Éco-Hôtels à Réunion Island
Séjours durables on France's volcanic Indian Ocean gem — same price as Booking.com, 1 tonne de CO₂ éliminée par réservation.
Why Stay Sustainable in Réunion Island?
Réunion Island is France's best-kept secret in the Indian Ocean — a volcanic wonderland where emerald forests crash against black-sand beaches and one of the world's most active volcanoes, Piton de la Fournaise, paints the night sky orange. Unlike its tropical neighbours, Réunion isn't about lazy beach holidays (though it has those too). It's an island that demands you get your boots dirty, hike into ancient calderas, and taste a fusion cuisine born from four centuries of Creole, French, Indian, Tamil, and Chinese influences meeting on a single, breathtaking piece of land.
The island's interior — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010 — is defined by three monumental cirques: Salazie, Cilaos, and Mafate. These natural amphitheatres, carved by erosion over millions of years, are the heart and soul of Réunion. Salazie is a lush waterfall kingdom where the legendary Trou de Fer plunges over 300 metres into a cathedral of green. Cilaos, perched at 1,200 metres, is a haven for hikers and spa-seekers drawn to its thermal waters and lentil fields. Mafate, accessible only by foot or helicopter, remains one of the last inhabited places in the world without roads — a true wilderness for the intrepid traveller.
Choosing a sustainable hotel here means something real. When you book through IMPT, you're not just getting the same room rate you'd find on Booking.com — you're automatically removing 1 tonne of CO₂ from the atmosphere through verified offset projects. Many of our partner hotels in Réunion have their own eco-certifications too: solar-powered water heating, farm-to-table sourcing from local Creole gardens, plastic-free operations, and waste-to-energy programmes that protect the island's delicate UNESCO landscapes. You earn 5% cashback in IMPT tokens on every stay, and new users start with EUR5 in free credit. With over 25,000 green-certified partners across our platform, finding a stay that matches your values has never been easier — or better priced.
From the colonial-era streets of Saint-Denis with its Creole townhouses and bustling Grand Marché, to the lagoon-side restaurants of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains where the sun sets behind humpback whales breaching offshore, Réunion rewards the curious. It's a place where you can summit a 3,000-metre volcano in the morning and swim in a coral lagoon by afternoon. And every sustainable booking you make here helps keep it that way for the next generation.
Réunion Island at a Glance
Top Que Faire à Réunion Island
One of the world's most active volcanoes, erupting regularly without threatening populated areas. Drive up to Pas de Bellecombe for a view over the lunar landscape of the Enclos Fouqué caldera, or hike the 5-hour trail to the crater rim. The volcano's last major eruption in 2023 drew visitors from across the globe to witness nature's raw power.
A natural amphitheatre ringed by jagged peaks reaching over 3,000 metres. Famous for its thermal springs, lentil fields, and the daunting RN5 road with 420 hairpin bends. Don't miss the panoramic views from La Roche Merveilleuse or the challenging ascent to the Piton des Neiges, Réunion's highest point at 3,070 metres.
Accessible only on foot or by helicopter, Mafate is a hiker's paradise — a remote caldera dotted with tiny hamlets (îlets) where time stands still. Multi-day treks connect settlements like La Nouvelle and Marla, with gîtes offering Creole meals and mountain hospitality. The GR R1 and GR R2 trails are among France's finest long-distance routes.
Ranked among France's most beautiful villages, Hell-Bourg sits in the heart of Cirque de Salazie. Its Creole gardens burst with vanilla orchids, tropical flowers, and banana groves. The Maison Folio, a beautifully preserved 19th-century Creole villa, offers a glimpse into the island's plantation-era architecture and botanical heritage.
One of the most dramatic waterfalls on earth, the Trou de Fer ("Iron Hole") plunges over 300 metres into a deep canyon in the Cirque de Salazie. Multiple streams converge and cascade into a lush chasm that feels prehistoric. The viewpoint at the end of the trail from the Bélouve forest is, quite simply, jaw-dropping.
Réunion's premier beach destination on the west coast. The lagoon, protected by a coral reef, offers calm, crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Boucan Canot and Roches Noires are the most popular stretches of sand. From June to October, humpback whales migrate past the coast, often breaching within sight of the shore.
Located in Bourg-Murat near the volcano road, this interactive museum tells the geological story of Réunion's birth from a hotspot in the Earth's crust. Exhibits cover the science of volcanism, the island's formation, and the cultural relationship between Réunionnais people and their fiery mountain. An essential stop before or after visiting Piton de la Fournaise.
Réunion was the birthplace of hand-pollinated vanilla — a technique perfected in 1841 by Edmond Albius, a 12-year-old enslaved boy whose breakthrough revolutionised the global spice trade. Visit plantations in Saint-André and Sainte-Suzanne on the east coast to see vanilla orchids being hand-pollinated and cured, and taste the world's finest Bourbon vanilla.
Où Séjourner in Réunion Island
Réunion offers dramatically different experiences across its regions — each with eco-conscious accommodation options.
Top Éco-Hôtels à Réunion
Walking & Hiking in Réunion
Réunion is one of the world's great hiking destinations, with a network of well-maintained trails crossing UNESCO-listed landscapes.
Piton de la Fournaise Ascent
The classic volcano hike descends into the Enclos Fouqué caldera and climbs across ancient lava flows to the rim of the Dolomieu crater. On clear days, the 360-degree panorama from the summit is unforgettable. Check eruption status at the Maison du Volcan before departing.
GR R2 — Cirque de Mafate to Cilaos
This iconic two-day trek links the roadless Cirque de Mafate with the thermal town of Cilaos. The route crosses the Col du Taïbit at 2,142 metres with jaw-dropping views of both cirques. Overnight at a gîte in Marla, where the lentil soup and rum arrangé taste like heaven after a day on the trail.
Trou de Fer via Salazie
Starting from the Bélouve primary forest — home to ancient tamarind trees and Réunion's rare white-eye bird — this trail leads to a vertiginous viewpoint overlooking the Trou de Fer canyon. Multiple waterfalls plunge into the abyss, and on misty days the whole scene feels like something from a fantasy novel.
Réunion Travel Guides
Best Time to Visit Réunion — Seasonal Guide 2026
When to go for hiking, beach weather, whale watching, and volcano viewing. Dry season vs wet season explained.
Réunion Food Guide — Creole Cuisine & Island Flavours
From cari and rougail to samosas and vanilla — a deep dive into the island's incredible fusion food culture.
Top Que Faire à Réunion — Complete Guide 2026
Volcanoes, cirques, beaches, and Creole villages — the ultimate Réunion bucket list for every traveller.
Nearby Indian Ocean Destinations
Cities & Towns in Réunion
Questions Fréquentes
Are there hôtels écologiques in Réunion Island?
Yes, Réunion Island has over 150 hotels with strong eco-certifications, including many that use solar power, source local organic produce, and operate plastic-free policies. IMPT gives you access to 25,000+ green-certified hotel partners globally, so you can find sustainable stays from beachfront resorts in Saint-Gilles to mountain lodges in Cilaos — all at the same price as Booking.com.
What is the best time to visit Réunion Island?
The best time is May to November (dry season), when temperatures are comfortable for hiking and skies are generally clear — perfect for Piton de la Fournaise and the cirques. December to April is warmer and more humid, with occasional tropical cyclones, but the island is gloriously lush and hotel prices tend to be lower. Whale watching (humpbacks) runs June to October on the west coast.
How does IMPT carbon removal work when booking a hotel?
Every hotel booking through IMPT automatically funds the removal of 1 tonne of CO₂ from the atmosphere via verified carbon offset projects — such as mangrove reforestation in Madagascar and renewable energy installations across Africa. This happens at absolutely no extra cost to you, and the hotel rate is guaranteed to be identical to what you'd pay on Booking.com.
Can I earn rewards by booking eco hotels in Réunion?
Absolutely. Every booking earns you 5% cashback in IMPT tokens, which you can redeem for future travel, gift cards from thousands of retailers, or convert to other cryptocurrencies. New users also receive EUR5 in free credit on their first booking. With 8 million+ hotels available, the rewards add up fast even on short stays.
Which area in Réunion is best for a sustainable stay?
It depends on your travel style. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains on the west coast is ideal for beach lovers and families, with eco-certified resorts fronting the coral lagoon. Cilaos and Salazie in the highlands are perfect for hikers seeking mountain lodges and ecolodges with farm-to-table dining. Saint-Denis offers urban stays with Creole character, while Saint-Pierre in the south blends coastal charm with cultural attractions like the Saga du Rhum museum and lava-formed coastline.