We tested: the Lux* Saint-Gilles hotel in Reunion
During my stay in La Réunion, I was lucky enough to pack my bags and LUX Saint-Gilles, a hotel located in La Saline-les-Bains, on the west coast of the island.
At the time, I was discovering the world of LUX* hotels for the first time and I was immediately drawn to the atmosphere of the place: large tropical gardens, Creole-style buildings, a beach surrounded by a lagoon, and the feeling of being completely transported the moment you step through the hotel doors.
If you are preparing a trip to Reunion Island with family, The LUX* Saint-Gilles can also be a great place to spend a few days of rest between excursions exploring the island.
Here is my experience after my stay.
LUX* Saint-Gilles: where is the hotel located?
The LUX* Saint-Gilles is located on the west coast of La Réunion, in La Saline-les-Bains, in the Saint-Gilles area.
The hotel enjoys a particularly pleasant location as it is located on the edge of the lagoon.
During my stay, I particularly enjoyed being able to switch very quickly from the atmosphere of the tropical gardens to the beach and the ocean.
The estate then extended over several hectares and really gave the impression of being in a small tropical paradise.
My opinion on the LUX* Saint-Gilles
What struck me most during my stay was the environment.
As I strolled through the gardens, I discovered beautiful Creole-style structures surrounded by lush vegetation. The terraces, the palm trees, the flowers, and the immediate proximity to the beach created a particularly relaxing atmosphere.
The LUX* Saint-Gilles had managed to create that balance that I really like when traveling: a hotel where you can really relax while having a lot to discover around.
And in La Réunion, that’s not negligible! The island lends itself so well to hiking, excursions, and exploring that having a few days in a comfortable hotel also allows you to take a break between two busy days.
The room at LUX* Saint-Gilles
During my stay, I occupied a double room of 36 m² with a lovely terrace overlooking the palm grove.
I really liked the decor and especially the calm that reigned in the room.
After a day spent discovering La Réunion, it was really nice to be able to recapture that peaceful atmosphere.
The terrace was also a real plus: it was the kind of place where you simply want to sit down for a few minutes, enjoy the scenery, and take your time.
At the time, an iPad was also made available to customers and Wi-Fi was accessible in the establishment.
Mamma Aroma: the little touches that I loved
This is probably one of the memories that have stayed with me most from my stay at LUX*.
The LUX* group had worked with the aromatherapist Shirley Page to create a range of beauty and wellness products for the group's hotels.
And I must say that I really enjoyed discovering these products.
I especially liked the lemon balm shower gel and the shampoo with peppermint pepper. The smells were really pleasant and added a little extra touch to the experience.
I also really liked the soaps and the mango and papaya scented candles.
This is typically the kind of detail that might seem insignificant but ultimately contributes to the memory we keep of a hotel.
The pool and the beach
One of the great advantages of LUX* Saint-Gilles is, of course, its location on the edge of the lagoon.
During my stay, the hotel had an enormous swimming pool 1,100 m², surrounded by vegetation.
It was therefore easy to alternate between the swimming pool, the beach and water sports activities.
For a family holiday in Reunion, this is also a considerable advantage: after a day of hiking or exploring the island, being able to return to the hotel and relax quietly by the pool or on the beach allows you to slow down a bit.
The restaurants of LUX* Saint-Gilles
Gastronomy was also one of the highlights of my stay.
I had the opportunity to try different specialties in the hotel’s restaurants and I particularly enjoyed the Réunion cuisine.
Big heart-warming moment for the rough cut sausage, the Samoussas, seafood and the various specialties inspired by Creole, African, Indian and French influences.
In fact, this is one of the things I particularly like about Réunion: this mixed cuisine, generous and full of flavors.
Lunch facing the ocean at La Plage restaurant
For our first meal on the island, we had lunch at Restaurant La Plage.
The setting was obviously beautiful with a table facing the ocean.
After the trip, it was a perfect first immersion in the Réunionian atmosphere: our feet almost in the sand, the ocean in front of us and the first flavors of the island on our plate.
The bar and the arranged rums
In the evening, we also discovered the bar in Carry, At this event, we had the opportunity to taste several types of arranged rums.
And in La Réunion, it’s hard to miss the arranged rums!
It was a very pleasant way to end the day and to discover even more about the local traditions and flavors.
Cinema on the beach
Another experience I loved: the movie screenings on the beach organized several times a week.
Imagine: the night falls, you are sitting on the edge of the ocean, with a movie, popcorn, homemade ice cream and a fresh fruit cocktail.
This is exactly the kind of memory that transforms a simple stay at a hotel into a real travel experience.
The Wishing Tree
In the hotels of the LUX* group*, I had also discovered a concept that I found very original: The Wishing Tree.
The principle was simple: customers could write a wish and place it in the tree.
At the end of the year, a small paper was drawn at random, with the prize being a stay in La Réunion.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to make our wishes there during this stay… but we made up for it later during our visit to LUX* Le Morne on the island of Mauritius!
The ice cream and smoothie bar
Another little treat I discovered during my stay: the ice cream and smoothie bar.
A perfect break between two swims or after a day spent exploring the surroundings.
I really like this kind of detail in hotels: they’re not necessarily the most spectacular amenities, but they’re often the ones that people remember for a long time.
Lux* Saint-Gilles with the family
Even though my stay at LUX* Saint-Gilles dates back several years, I still remember a hotel that was equally suitable for a romantic getaway and a family vacation.
The presence of the beach, the swimming pool, the nautical activities and the outdoor spaces allows for easy alternation between moments of relaxation and activities.
And above all, Réunion is a destination where it would be a shame to stay only in a hotel.
The ideal, in my opinion, is to plan a few days of exploration of the island — volcanoes, waterfalls, cirques, villages, hiking — and to save some quieter moments by the lagoon.
It is this mix of adventure and relaxation that makes a family trip to Reunion particularly enjoyable.
What to do around LUX* Saint-Gilles?
The location of LUX* Saint-Gilles makes it easy to reach many of the must-see sites in La Réunion.
When traveling to the island, I recommend that you take the time to discover:
- the Piton de la Fournaise; ;
- the circuses of Reunion; ;
- the waterfalls and pools; ;
- the Creole villages; ;
- the beaches of the west coast; ;
- local markets and specialties; ;
- the different views on the volcanic landscapes of the island.
The LUX* Saint-Gilles can thus be considered as a A comfortable base for exploring the west coast of Reunion, while retaining a few days of rest.
My little memories of LUX* Saint-Gilles
In retrospect, it’s actually the small details that I remember most clearly.
The tropical gardens, the Creole villas, the smells of Mamma Aroma products, the arranged rum, the lunch facing the ocean, the ice cream, the beach, and above all, that feeling of calm.
It was also my first discovery of the LUX* universe and I really liked their attention to detail.
In particular, I had introduced two playlists specially composed for the LUX* hotels*, a small original treat that allowed guests to prolong their experience once they returned home.
My summary
The LUX Saint-Gilles remains a very beautiful memory of my trip to Reunion.*
I particularly loved its tropical setting, its location on the edge of the lagoon, the swimming pool, the activities offered, and all the small touches that gave the establishment a real personality.
If you are looking for a hotel that allows you to combine Rest, beach, gastronomy and discovering La Réunion, This is an address that I really enjoyed during my stay.
And for a family trip, I find it particularly interesting to be able to have a real relaxing break after several days spent exploring the island.
FAQ – LUX* Saint-Gilles in Reunion
Where is the LUX Saint-Gilles located?*
The hotel is located in La Saline-les-Bains, on the west coast of La Réunion, on the edge of the lagoon.
Is the LUX Saint-Gilles suitable for a family trip?*
During my stay, the hotel offered an environment that was suitable for both a couple’s getaway and a family vacation, thanks in particular to the swimming pool, the beach, and the numerous activities available.
Can you enjoy the beach from the hotel?
Yes, the hotel enjoys a location directly on the edge of the lagoon.
What activities can be practiced?
During my stay, the activities included snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, fishing, and diving.
Can you visit Reunion from the LUX Saint-Gilles?*
Yes. The hotel also offered various excursions allowing guests to discover the island, including helicopter tours, catamaran cruises, and excursions to Piton de la Fournaise.
Do I recommend this hotel?
This is an address I really enjoyed during my stay and which I have an excellent memory of, especially for its tropical setting, its access to the lagoon and the general atmosphere of the establishment.
Practical information – LUX* Saint-Gilles
📍 Address: 28 Rue du Lagon, L’Hermitage, 97434 Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Reunion Island.
⭐ Category: 5-star hotel, located directly on the lagoon of l’Hermitage, on the west coast of La Réunion.
🚗 Access: The hotel is accessible by car and has parking with charging points for electric vehicles. It is also served by public transport, including a bus connection to the airport.
🏨 Rooms: Several categories are offered, including Superior rooms, Deluxe rooms, Junior Suites and Family Suites. The Deluxe room currently measures 38 m² according to the official website.
👨👩👧👦 As a family: The hotel features, among other things, Family Suites of 68 m² that can accommodate up to 4 adults and 2 teenagers, as well as a PLAY children's club for children aged 3 to 11 years.
🏖️ Beach and lagoon: The hotel has direct access to the beach and is located in front of the Hermitage lagoon.
🍽️ Restaurants: The establishment offers several dining options, including La Cuisine, Orangine and La Plage, as well as a bar and 24-hour room service.
🕑 Check-in: from 2 p.m.
🕚 Check-out: until 11 a.m. for rooms and suites according to the information currently displayed by the hotel.
💳 Prices: Prices vary depending on the dates, room category and the chosen package. I recommend checking the prices directly when you book.
📞 Phone number: +262 (0) 262 700 000.
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