The west coast of Réunion unveils its authentic charms between crystal-clear lagoons and fine sandy beaches, offering an exceptional playground for travelers seeking a change of scenery.
The Exsel Hotels group establishes itself as the preferred partner for your discovery of this paradisiacal coast, offering a collection of character-filled establishments perfectly positioned to explore the wonders of this region.
From the turquoise waters of l’Hermitage to the Creole vibes of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, each hotel in the group reveals a unique facet of Réunion’s identity, transforming your stay into a true cultural and sensory immersion.
An archipelago of hotels for a coast with a thousand faces
The west coast of Réunion stretches over more than 40 kilometers, showcasing a diversity of landscapes and atmospheres that only a strategic presence can fully capture. The Exsel Hotels group has successfully developed a network of establishments that perfectly align with this varied geography, offering guests the opportunity to uncover every secret of this preserved coast.
This unique territorial approach allows travelers to experience complementary adventures within a single stay. The proximity of these establishments facilitates movement between different atmospheres, from beachside relaxation to cultural escapades, creating a tailored itinerary at the heart of Réunion’s authenticity.
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains: the epicenter of coastal tourism
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is undeniably the jewel of the west coast, home to the island’s most beautiful beaches and an exceptional tourism offering. This iconic seaside resort hosts two gems of the Exsel group: Exsel Alamanda Hotel and Exsel Ermitage Hotel.
Exsel Alamanda Hotel, located at 81 Av. de Bourbon in Saint-Gilles Les Bains and 44 rue du Général de Gaulle in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, stands out as the ideal base for lovers of l’Hermitage beach. Just steps from the island’s most coveted lagoon, this cozy establishment offers privileged access to the crystal-clear waters protected by the coral reef. Its heated pool during the austral winter is a major asset for enjoying aquatic pleasures year-round.
The hotel stands out for its strategic location in the heart of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, providing immediate access to shops, restaurants, and water activities. Guests can easily alternate between relaxing under the century-old filaos trees by the lagoon and the vibrant energy of this dynamic seaside resort.
Exsel Ermitage Hotel, located at 40 Av de la Mer in Saint-Gilles les Bains and 2 rue de l’Ermitage, offers a more intimate experience with its 37 carefully designed rooms. Its immediate proximity to the beach and the commercial area makes it particularly popular with couples and families seeking the perfect balance between relaxation and exploration.
L’Hermitage Lagoon: A Natural Aquarium
The l’Hermitage lagoon is one of Réunion’s most precious natural treasures. This expanse of turquoise water, protected by a coral reef, offers ideal conditions for swimming and gentle water activities. The establishments of the Exsel group located in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains benefit from privileged access to this exceptional ecosystem.
The shallow, safe waters of the lagoon allow for paddleboarding, kayaking, and pedal boating in a secure environment. The rich marine life transforms every snorkeling outing into a natural spectacle, revealing colorful tropical fish and preserved coral formations.
Water Activities Within Fin’s Reach
The lagoon’s ecosystem offers a range of activities accessible to all levels. Beginners can safely try snorkeling in the shallower areas, while more experienced adventurers explore the coral drop-offs in search of remarkable marine encounters.
Partner water sports centers provide equipment rentals and introductory lessons, ensuring a safe discovery of this unique natural heritage. Observing sea turtles, frequent visitors to these pristine waters, is often the highlight of these aquatic explorations.
Saint-Paul and Roches Noires: Creole Authenticity
The Saint-Paul area reveals a more authentic side of the west coast, blending historical heritage with preserved Creole atmospheres. Exsel Floralys Hotel and Exsel Roseaux des Sables Residence, located at 76 Avenue Octave Bernard in L’Étang-Salé les Bains and 40 Rue des Roches Noires, offer an immersion in this quintessentially Réunionnais atmosphere.
Exsel Floralys Hotel features 48 rooms in single-story bungalows scattered throughout a lush tropical park. This environmentally respectful architectural design ensures harmonious integration into the natural landscape, creating a contemporary Creole village atmosphere.
The hotel stands out for its ecological approach and respect for endemic vegetation. The air-conditioned rooms all feature bathrooms with walk-in showers and modern amenities, blending contemporary comfort with tropical charm.
Exsel Roseaux des Sables Residence offers a self-catering accommodation option, perfectly suited for extended stays and large families. The accommodations, which can host up to 6 people, include apartments, studios, chalets, and bungalows, providing unique flexibility on the west coast.
A Preserved Tropical Park
The landscaped environment of these establishments forms a true haven of tropical greenery. Endemic species coexist with ornamental plants in a garden designed as a botanical discovery trail. This landscaping approach enhances the authenticity of the Réunionnais experience.
Saint-Denis: Gateway to the West Coast
Saint-Denis, the economic capital of Réunion, marks the northern entry to the west coast and is home to Exsel Créolia Hotel, a benchmark 4-star establishment for business travelers. Located at 14 Rue du Stade in Saint-Denis, close to Roland Garros Airport, this hotel perfectly combines professional functionality with high-end services.
The hotel offers 109 comfortable rooms and 5 modular meeting rooms to meet the needs of businesses and event organizers. The group’s commercial service customizes each package according to clients’ specific requirements, ensuring tailored services.
Le Kaloupilé Restaurant serves reimagined Creole cuisine in a contemporary setting, while La Varangue Bar provides a relaxing space after a day of work. The 500 m² infinity pool with stunning views of the Indian Ocean and the city is a major highlight of this exceptional establishment.
A Strategic Location for Professionals
The location of Exsel Créolia perfectly meets the needs of business travelers, offering easy access to the island’s main economic infrastructure. Its proximity to the airport optimizes travel time, while its urban setting facilitates access to business districts and administrative offices.
Exsel Austral Hotel, located at 20 Rue Charles Gounod in Saint-Denis, complements this business offering with 50 rooms of various categories, including two adapted for people with reduced mobility. Its downtown location, 300 meters from the sea, makes it a practical choice for short business stays.
The Wild South: Between Cliffs and Ocean
The southern coast reveals a more dramatic side of Réunion, where basaltic cliffs plunge into the Indian Ocean in a grandiose setting. The Exsel group offers two exceptional establishments in this preserved region: Exsel Victoria Hotel in Grand-Bois and Exsel Le Terre Sainte Hotel in Saint-Pierre.
Exsel Victoria Hotel, perched at 13 bis Chemin Irénée Courtois in Grand-Bois, offers a breathtaking panorama from its 31 rooms delicately set on a steep cliff. This exceptional location allows for total immersion in a preserved natural environment, at the gateway to the legendary Wild South.
The establishment positions itself as a haven for travelers seeking reconnection with nature and themselves. Just 10 minutes from the center of Saint-Pierre, it combines rejuvenating isolation with accessibility to urban amenities.
Saint-Pierre: Cultural and Artistic Crossroads
Saint-Pierre establishes itself as the capital of southern Réunion, blending colonial heritage with contemporary cultural dynamism. L’hôtel Exsel Le Terre Sainte, located at 5 rue François de Mahy, is nestled in the heart of the fishermen’s and street artists’ district, creating a bridge between ancestral traditions and modern creativity.
This lifestyle hotel pays homage to its neighborhood by offering generous living spaces dedicated to intercultural and intergenerational exchanges. Events and exhibitions by local artists regularly punctuate the hotel’s cultural programming, providing guests with an authentic immersion in contemporary Réunionnais creativity.
Réunionnais Urban Art Within Walking Distance
The neighborhood surrounding the hotel Le Terre Sainte constitutes a true open-air museum of Réunionnais urban art. The mural frescoes narrate the history and Creole identity through a universal artistic language, transforming every stroll into a cultural discovery.
Creole Gastronomy and Authentic Flavors
Le groupe Exsel places gastronomic discovery at the heart of the guest experience, offering restaurants that celebrate the richness of Réunionnais cuisine. Le restaurant La Marmite perpetuates authentic Creole culinary traditions, serving iconic dishes prepared according to ancestral recipes.
The chicken carry, prepared with tomatoes and local spices, reveals the subtlety of traditional Creole cuisine. The sausage rougail, accompanied by grains such as red beans, illustrates the art of flavor blending that characterizes this métisse gastronomy.
Le restaurant Le Kaloupilé at Exsel Créolia offers a contemporary take on Creole cuisine, reimagining classics with modern presentation and innovative culinary techniques. This creative approach respects the authenticity of flavors while appealing to the most discerning palates.
Réunionnais Terroir Products
The richness of Réunion’s agricultural production provides the group’s chefs with an exceptional palette of ingredients. Bourbon vanilla, cultivated on the island’s slopes, infuses desserts and savory dishes with an incomparable aroma. Tropical fruits—litchi, mango, guava, passion fruit—bring sweet and tangy notes to culinary creations.
Local vegetables like chouchou, brède mafane, or combava enrich traditional dishes with their unique flavors. This culinary biodiversity makes every meal an authentic taste discovery.
Activities and Discoveries on the West Coast
The strategic positioning of the group’s hotels facilitates access to a multitude of land and sea activities. Guests can tailor their discovery program to their interests, from water sports to hiking and cultural visits.
The diving spots in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains reveal the secrets of Réunion’s underwater world. Sea excursions allow for dolphin and whale watching depending on the season, turning outings into unforgettable natural spectacles.
Coastal Hikes
Coastal trails offer unique perspectives on volcanic landscapes and remarkable geological formations. The Cap La Houssaye trail unveils stunning ocean panoramas, while walks through the ravines reveal preserved endemic vegetation.
These accessible hikes, suitable for all levels, allow visitors to understand the island’s geological formation and observe flora and fauna in their natural environment. Accompaniment by local guides enriches these discoveries with cultural and historical anecdotes.
Services and Amenities
Le groupe Exsel Hôtels develops a service approach centered on anticipating guest needs and personalizing hospitality. Each establishment tailors its services to its clientele’s specifics, from business amenities to family-oriented attention.
Reception teams inform and guide guests in their local discoveries, sharing their intimate knowledge of the territory to enrich each stay with authentic experiences. This local expertise is a decisive value-add in the quality of the guest experience.
Modern Infrastructure and Amenities
All group establishments offer contemporary infrastructure respectful of the tropical environment. Air conditioning, essential in this climate, equips all rooms, while modern bathrooms provide expected comfort.
Common areas—pools, restaurants, lounges—create convivial spaces conducive to encounters and exchanges. This social dimension enhances the stay experience and fosters immersion in the Réunionnais art de vivre.
Cultural Heritage and Creole Traditions
The group’s territorial presence allows guests to discover the rich heritage of the west coast, from historical sites to contemporary cultural events. Each establishment serves as a starting point for authentic cultural discoveries.
Local markets reveal the colors, flavors, and scents of Réunion. The Saint-Paul market, held on Fridays and Saturdays, showcases stalls of spices, tropical fruits, and local crafts in a festive, colorful atmosphere. These weekly events offer prime opportunities to meet local producers and artisans.
Creole Architecture and Urbanism
Réunion’s traditional architecture, visible in the historic centers of Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre, reflects the island’s cultural métissage. Creole houses with ornate varangues, colonial mansions, and contemporary buildings create a unique architectural patchwork.
This stylistic diversity mirrors the island’s eventful history and the adaptation of construction techniques to the tropical climate. Exploring this built heritage enriches the understanding of Réunionnais identity.
Cultural Events and Festivals
Réunion’s cultural calendar is punctuated by events celebrating local diversity and creativity. Les équipes du groupe Exsel inform guests about scheduled events, facilitating participation in these communal moments.
Music festivals, contemporary art exhibitions, and gastronomic events offer prime opportunities to discover Réunionnais creativity in all its diversity. These events enhance the authenticity of the stay experience.
Sustainable Development and Environmental Respect
Le groupe Exsel Hôtels develops a responsible environmental approach, aware of the fragility of Réunion’s ecosystems. Sustainable practices are integrated into the daily management of establishments, from resource management to biodiversity preservation.
This eco-responsible approach also raises guest awareness of local environmental issues, contributing to a collective consciousness of the need to preserve this exceptional natural heritage.
Discover the Exsel group’s hotels now and let yourself be captivated by the authenticity of Réunion’s west coast. Each establishment awaits to offer a unique experience, blending modern comfort with authentic Creole charm.
Book your stay and prepare to experience unforgettable moments in the heart of Réunion, this intense island with a thousand faces where each day reveals new treasures to discover.
