Hotel Alamanda

This island hotel has a distinct Creole flavour. Its main building is painted in white, with French doors that open onto balconies and a lush tropical garden. There are two open-air restaurants where local and international dishes can be enjoyed, and a large pool, which is heated between June and September. Head to the terrace bar for exotic cocktails and join in the fun as local dancers and musicians make regular appearances for themed entertainment evenings.​

Even though Hotel Alamanda's guest bedrooms are small, they offer all the trimmings for a comfortable stay. Single, double and twin rooms all have en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs (with satellite channels), safes, minibars and hairdryers. The bright and airy interiors reflect the vibrant colours of life on Reunion Island: vivid pink and turquoise fabrics are complemented by simple wooden floors and local art on the walls. For a quiet night's sleep, request a room situated away from the nearby nightclubs.

Reunion Island is a treasure trove of adventure activities: its relatively small size makes it easy to hike through a jungle in the morning and sunbathe on a beach in the afternoon. The hotel's 24-hour reception staff are on standby to arrange cycling, diving and horseback riding trips. Other must-dos include a hike through the island's gigantic calderas, a visit to Piton de la Fournaise Volcano and a tour of a vanilla plantation. Also of interest is the nearby Saint-Paul Market and La Saga du Rhum (rum museum and distillery.)