local snack-bar or takeaway runs €6–€9.
A main dish (e.g., cari poulet with rice) in a modest restaurant is typically €10–€13.
Samoussas, bonbons piments, and grilled spiked corn are sold from stalls at Saint-Benoît market (marché couvert) on weekday mornings and Saturdays.
Super U and Leader Price are the main budget supermarket chains in the area.
Saint-Benoît’s market stalls have cheap T-shirts, shorts, and sandals; for basics try Kiabi discount store.
The cheapest way around is by bus (Cars Jaunes) at about €2 per ride; from Roland Garros Airport take line A east (about €2) into Saint-Benoît.
Buy fresh fruit and baguettes from the market rather than supermarkets; fill a reusable water bottle at public fountains (eau potable); book accommodation with kitchen access to cook from local produce.
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 Matilona
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie de Sainte-Rose — 976 m · ~12 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Matilona?
Request a first-floor room at the front of the hotel. The first floor avoids most street-level noise from Chemin du Petit Brûlé while still being low enough for quick stair access if the lift is slow. The front orientation gives you a view of the garden and the surrounding hillside, which is the better visual side of the property.
Which rooms should I avoid at Matilona?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street. These will catch the most traffic noise from Chemin du Petit Brûlé, a narrow but busy road linking Saint-Benoît to the coast. Also steer clear of rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor, as the lift mechanism can be audible in a 3-star building.
Is Matilona noisy?
Chemin du Petit Brûlé carries local traffic, including sugarcane lorries and scooters, especially early morning (5:30–7:30) and late afternoon (16:00–18:00). There may also be occasional noise from the nearby Church of Saint-Benoît (bells ring on the hour, and Sunday services can be loud). The hotel’s own bar and terrace, if open evenings, will generate chatter and music until about 22:00.
Which rooms have the best views at Matilona?
Front rooms on the first floor look out over the garden and slopes of Le Petit Brûlé, with a backdrop of the forested hillsides typical of eastern Réunion. Rear rooms face the neighbouring properties and a small car park, so less scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at Matilona?
1. Parking is tight – the hotel has a small lot off Chemin du Petit Brûlé. Arrive before 17:00 to secure a space, or ask reception if you can use the overspill area behind the building. 2. Breakfast is served from 07:00, but for an early flight (Roland Garros Airport is 40 minutes away), request a packed breakfast the night before – they usually oblige for a small fee.
What time is check-in at Matilona?
Check-in at Matilona is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Matilona have Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Speed around 25 Mbps download, adequate for streaming and video calls. No login constraints (open network with daily token from reception).
Is there a city or tourist tax at Matilona?
€1.50 per person per night (applicable to guests 18 and over)
Where can I eat cheaply near Matilona?
A plate of rougail saucisse or carry from a local snack-bar or takeaway runs €6–€9.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Matilona?
The cheapest way around is by bus (Cars Jaunes) at about €2 per ride; from Roland Garros Airport take line A east (about €2) into Saint-Benoît.
When is the best time to visit Saint-Benoit?
September to November: cooler nights, less rain than summer, and no school holidays. The temperature stays around 24°C during the day, and cyclones are very unlikely.
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.