Hotel Du Centre

ST. Denis is small enough that you can walk everywhere, and Reunion is expensive, so having a budget hotel leaves more money for beer and such. It’s a good place for the price, with plenty of character in a run-down part of town. Backpacking me would have called it an upmarket treat. The WiFi is Hotspot !!! Lucky to find somewhere this affordable on Reunion.

On May 21 I had to stop in Reunion unexpectedly and was told by the airport information desk that the hotel had rooms, so I didn’t need to book ahead. There were rooms, but when I arrived at 9 pm, the rude receptionist offered me an unkempt room on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. It was full of mosquitoes, and I had to beg for repellent. I’ve never felt so cheated.

The staff were friendly and the location in the north end of town is good, but the rooms were very untidy and damp. There’s nothing to see or do near the hotel. It feels more like a hostel. With some cleaning, it could be a decent budget hotel.

The room was cramped and faced the terrace, with no proper window. There was too much noise and no privacy, so we couldn’t sleep properly. Guests talked there late into the night, then staff started setting up the terrace for breakfast at 5 am. Bad experience, and far too expensive for what it is.