What to do around Hotel Exsel Alamanda?

Whether you’re a fan of relaxation, passionate about water sports, a nature lover, or eager to discover Réunion’s culture, the surroundings of the Exsel Alamanda Hotel are brimming with opportunities to enrich your stay. Discover the many activities awaiting you just minutes from your accommodation.

The Exsel Alamanda Hotel enjoys a privileged location just steps from the famous Hermitage Beach, one of the most beautiful in Réunion. This proximity to the coast is one of the hotel’s main assets, allowing guests to fully enjoy the joys of the sea without logistical constraints.

Less than a 5-minute walk from the hotel, Hermitage Beach welcomes you with its fine white sand, lined with majestic casuarina trees. This lagoon, protected by a coral reef, offers calm, crystal-clear waters, ideal for safe swimming, even with young children. The water temperature, pleasant year-round (24 to 29°C depending on the season), invites unforgettable moments of relaxation.

For those who prefer lounging in the sun, shaded areas under the casuarinas provide a comfortable spot away from the most intense rays. The sunrises and sunsets here are particularly spectacular, offering a natural spectacle that amateur and professional photographers won’t want to miss.

The Hermitage lagoon is an ideal playground for trying or perfecting various water activities:

• Snorkeling (fins, mask, and snorkel): Explore the vibrant underwater world teeming with tropical fish and colorful corals. Many providers near the beach offer equipment rentals.
• Paddleboarding (SUP): This accessible activity lets you glide across the water on a board using a paddle. The calm lagoon is perfect for beginners.
• Transparent Kayak: A unique experience to observe marine life without getting wet while paddling through the lagoon’s turquoise waters.
• Pedal Boats: Ideal for a family outing, they allow you to explore the lagoon at your own pace.

For the more adventurous, sea excursions are organized to spot dolphins and, depending on the season, whales that come to give birth in Réunion’s waters between June and October.

About a 10-minute drive north of the hotel, Boucan Canot Beach offers a livelier atmosphere. Nicknamed “La plage de Boucan,” this beach is particularly appreciated for its picturesque setting and proximity to numerous restaurants and bars.

Depending on safety conditions, swimming is possible. Additionally, a natural pool protected by nets offers a safe alternative for bathing.

Beyond beach pleasures, the surroundings of the Exsel Alamanda Hotel are rich with exceptional natural sites, showcasing the diversity of Réunion’s landscapes.

Just a 5-minute drive from the hotel, the Jardin d’Eden offers an enchanting stroll amidst tropical and endemic plants. This 2.5-hectare botanical park features over 400 plant species in a beautifully landscaped setting.

Shaded paths guide you through various settings: Creole garden, palm tree area, orchid collection… Informative signs along the way provide valuable insights into Réunion’s flora and its traditional uses.

The visit, lasting approximately 1.5 hours, typically concludes with a tasting of local herbal teas and tropical fruits, offering a complete sensory experience.

For an alternative to the beaches, head to Bassin des Aigrettes, about a 15-minute drive from the hotel toward the forest road. This natural pool, formed by the Saint-Gilles River, offers an idyllic setting for a refreshing swim in freshwater amidst lush vegetation.

A short 10-minute walk from the parking lot leads to this peaceful haven where you can swim and relax on the surrounding rocks. The site is popular with locals on weekends, so opt for weekday visits for more tranquility. Note, however, that access is currently prohibited.

A must-do excursion from Saint-Gilles is a trip to Le Maïdo to admire the Mafate Cirque, one of the three natural cirques at the heart of Réunion Island. About a 1-hour 45-minute drive from the hotel, this lookout at over 2,200 meters altitude offers spectacular views of this rugged territory, accessible only on foot.

Mornings are ideal for this visit, before clouds obscure the view. On clear days, the panorama stretches to the Indian Ocean, offering a striking contrast between the mountain peaks and the coastline.

For the more athletic, several hiking trails start from Le Maïdo, allowing deeper exploration of this unique volcanic landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and its surroundings offer numerous opportunities to discover Réunion’s culture, particularly through its diverse cuisine and vibrant markets.

Every Wednesday evening (during peak tourist season), the Hermitage waterfront comes alive with a night market where local artisans and producers showcase their creations and specialties. Less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel, this friendly event is the perfect opportunity to find authentic souvenirs and sample local delicacies in a festive atmosphere.

Lava stone jewelry, precious wood objects, colorful textiles, spices, exotic jams… The stalls are filled with treasures that tell the story of the island’s Creole soul.

On Friday mornings, don’t miss the Saint-Gilles forain market, about an 8-minute drive from the hotel. This traditional Réunion market is the perfect place to discover tropical fruits and vegetables, spices, and prepared dishes that highlight the richness of local cuisine.

Victoria pineapples, mangoes, lychees (in season), fresh turmeric, vanilla… Let the colors and aromas guide you, and don’t hesitate to chat with producers who eagerly share their passion and tips.

About a 40-minute drive toward Saint-Pierre in the south, La Saga du Rhum, Réunion’s first rum museum, invites you to explore the history and production techniques of this iconic beverage. The guided tour, followed by a tasting, highlights the cultural and economic importance of sugarcane and rum in Réunion’s history.

The museum’s journey immerses you in the world of distilleries, with vintage machinery and detailed explanations of the sugarcane-to-rum transformation process. The shop offers a wide selection of flavored rums, traditional infusions of fruits and spices in white rum.

The Saint-Gilles-les-Bains resort offers a multitude of sports activities suitable for all levels and interests, easily accessible from the Exsel Alamanda Hotel.

Réunion’s west coast is home to exceptional diving sites, suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike. Several dive centers, located less than a 10-minute drive from the hotel, offer introductory dives, training, and guided outings to explore the richness of underwater ecosystems.

The Réunion Marine Naturellelle Reserve protects these highly biodiverse seabeds, featuring multicolored corals, tropical fish, sea turtles, rays… Each dive offers a privileged encounter with this extraordinary wildlife.

About a 15-minute drive from the Exsel Alamanda Hotel, the Golf du Bassin Bleu offers an 18-hole course in a spectacular setting designed by architect Robert Berthet. Located at 300 meters altitude north of the Saint-Gilles Ravine, it features a unique layout where the omnipresent ravine poses a challenge on several holes. Bassin Bleu is a tropical golf course: lush in the wet season, arid in the dry season, but playable year-round.

Golfers of all levels will find something to enjoy, with options for lessons with professionals or equipment rentals on-site. The golf club’s restaurant also allows you to extend the experience pleasantly after your round.

The Exsel Alamanda Hotel, with its prime location in the heart of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, is an ideal starting point to discover all facets of Réunion Island. Its proximity to Hermitage Beach, easy access to the island’s main attractions, and the quality of its services make it a wise choice for travelers looking to combine beach relaxation with active exploration.

Whether you’re drawn to water sports, mountain hiking, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing in the sun, the hotel’s surroundings offer countless opportunities to enrich your stay. The attentive staff at the establishment will guide you toward the experiences best suited to your desires, ensuring a successful immersion in Réunion’s unique atmosphere.

To fully enjoy all these activities under the best conditions, book your stay now at the Exsel Alamanda Hotel and prepare to experience unforgettable moments on the intense island. Between turquoise seas and towering mountains, Creole culture, and diverse cuisine, your stay promises to be filled with discoveries and emotions.