Hôtel Le Soleil Couchant

I am very pleased with my stay at this hotel. I was visiting La Réunion for the first time on my own as a young but by no means inexperienced traveller. The staff were exceedingly helpful, the meals I ate at the hotel were of a very high quality (prepared using local ingredients, giving me the chance to try local cuisine) and the room was very spacious (one room being just a shower!!) and cleaned immaculately every day. The hotel was in a brilliant location, within 5km from the busy Saint Pierre, the second biggest town on the island and undoubtedly the biggest tourist town. With this hotel you get the best of both worlds, quiet and isolated whilst remaining very close to the islands big towns and artery roads (a major crossroads). At night, the hotel was very quiet and I had no problems sleeping and the view from the terrace was unbroken hills and beauty until Saint Pierre and the Indian Ocean one side and the Cirque de Cilaos and le Piton des Neiges the other. Every morning my breakfast was served overlooking this breathtaking view, seconds from my room. The pool was well maintained and shared this view. One criticism and one piece of advice: you MUST have a car to visit the island full stop but this hotel is inaccessible without one (5km of very very windy, uphill roads) and unfortunately the wifi didn't stretch to my hotel room but was available in all communal areas. Despite the fact that I am a French speaker, it was by no means imperative. The TV had English channels and all the staff spoke English Well enough to get by. If you are looking for a personable hotel with a friendly (and helpful) manager, nice breakfasts, unrivalled views and a clean, quiet base for your explorations of this stunning island then this is the place for you. My two weeks were amazing. Un grand merci à tout le monde au Soleil Couchant!!