Hotel Le Victoria

Hotel Le Victoria is centered around a large swimming pool which overlooks the ocean. Here you can spend your days relaxing on sun-loungers while sipping exotic cocktails. The hotel is set in a spectacular tropical garden and has an outdoor-indoor restaurant, which overlooks the pool and ocean. Everything from buffet breakfasts (including ham, eggs, cheese and croissants) to speciality dinners is served at the restaurant. There's also a small library, bar and outdoor sitting area available to guests.

Le Victoria has 27 guest rooms in total, ranging from standard to deluxe to ocean-view suites. Each room comes equipped with a private bathroom (including excellent showers), satellite TV, a minibar and an outdoor balcony or terrace. Select Superior Rooms also include kitchenettes with fridges, microwaves and dining areas. Echoing the theme of the restaurant, each room is decorated in simple blue and white tones, with timber furnishings. You can enjoy the soothing sound of the sea from your room.

Besides sunbathing around the pool, guests can sign up for aqua aerobics offered on select days. The hotel's relatively remote location makes it worthwhile renting a car to get around. By car you're 10 minutes away from Grand Anse (one of the island's best beaches) and 15 minutes away from Saint Pierre, with its many trendy restaurants and cafés. Other activities on the island include mountain trekking, golfing, seeing the Piton de la Fournaise volcano and visiting a vanilla plantation.