LUX Saint Gilles

We stayed for 3 nights, we're not beach resort people but wanted a stopover break and we like to stay in 4/5 star if possible so chose this resort. Supposedly 5 star but I would say in comparison to other places we've stayed around the world, it's 4 star at most. ||No kids during time we stayed so nice and peaceful! We went mid week so not packed, good food (we loved the fish dishes and salads) although catering more for French tastes obviously (if you want a cup of tea it requires a spot of negotiation the French don't drink it really). We really enjoyed La Plage restaurant and ate there every night, also the restaurant by the bar was good for snacks and to just sit and relax, breakfast was buffet which was fine. ||French feel as expected, staff speak English (some better than others) so we got by also using some of our faltering French but it really wasn't a problem, all the staff we encountered were polite, friendly and helpful. We didn't find there was any issues being English in what is a French resort with predominantly French or French speaking Europeans. ||Rooms were okay, we had an upstairs suite away from the hotel looking across to the beach, which I liked better than being downstairs but there were a few issues. We didn't like the separate toilet with no washbasin and the bathroom had no shower, the bath was so deep that you need to be rather flexible to get into it to get under the shower attachment. Anyone elderly or with mobility problems would have had great difficulty getting in and out easily. Also the sink wasn't practical for doing anything more than washing your hands it was so shallow and water splashed everywhere. ||No usb ports anywhere in the room which I would expect (the one behind the TV didn't work) luckily I bought an adaptor which I could put into the shaver port to charge my phone and ipad but I would expect a 5 star hotel to have these fitted as standard these days. TV was limited, almost all French programmes, there was one English speaking news channel but that was it. ||There's a nice beach very close by with the lagoon protected by the reef so safe for swimming and if your idea of bliss is sitting by the pool or on the beach on a lounger all day then this place is for you, but it's looking a bit tired in some places and could do with a bit of a face lift (bathrooms should be refitted for example).

I can understand that this might not pass as a 5-star in other places, but from what I have seen this is probably still the nicest hotel in Reunion. We had a lovely stay here and when we encoutered some issues, the staff was extremely helpful and resolved everything to our total satisfaction. If you come here after seeing one of the LUX hotels in Mauritius, you might be a little disappointed but I think this hotel is a good example of the fact that at Reunion, all the services cost twice as much compared to Mauritius while being generally worse.

We spent a couple of days in Lux St Gilles for our honeymoon - we loved it! From the moment we arrived, the service was incredible. We received delicious drinks on arrival and the staff were exceptionally welcoming and friendly and couldn't do enough to help. We were checked in efficiently and then given a tour to our room and around the property. We were upgraded which was a lovely surprise and the room was breath-taking. The scenery can only be described as paradise. The food was also amazing and so tasty and again, the staff were fantastic. There was plenty to do with a short walk into the next village to go whale watching as well as having the beach at the hotel to just sit and relax. Our only regret is that we did not stay long enough!! We will definitely be back! Thank you again to Lux St Gilles and all the staffing team.

Lux St Gilles is a beautiful colonial hotel situated in the upmarket St Gilles area of Reunion Island. Set on extensive grounds with an adjoining beach and lagoon protected by coral reef, Lux is probably one of the few beachfront hotels in Reunion where swimming is possible with no fear of shark attacks. As it's right on the west coast, sunsets are probably the best time to enjoy the beach. ||Sadly, as other reviewers have noted, there ends the superlatives. ||The property is dated and in dire need of refurbishment. Rooms are small and tired, not quite what you might expect of 5 stars in 2024. We were unfortunate to have extremely noisy neighbours who were audible from indoors as sliding doors were not soundproof, but guest relations officer Nathalie kindly and swiftly moved us to a quieter part of the hotel.||Dining options varied – from the very average though adequate buffets at La Cuisine to beach-front La Plage which offered very good grill and pasta selections, which we found enjoyable. L’ Orangine, the high-end restaurant was over-rated in my view and had limited options for diners with allergies or intolerances, particularly dairy intolerance. Nearly all the dishes at L’Orangine require supplements even if you are on half/full board or all-inclusive, be warned. The Bar also serves food but we did not try it. All four restaurants have to be pre-booked for dinner and this should be done at the start of your trip because as many as two of the four restaurants can be closed each day. ||With the lack of – and difficulty in recruiting – hotel staff as an understandable constraint, the standard of service and hospitality suffer. The staff on duty frequently appeared to be rushed off their feet. Of the handful who do try their best and stay cheerful while at it, Ludovic at breakfast service was exemplary. He is a true professional who delivers exceptional “Lux” service. He made English speakers feel at ease and kindly remembered my breakfast order and how I liked my coffee each morning. Henry at L’Cuisine dinner noticed I had lost my napkin and without my asking for it, brought wipes. These small gestures go a long way to help guests relax and feel cared for. ||There is a small gym on premise but it is unmanned and you are meant to wipe the equipment before and after use (perhaps switch the A/C on yourself too). Quite a difference from other Lux hotels in Mauritius where you have one-to-one attention from on-premise trainers. Again, not quite what you might expect in “first-world” France and a 5-star hotel. There is no spa but treatments can be booked and are offered at beach-front cabanas. There are no water sport facilities that I could see – perhaps the sea is too rough for sailing or other sports. ||There are lots to see on Reunion Island itself – such varied landscape, amazing views and deep history – so much so that we found our 5 days not quite enough. Thankfully, Melvyn at concierge helped us plan our time. However, we did have to identify our own drivers or tour guides for more competitive prices, as it is France and transport/tour services are expensive. A 7-minute taxi ride to nearby St Gilles town and back might cost EU30-40 for example. Though relatively well-connected by buses, most of the tourist sites are a distance away and hiring your own car is probably the best way to get around. ||All in, a comfortable stay lifted by small gestures of kindness from some of the staff but one has to manage one’s expectations.

If your English this is definitely a review for you.. i paid for my son and daughter in law to come to this hotel for 4 days as part of a 2 centre package with Mauritius for their honeymoon, well where do I start with what I have been told, they were ignored when trying to buy drinks, they were not made to feel special at all with it being their honeymoon, they were invited for a meal on Sunday night and an hour before a note was put under their door to say the restaurant was closed and they would have to go to the buffet, with no apology and they have evidence that the restaurant was actually closed on a Sunday so why did the hotel tell them they could go, in fact it sounds pretty clear the hotel had no intention of doing a meal for them and singled them out to be made to feel like 2nd rate citizens. They were made to feel extremely unwelcome as if they had just walked off the streets because they don't speak french. Out of all the staff only 3 made an effort with them. They actually couldn't wait to leave the hotel, which for their honeymoon was utterly devastating to hear. I have lodged a formal complaint with the tour operator I used and they are investigating. Extremely disappointed as I was told this was a 5* hotel with 5* service and from what I've been told and the videos I've been sent it's no more than a 3 at best. They said they would NOT recommend anyone unless you speak french to go to this hotel.

LUX Saint Gilles in Réunion is a tropical paradise! Nestled by a pristine beach, it offers stunning views, luxurious rooms, and exceptional service. The lush gardens, diverse dining options, and relaxing pool make it perfect for a peaceful getaway. A must-visit for an unforgettable island retreat!

As other reviews have mentioned, this hotel is definitely not of 5 star standard. It is a bit tired and in need of renovation, and whilst the service was fine, it wasn’t what we had expected.|The grounds, beach and pool are all lovely. Rooms are nice and bed very comfy. Bathroom looks old and tired. |Food at the hotel is really overpriced. A small lunch and two soft drinks for two people cost about £70! |Breakfast was nice with a good range of options, but there were hundreds of ants in all the sugar pots 🤢|A bit underwhelming but still a lovely stay. We went on to stay in the Lux Grand Gaube in Mauritius which was exceptional and definitely more in line with our expectations.

Faded and not well maintained "5 star" hotel. Very disappointed with the rooms, old fittings and dark. Not worth the money they are asking. Friendly staff and nice public areas.