Palm Spa (Palm Hôtel)

Palm Spa is the spa of the Palm Hôtel & Spa, located on Rue du Lagon in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, the main seaside resort of Réunion's west coast in the French Indian Ocean. The setting is a hotel spa close to the lagoon, in a part of the island known for sheltered beaches, snorkelling and a relaxed resort atmosphere. The spa's treatment menu mixes tropical themes with classic spa techniques. Listed treatments include a tropical stone massage, a hammam, an anti-jet-lag treatment aimed at long-haul arrivals from Europe, and an island ritual that combines a scrub, a wrap and a massage in one session. The island ritual is the most complete way to sample the menu and a sensible first choice for visitors with the time. Sessions are listed at 60 to 180 minutes, and prices run from about €60 to €160 per treatment, making it one of the more accessible hotel spas on the west coast. The spa has a guest rating of around 4.4. It is open daily from 09:00 to 20:00, an hour later than several other spas in the town, which suits late-afternoon appointments after a day at the beach. As with most hotel spas in Saint-Gilles, reservations are the norm, especially for the longer rituals and in the May to October dry season when the coast is busiest; walk-in space may be available but is not guaranteed. Visitors who are not staying at the hotel can generally ask the reception or the spa desk about availability. Details of therapists' training, pools or relaxation areas should be confirmed directly with the property. The anti-jet-lag treatment is a practical choice on the first day after the long flight from mainland France, while the hammam and stone massage suit a restful day between island hikes and lagoon activities.