Ô cœur de l'île in Salazie, guest rooms for hikers
Ô cœur de l'île is a guest house in Salazie, La Réunion, in Grand Îlet, close to the walking routes into Mafate. Guests get a room, breakfast, a garden and a hot tub. It suits walkers who want a warm welcome, less those who need flexible hot tub hours.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Ô cœur de lîle.
Where Ô cœur de l'île is, in Salazie
Ô cœur de l'île is a guest house in Salazie, on La Réunion, on the Route Départementale 52. Visitors place it in Grand Îlet, a calm, green village where many walks start. For anyone who wants to walk to Mafate, the location is its strongest point.
According to the listing, the Cirque de Mafate is 9.1 km away and the Cirque de Salazie 17 km. Roland Garros airport is 53 km away, so a car is the practical way to arrive. A parking space is available, which several reviews mention. One guest notes that Grand Îlet is a little far from Hell-Bourg, while pointing out that many trails start from the village itself.
What the rooms and garden are like
At Ô cœur de l'île, reviews talk of recent, spacious, well-equipped rooms. For the annex room, one couple remembers a large bathroom and plenty of quiet. Others stayed in a bungalow that they describe as spotless, with the advertised equipment. Wi-Fi is free.
Outside there is a well-kept garden with a terrace, and a hot tub with a lovely view. A shared kitchen is also mentioned. Reviews refer to a room, a bungalow and an annex, so ask when you book which one you will be given.
The hot tub, breakfast and the host guests love
Three things come up in almost every positive review. They sum up what people come here for after a day of walking.
- The hot tub. Several guests cite it as the high point of the day, between two walks, with a view over the cirque.
- Breakfast. Described as generous and served à la carte, and judged very good. Some reviews say it costs extra, so check what your rate includes.
- The host. Kindness, advice on trails and restaurants, and a small beer on arrival for one couple.
- Calm. The place is described as quiet, with a sunrise that one guest calls magical.
What travellers say
On Google the rating is 4.8 from 52 reviews. Nearly all the comments I read give five stars, and they talk about the same things: the welcome, the comfort of the rooms, the hot tub and the ideal position for heading to Mafate via the Col des Bœufs.
Several guests describe the house as a place to rest before tackling the Mafate cirque. One even mentions a personalised breakfast, which says a lot about the attention given to guests.
What to know before booking
There is one shadow. A traveller, some years ago, felt caught out by the hot tub hours, which were limited to one afternoon slot and not specified before arrival. They also talk of sheets that smelled damp and a host who would not budge. It is a single review next to many very warm ones, but it is worth reading.
A more recent guest mentions a thirty-minute daily access. So rules seem to exist, and they are not always the same. My advice is to ask for the hours before booking, especially if it rains, because one review says afternoons in Grand Îlet are often wet.
| What guests like | What to know |
|---|---|
| Walking start for Mafate | Hell-Bourg is a bit far |
| Welcome and host advice | Confirm the hot tub hours |
| Generous breakfast | It may cost extra |
| Parking and calm | A car is recommended for getting there |
Who it suits, and what to do around Salazie
I would choose Ô cœur de l'île if I were coming to walk, for hikers who want to sleep near the Col des Bœufs and finish the day in a warm bath. It also suits couples who like a personal welcome. I would not recommend it to anyone who wants hotel services or unrestricted hot tub access at any time.
Around Salazie, the obvious plan is to head for Mafate, but you can also walk to Hell-Bourg from Grand Îlet. Ask your host for advice, which guests describe as very generous with good tips on trails and tables.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.