Sail into the sunset at La Pirogue

The chalets are styled on the traditional fishermen's dwellings.

We - Heather, my long-suffering wife - and I did not actually stay at La Pirogue, but ambled across to it courtesy an invitation from Shirley Fareedun-Wick, sales manager at Sugar Beach, and La Pirogues' own sales and marketing manager, Jean-Marie Delort.

La Pirogue is right next door to Sugar Beach so its' nothing more than a short walk and you're there.

It's rather nice as guests from either resort have the run of the facilities of the other - you simply need to register at reception, and you're set to go and since the suite numbers have been cunningly arranged to be different, you won't get billed for anything someone else has enjoyed.

The name is inspired by the famous fishing boats of Mauritius from which the resort takes its name, and La Pirogue's unique architectural style is enhanced in its guestrooms by the added rustic warmth of wood and thatch.

The cottages, which all open privately on the resort's magnificent palm-grove of over 1,000 coconut trees and on the sea, feature new warm shades and great comfort throughout.

And these are models of the traditional fishing boat after which the hotel is named.

The resort boasts a magnificent pool of over 1000m² that merges into the Indian Ocean. A harmonious combination of intimately cosy coves and open play areas, this "pool of pools" with its islets, Paul & Virginie restaurant, Beach Bar and Coco Kiosk are at the heart of La Pirogue.

La Pirogue aims to be a celebration of the best in World gastronomy, with marked emphasis on demonstration, generosity and variety, and you can get a taste of it yourself at any or all of its restaurants: Thatches, La Badiane and Paul & Virginie.

The resort also shares Citronella's Café and Tides - seafood cuisine - with Sugar Beach and if your life revolves around a damned good pizza... say no more.

More than ever La Pirogue reasserts its vocation as a resort dedicated to the sea and to its pleasures, shared with a loved one, or with family or friends, for the most wonderful of tropical-holiday memories.

Accommodation

Your own home from home.

All guestrooms are at ground level and open privately on the magnificent palm grove. Each is equipped with its own air-conditioning fan unit and comprises twin beds or a double bed with a built-in drawer; a redesigned bathroom with separate bath and shower, toilet and 110/220-volt socket for electric razor; a mini-bar; a safe; a hair-dryer; a LCD flatscreen set with satellite channels, a cartoon channel for kids and a teletext information system; a telephone with international direct dialling (IDD); internet access, equipment for making tea and coffee; and a furnished private terrace. The Superior guestrooms are situated closer to the sea. Room service operates 24 hours a day.

**Download La Pirogue's Floor Plans (PDF)

Child or children or 3rd adult sharing couple's room

Standard Rooms - extra-bed for 1 child up to 12 years or 1 adult.

Superior Rooms - extra-bed for 2 children under 12 years old or 1 extra bed for 1 adult.

Fancy a liedown?

Sports and leisure

Sports (complementary):
Kayaking, laser-sailing, pedal boats, glass bottom- boat rides, snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing (sport catamaran), aquagym classes in the resort's swimming-pool, tennis (floodlit courts, available equipment; rackets free of charge, balls at a fee), aerobics, stretching and yoga classes, Frisbee, jogging, mini-football, minigolf, ping-pong, beach volleyball, basket ball and badminton.

Sports (have the credit card ready):
Scuba diving (PADI courses are also available), big-game fishing, water-skiing outside lagoon, parasailing, banana boat, catamaran outings, and mountain bike.

The gym

This is one of their first wedding pictures - and they didn't even know us. Congratulations; may you have a long and very happy marriage.

Comprising 300m² of air-conditioned space, the gym offers a full range of Multimedia Cardio equipment, air controlled strength machines, bodybuilding and free weights. The Martial Arts area caters for fans of taebo, kick boxing, judo and karate. Group interactive spinning classes are provided with virtual landscape rides through some of the most exciting bike rides of the World. Personal training for Vibro Gym and Pilates is also available. Daily yoga, stretching and aerobics are also offered both indoor and outdoor.

Now where are the kids?

Bang in the middle, if you want to know... Many resorts have the their kids club off to one side, for obvious reasons, but La Pirogue is different - the Sun Kids Club is right in the middle of the resort but I don't think that presents any problem at all - what you hear with kids playing is happy noise. (Other than the occasional "I'm not playing with you anymore. So THERE!")

For more information go to http://www.lapirogue.com/

For reservations or more information call World Leisure Holidays on 0860 954 954,or email az.oc.hlw@ser, or log onto the company's website, www.wlh.co.za.