Naïades Locations

Romantic getaway in Réunion Island: the west coast, just the two of you

A romantic getaway in Réunion Island most often unfolds on the west side of the island, between the Ermitage lagoon, the beaches of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and the mountain roads climbing towards the cirques. In just a few days, a couple goes from an early morning swim in translucent water to a sunset over the Indian Ocean, then to a hike in unspoilt nature at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This is exactly the romantic setting Naïades Locations offers you from Saint-Gilles-les-Bains: twelve charming holiday rentals, from an intimate studio for two to a villa with a pool and sea views, and two hosts, Corine and Radj, who know their island inside out. Here are our favourite experiences to share as a couple, and the accommodation that goes with them.

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What to do as a couple in Réunion Island? Our favourite experiences

Romance in Réunion comes down to one precious detail: here, everything is close by. From your holiday rental in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, a single day is enough to combine water sports along the west coast, a Creole lunch in Saint-Leu and dinner on a terrace facing the marina.

Couples on honeymoon appreciate this density of experiences: one day the ocean, the next the mountains, the third a discovery of the wild south.

Add the warm atmosphere of Creole hospitality and the scent of frangipani drifting through the gardens in the late afternoon, and you will understand why Réunion Island has become such a popular destination for a honeymoon as much as for a simple weekend away together.

Sunsets, dinners and gentle nights in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

This is, in our opinion, the most eagerly awaited moment of the day. Around 6:00 PM, the light shifts over Grand Fond and the ocean takes on a coppery tone you will not find anywhere else on the island. Settle onto Roches Noires beach, or climb up to the heights of Saint-Gilles to watch the sun slip below the horizon: the sight is quite breathtaking. After that, everything is within walking distance.

The town centre of this seaside resort is lined with seafront restaurants, where you can discover Creole gastronomy: samoussas as an aperitif, fish carry, tuna tartare caught that very morning. Some couples prefer the opposite: an improvised dinner on the terrace of their rental, under the stars, with produce brought back from the Saint-Paul market on Friday. Our advice: set aside one night for each option.

The Ermitage lagoon and the finest beaches of the west coast

A few minutes from our accommodation, Ermitage beach shelters one of the most beautiful lagoons on the island, fringed with filao trees and calm enough for a swim at daybreak, when the sand still belongs only to early risers.

Classified as a marine nature reserve, this stretch of water is a paradise for snorkelling, among parrotfish and reef corals. A little further north, Boucan Canot unrolls a pale sand beach much loved at the end of the day, while La Saline invites long barefoot walks along the shore.

Between July and October, boat trips and water-based activities departing from Saint-Gilles allow you to watch humpback whales that come to calve in Réunion's waters, often accompanied by dolphins. An unusual, powerful experience, and one you never tell the same way once you have shared it as a couple.

Discover the best beaches in Réunion Island

Volcano, cirques and a flight over Mafate: adventure for two

It would be a shame to limit a couple's stay to the coastline. A little over two hours by road separate Saint-Gilles from Pas de Bellecombe, the gateway to Piton de la Fournaise. Crossing the Plaine des Sables, with its expanses of red lava, feels like a science-fiction set: the best plan is to leave very early, before the clouds roll in, with a light jumper in your bag.

As for the cirques, Cirque de Salazie charms visitors with its greenery, the Voile de la Mariée waterfall and the Creole houses of Hell-Bourg. Cirque de Cilaos, at the end of the road with 400 bends, reveals itself through vineyards, lentil fields and thermal springs, ideal for two days of mountain relaxation. Cirque de Mafate, reachable only on foot, can also be admired from a helicopter flight above its ramparts and hamlets, the ultimate luxury on a honeymoon.

These landscapes are part of the national park and of the property inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: follow a trail through a tamarind forest and you will feel completely alone in the world.

Heading south: Saint-Pierre, Grand Anse and the wild south

For a two or three day circuit, take the southern road. Saint-Pierre and its lively seafront make a good first stop, before Grand Anse, its golden sand and its sheltered natural pool away from the waves, a spot dear to Réunion families on Sundays. The rest of the drive follows a wilder coastline, far from the usual tourist circuits: lava flows that ran down to the ocean at Sainte-Rose, the Notre-Dame-des-Laves church, cliffs battered by the trade winds.

This is the rawest part of Réunion Island, the part that gives the feeling of a land still under construction. On the way back, stop in Saint-Leu for a treatment or a couples massage in one of the west coast spas, the best way to round off a day of discovery.

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Our accommodation for a romantic getaway in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

Naïades Locations has twelve holiday rentals spread across Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and its surroundings, all designed for a completely independent stay, with the freedom to come and go as you please. Two families of properties, depending on the occasion: villas with a pool for larger gatherings, and apartments, bungalows and studios for a stay just for two.

Our villas with pool and sea views

For a special occasion, a wedding anniversary or a wedding celebrated with family or a group, Villa Macatia welcomes up to ten guests in a contemporary setting, with four air-conditioned bedrooms, a private pool and an exceptional panoramic view over the ocean and Grand Fond, an eight-minute walk from the beach.

Villa Aloues't, 50 meters from the lagoon, sleeps up to twelve guests and blends modern architecture with Creole touches around its pool and tropical garden.

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After the finish line: recovery in the lagoon and island discovery

For a romantic stay, Studio Passion remains our safe bet: an air-conditioned bedroom, a fitted kitchen, a dining corner and a terrace with a deckchair where you can enjoy breakfast in the shade of the garden. Studio Cassia, also designed for two guests, offers the same cocooning spirit at the back of the garden.

Looking for a little more space? Bungalow T3 Jasmin enjoys beautiful natural shade and a terrace with a barbecue, while Apartment T3 Vanille sets you down in the heart of a tropical garden, a few steps from the Ermitage lagoon.

In every property, the essential services are included: WiFi, air conditioning, bed linen and towels, and private parking.

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Book your romantic getaway in Réunion Island with Naïades Locations

There are trips we remember in fragments, and others that leave a memory whole: the colour of the lagoon at daybreak, the silence of the cirque, the last sunset before departure. A romantic getaway in Réunion Island belongs to the second kind.

Check availability, discover our villas, studios and bungalows, and enjoy the best rate along with our current offers.

Book your stay on the official website

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about your romantic getaway in Réunion Island

When is the best time for a romantic getaway in Réunion Island?

The austral winter, from May to November, brings together the best conditions: dry weather, gentle warmth, pleasant sea temperatures. From July to October, whale watching departing from Saint-Gilles is added to the mix. The austral summer, hotter and more humid, remains perfect for swimming in the Ermitage lagoon.

Where should couples stay in Réunion Island?

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is the ideal base for a stay as a couple: beaches, lagoon, restaurants and marina all on foot, with the cirques and the volcano reachable in a day. Our studios, bungalows and apartments sit just minutes from the sea, in quiet tropical gardens.

Which accommodation should I choose for a honeymoon in Réunion Island?

For two guests, Studio Passion and Studio Cassia offer the intimacy of a true cocoon with a private terrace. For a wedding celebrated with family or friends, Villa Macatia with its sea view, or Villa Aloues't 50 metres from the lagoon, both have a private pool.

Do you need to rent a car for a stay as a couple?

Yes, a car remains essential to reach Piton de la Fournaise, the cirques or the wild south in complete freedom. Direct flights from Paris land at Roland Garros airport, in Saint-Denis, around 40 minutes from our accommodation. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, on the other hand, is very easy to explore on foot.

How can I book a Naïades Locations rental at the best rate?

Booking directly on our official website guarantees the best available price, with no intermediary. You can check availability across our twelve properties, select your dates and confirm in a few clicks. You can also contact us for help choosing the right accommodation.

Are bed linen and towels provided in the rentals?

Yes, bed linen and towels are provided in all of our rentals, as are WiFi access, air conditioning and parking. Baby equipment is available on request in several apartments and bungalows, to be specified when you book.