Barely had the luggage been retrieved at Roland-Garros Airport after a flight with Air Austral, when the stage was set.
Here, staying in one place for long is simply not an option. Réunion invites movement, and Exotismes built its eductour with this spirit in mind, alternating natural discoveries, meetings and visits to establishments with very different positions on the market.
The first stop is Saint-Leu, an iconic seaside resort on the West Coast. Facing the lagoon, the Santa Apolonia residence perfectly illustrates the kind of clientele Réunion can attract: families, groups of friends or travelers who wish to explore the island on their own, thanks to fully equipped apartments.
A few hundred meters further, a switch of register with Exsel Alamanda. More accessible, this hotel bets on a friendly atmosphere and a prime location just steps from the beach. Two establishments, two clienteles, and already a first glimpse of Réunion’s diverse offering.
But quickly, the lure of the interior calls louder.
Here, staying in one place for long is simply not an option. Réunion invites movement, and Exotismes built its eductour with this spirit in mind, alternating natural discoveries, meetings and visits to establishments with very different positions on the market.
The first stop is Saint-Leu, an iconic seaside resort on the West Coast. Facing the lagoon, the Santa Apolonia residence perfectly illustrates the kind of clientele Réunion can attract: families, groups of friends or travelers who wish to explore the island on their own, thanks to fully equipped apartments.
A few hundred meters further, a switch of register with Exsel Alamanda. More accessible, this hotel bets on a friendly atmosphere and a prime location just steps from the beach. Two establishments, two clienteles, and already a first glimpse of Réunion’s diverse offering.
But quickly, the lure of the interior calls louder.
Immersion in the Heart of the Island’s Intense Landscapes
The next day, the alarm sounds before sunrise.
Direction Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Aboard the 4x4s, a Mille Tours activity, the agents traverse pastures and then the vast mineral plains where the scenery suddenly shifts to landscapes reminiscent of the Moon or Mars.
“In just a few kilometres, you completely change your universe”, sums up Vincent, one of the participants.
This excursion perfectly illustrates what makes Réunion so special: a sequence of experiences and landscapes packed into a single day.
The contrast is just as striking in the evening with the arrival at Wood Hotel & Spa, a recently opened four-star address in Trois-Bassins.
Open to the sea, the property emphasizes contemporary design, well-being, and an eco-responsible approach. The Sunset Live events, held every week, have already become one of the hotel’s must-see appointments.
Direction Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Aboard the 4x4s, a Mille Tours activity, the agents traverse pastures and then the vast mineral plains where the scenery suddenly shifts to landscapes reminiscent of the Moon or Mars.
“In just a few kilometres, you completely change your universe”, sums up Vincent, one of the participants.
This excursion perfectly illustrates what makes Réunion so special: a sequence of experiences and landscapes packed into a single day.
The contrast is just as striking in the evening with the arrival at Wood Hotel & Spa, a recently opened four-star address in Trois-Bassins.
Open to the sea, the property emphasizes contemporary design, well-being, and an eco-responsible approach. The Sunset Live events, held every week, have already become one of the hotel’s must-see appointments.
Places to Suit Every Desire
As you reach Cilaos along its famous 400-turn road, the scenery changes once again.
At Le Vieux Cep, Creole architecture and gardens evoke the charm of the island’s historic hotels.
A few steps away, Tsilaosa leans toward a more intimate approach with only twenty-two rooms and a cellar where tastings and wine workshops are organized, offering a unique experience that, even on Réunion, evokes the conviviality and warmth of a winter raclette.
At lunchtime, another facet of the island of intensity unfolds.
At Tapacala, travelers come not only to share a meal. The owners also open the doors of their farm and invite visitors to discover their daily life. An immersive experience that illustrates the growth of encounter tourism on the island.
Then back to the coast with Papangue Hotel & Spa, a recently opened establishment focused on sustainable development, before ending the day at LUX Saint-Gilles. Set directly on the lagoon, the five-star offers a completely different face of the destination.
Villas and apartments scattered across a tropical park, four restaurants, a huge pool and premium services complete an offering where every category of guest can now find happiness.
At Le Vieux Cep, Creole architecture and gardens evoke the charm of the island’s historic hotels.
A few steps away, Tsilaosa leans toward a more intimate approach with only twenty-two rooms and a cellar where tastings and wine workshops are organized, offering a unique experience that, even on Réunion, evokes the conviviality and warmth of a winter raclette.
At lunchtime, another facet of the island of intensity unfolds.
At Tapacala, travelers come not only to share a meal. The owners also open the doors of their farm and invite visitors to discover their daily life. An immersive experience that illustrates the growth of encounter tourism on the island.
Then back to the coast with Papangue Hotel & Spa, a recently opened establishment focused on sustainable development, before ending the day at LUX Saint-Gilles. Set directly on the lagoon, the five-star offers a completely different face of the destination.
Villas and apartments scattered across a tropical park, four restaurants, a huge pool and premium services complete an offering where every category of guest can now find happiness.
“The Self-Drive Tour, the Best Way to Discover Réunion”
Before leaving Réunion, the program still has a surprise in store: a helicopter overflight of Mafate Cirque.
From above, the agents take in the island’s dramatic relief and understand why the self-drive tour remains the destination’s flagship product, insists Armelle Labesse, director of the inbound operator.
Visits continue with Exsel Ermitage, Résidence Tropic Appart’Hôtel, Relais de l’Hermitage and Le Récif, establishments that round out the range offered by Exotismes, from budget stays to family hotels facing the lagoon.
For Mille Tours teams, Exotismes’ long-time partner, this diversity is precisely one of Réunion’s major strengths: enabling a personalized itinerary without ever sacrificing the quality of accommodations.
From above, the agents take in the island’s dramatic relief and understand why the self-drive tour remains the destination’s flagship product, insists Armelle Labesse, director of the inbound operator.
Visits continue with Exsel Ermitage, Résidence Tropic Appart’Hôtel, Relais de l’Hermitage and Le Récif, establishments that round out the range offered by Exotismes, from budget stays to family hotels facing the lagoon.
For Mille Tours teams, Exotismes’ long-time partner, this diversity is precisely one of Réunion’s major strengths: enabling a personalized itinerary without ever sacrificing the quality of accommodations.
In Mauritius, the hotel becomes the heart of the journey
Just forty-five minutes of flight are enough to completely change the scene.
While Réunion invites you to explore its cirques, volcanoes or villages, Mauritius places the hotel at the center of the stay. Each establishment has its own identity and atmosphere and tells a different story; the Attitude range is a perfect example.
Behind this diversity, one common thread: preserving the Mauritian soul. Whatever the hotel concept, the Attitude group expresses this local identity according to the expectations of each clientele, whether couples seeking tranquility, families, or travelers looking for a deeper immersion.
At Sunrise Attitude, adults-only, everything is designed to foster calm and disconnection.
Tropical Attitude opens directly onto Trou-d’Eau-Douce lagoon and emphasizes a relaxed seaside vibe. Friday Attitude offers a more family-friendly atmosphere, while Zilwa Attitude, one of the group’s flagship properties, multiplies restaurants, pools, water activities and even provides access to a private island.
Between visits, participants also discover L’Aventure du Sucre, a Kreola-branded activity delving into Mauritius’s history, before sharing a dinner at a local home, in line with Attitude’s aim to highlight local culture.
While Réunion invites you to explore its cirques, volcanoes or villages, Mauritius places the hotel at the center of the stay. Each establishment has its own identity and atmosphere and tells a different story; the Attitude range is a perfect example.
Behind this diversity, one common thread: preserving the Mauritian soul. Whatever the hotel concept, the Attitude group expresses this local identity according to the expectations of each clientele, whether couples seeking tranquility, families, or travelers looking for a deeper immersion.
At Sunrise Attitude, adults-only, everything is designed to foster calm and disconnection.
Tropical Attitude opens directly onto Trou-d’Eau-Douce lagoon and emphasizes a relaxed seaside vibe. Friday Attitude offers a more family-friendly atmosphere, while Zilwa Attitude, one of the group’s flagship properties, multiplies restaurants, pools, water activities and even provides access to a private island.
Between visits, participants also discover L’Aventure du Sucre, a Kreola-branded activity delving into Mauritius’s history, before sharing a dinner at a local home, in line with Attitude’s aim to highlight local culture.
