50 years of history.
50 years of breathtaking sunsets.
50 years of memories shared across generations of travellers.
A true icon of the west coast and of Mauritius itself, La Pirogue pays vibrant tribute to its heritage, its teams, its loyal guests, and the living culture that has shaped its soul for half a century.
An Iconic Hotel Inspired by Mauritian Heritage
Conceived from the outset as a tribute to traditional Mauritian fishing villages, La Pirogue stands out for its unique architecture designed by Dutch architect Joseph Van Melick. Its single-storey bungalows, built with volcanic stone walls and thatched roofs evoking the sail of a pirogue, are nestled in the heart of a magnificent 14-hectare coconut grove overlooking the lagoon of Flic en Flac.
Over the decades, the gardens have undergone several major transformations. Originally, the filaos trees typically found along the Mauritian coastline were replaced with coconut palms for both practical and aesthetic reasons. The sharp seeds of the filao tree carpeting the ground require constant maintenance, prevent grass from growing, and can be particularly uncomfortable—or even painful—for barefoot guests.
Today, the resort boasts a spectacular 14-hectare coconut grove with nearly 1,800 coconut trees and over 9,000 tropical plants.
Designed as a natural and soothing sanctuary, the gardens are maintained daily by a dedicated team of gardeners committed to preserving the site’s ecological balance. Over time, La Pirogue has also introduced several endemic Mauritian species into its gardens, such as olive wood, gastonia, and the blue latan palm, further strengthening its commitment to preserving the island’s natural heritage.
A Story Shaped by the Women and Men of La Pirogue
A pioneer of Mauritian hospitality, the resort broke new ground at its opening by recruiting 120 young women—an unprecedented move at the time in a largely male-dominated industry.
Today, this human dimension remains one of the resort’s core pillars: some employees have decades of service, embodying the living memory of the establishment.
All testimonials tell the same story of deep attachment: La Pirogue is described as a “family,” a “university” where people learn, grow, and evolve together. Many employees began in modest positions before working their way up, supported by a culture of knowledge sharing, respect, and recognition. This exceptional loyalty is reflected in the relationship with multi-generational repeat guests. Many staff members speak with pride about welcoming returning guests year after year—sometimes accompanied by their children or grandchildren—and greeting them as one would close friends.
Repeater Guests: Why Do They Keep Coming Back?
La Pirogue has always championed sincere, simple, and deeply human hospitality, where Mauritian authenticity is experienced daily through the welcome, gastronomy, tropical gardens, and the special bond between teams and guests. Some guests have even returned every year since the resort opened in 1976. For many, La Pirogue is not a resort, but “a home away from home.”
Testimonials from loyal repeat guests all echo the same sentiment: this is a place where you are recognized, expected, and welcomed like a family member. Staff know guests’ habits, first names, culinary preferences, or even their favourite bungalow—an increasingly rare level of attention that has become the resort’s signature.
They also speak of La Pirogue’s unique atmosphere: tranquillity despite the resort’s size, sunsets over the Indian Ocean, the rustling of coconut palms, and the rare sensation of being suspended in time.
A perfect alchemy between place, nature, people, and emotion—making La Pirogue a destination for 50 years.
Over the years, La Pirogue has also welcomed leading international personalities, reinforcing its status as an iconic Mauritian destination. In 1994, during an official visit to Mauritius as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh stayed at La Pirogue and inaugurated the resort’s two Royal Suites.
50 Years of History and Emotion
Throughout this year, a special anniversary program will unfold both on social media and within the resort: stories from repeat guests, photo exhibitions, the launch of a book, competitions, and cultural events.
The highlight of the celebrations will take place on December 1, 2026, bringing together tour operators, media, and partners.
Key moments of the 2026 event program include:
Stories from loyal guests (repeaters)
Each month, La Pirogue will spotlight a loyal guest on its digital platforms.
Employee testimonials
Long-serving team members will share “the story of La Pirogue.”
Photo exhibition
An immersive exhibition, drawing from La Pirogue’s archives and guest contributions, will be displayed in the resort’s gardens.
A book of 50 recipes
An exclusive publication officially unveiled on June 7, 2026.
December 1, 2026
The major anniversary event celebrating 50 years of La Pirogue, attended by tour operators, press, and local and international partners.
Two Resorts, One Hotel
La Pirogue adjoins Sugar Beach, another Sunlife hotel located on the same stretch of white sand at Flic en Flac. This close proximity offers numerous benefits to guests of both resorts, who can enjoy the facilities of each property regardless of where they are staying. While each resort has its own style and personality, both express their own interpretation of luxury, allowing guests to experience the best of both worlds.
According to Jean-Marc Ma-Poon, Cluster General Manager – West Coast:
“For nearly 50 years, La Pirogue has embodied sincere and resolutely human hospitality, shaped as much by its teams as by its loyal guests. I am proud to launch the 50th anniversary celebrations of La Pirogue, an iconic resort of the west coast and of the Mauritian destination as a whole.”
For more information: https://www.yoursunlife.com/lapiroguemauritius/the-resort/
About Sunlife:
Sunlife has nearly 50 years of experience in the hospitality industry since opening La Pirogue, its first hotel, in 1976. The luxury hotel group manages five world-class properties in Mauritius: Sugar Beach, Long Beach, La Pirogue, Ambre, The Bay Club at Anahita, Anahita Golf, as well as the award-winning Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club.