Gîtes in Reunion Island: the best addresses in the cirques and highlands
Reunion Island is a hiker's paradise. Camping or wild camping gives you the most freedom, but the cirque gîtes(simple guesthouses in Mafate and Salazie) are the places to choose if you want to combine trekking with a bit of comfort. Wood-fired Creole cooking, half board and a family atmosphere are what a Reunion Island gîte is all about. Here's a verified selection of the 6 most iconic addresses.
A jewel of the Indian Ocean, Reunion Island has many faces: dramatic landscapes, a blended culture and exceptional hiking. A hiker's paradise, the island invites you to explore its natural heritage on foot, across cirques, peaks and tropical forests. For travellers making their way across the trails of Mafate, Salazie or Plaine des Chicots, the gîte remains the go-to place to stay.
My selection brings together 6 authentic addresses run by families or mountain refuges, where the welcome and the cooking are the signature. Expect generally €20 to €50 per person per night, or around €45-55 for half board (bunk, Creole dinner and breakfast), unbeatable value for the quality of experience on offer.
For other types of accommodation, see also my camping (11 spots, from €5/person), unusual stays (bubble, dome, glamping, lodge), or free wild camping (31 spots) pages.
Gîtes in brief
Gîtes in Mafate (3)
The roadless cirque, accessible on foot only. Three iconic gîtes at the heart of the îlets: Chez Jimmy at Marla (a festive atmosphere), Chez Tatie Jo at Aurère (a warm welcome), and Chez le facteur at Îlet des Orangers (a unique experience).
Gîtes in Salazie (1)
The island's greenest cirque, accessible by car. Le Guétali at Grand-Îlet is one of Salazie's best-rated places to stay (8.7/10), with panoramic rooms and terraces.
Gîtes in Plaine des Chicots (north) (1)
The Refuge de la Roche Écrite is the essential stopover for climbing its 2,277m summit, with a panoramic sunrise over Salazie and Mafate.
Gîtes in Western highlands (1)
Chez Paule et Jo at Dos d'Âne, the northern gateway to Mafate, known for Chef Mathieu's cooking and its family atmosphere.
FAQ: gîtes in Reunion Island
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Not in the mood for a gîte? Other accommodation
11 campsites (from €5/person)
Camping in a cirque or by the sea. The 3-star Ermitage Lagon in Saint-Gilles. My verified selection.
Unusual stays (from €130)
A glass bubble in Cilaos, a geodesic dome, glamping, a premium lodge. 4 handpicked spots.
31 free wild camping spots
Free wild camping in areas set up by the municipalities or the national park.