Le Bas de Cilaos

Parking is difficult, so you’ll want a small car. The place is compact and fairly priced, with a nice terrace and decent bathroom. It’s quite well equipped for cooking, though the kitchen pump needs replacing.

The location is very good, and you can park across the road, but the apartment has a serious ventilation issue and is really damp. With rain in Cilaos, you’d expect somewhere to hang wet hiking gear, yet there was nowhere. On arrival there was a puddle with a rug soaking in it. The parking situation depends on everyone being considerate, and I had to wake the neighbors on the very first morning. Such a shame.

The location and setting were exceptional and seemed perfect for a restful stay, which makes me sorry and disappointed about how things went. Studio 1 was well equipped and had a magnificent view, but it was very humid and smelled of it. My seven-year-old son has allergies, and the dampness brought on severe allergy and asthma attacks. There was mold on the curtains too. When we got back from dinner, the studio was full of small cockroaches, at least fifteen, on the kitchen counter, bed, and walls. I know insects can happen anywhere on an island, but this was far beyond one or two. I couldn’t sleep that night because I was so uncomfortable. Geneviève kindly brought us insecticide the next day. We used it before going out to dinner on the second night, but there were still some when we returned, and we slept with the unpleasant smell of tupic even after airing the room for about an hour. The owner should perhaps have the place treated to prevent this happening again, and find a way to deal with the damp for people with asthma or allergies.

From the terraces, you get superb views of Taibit and Piton des Neiges. The cottages are beautiful, fully equipped, and decorated with good taste. They’re right at the entrance to Cilaos, so everything is within walking distance.