La Pirogue Resort Mauritius
Wolmar, Flic En Flac
Mauritius
Star Rating: 5
Modelled on a fishing village, La Pirogue hotel, on the west coast of the island, is contiguous to its sister hotel, Sugar Beach Resort, which also belongs to the Managed by One&Only Resorts group. It is located along one of the country's finest beaches, of immaculate white sand, over one kilometre long. In addition, it nestles in a magnificent tropical garden, a remarkable palm-grove of 8 hectares pleasantly punctuated with colourful hibiscus and fragrant frangipani. Everything here is reminiscent of the traditional Mauritian fishing boat from which the hotel takes its name - from the main building inspired by a white sail floating in the wind, to the chalets built in local volcanic rock and crowned with wood and thatch. Merging into the Indian Ocean, the new 'infinity' pool of 1,000 square metres is an invitation to relaxation and happiness.
The hotel is ideally situated in the proximity of the island's main commercial centres of Port Louis (25 mins), Quatre Bornes (20 mins) and Curepipe (45 mins). By virtue of its west-coast location, La Pirogue presents numerous excursion opportunities, notably to Casela Bird Park, the private hunting-ground of Yemen, Chamarel and its 'seven-coloured earth', and the natural south. Another destination of interest is Black River with its celebrated big-game fishing clubs.
Accommodation
Recently renovated, all guestrooms are at ground-level and open privately on the magnificent palm-grove and the Indian Ocean. Each is equipped with its own air-conditioning 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 television set with satellite channels (english, french and italian programs), a cartoon channel for kids and a teletext information system_ a telephone with international direct dialling (IDD)_ 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.
Restaurant
Thaches (seats 450)
Completely redesigned, more spacious and tropical, the main restaurant, on the terrace, is open daily from 7.30 to 10.30 a.m. for breakfast. The complete breakfast buffet comprises traditional English breakfast and added Creole, Mauritian and Indian signature items, for a great start to the day. Dinnertime, from 7.30 to 10 p.m., showcases demonstrative World Cuisine for a totally new and exciting dining experience. The new buffet features several themed live-cooking stations with food prepared fresh in front of the guests: a Chinese fresh-noodle and stir-fry station_ a curry station with traditional Mauritian 'case-créole' cuisine, a tandoor (Indian clay oven) and colourful Indian dishes_ a huge salad station_ a pasta station_ a pizza station with its wood-fired oven_ a grill-and-tepanyaki station_ a chilled-dessert counter with a daily hot dessert prepared live_ and even a Kids' Ice-Cream Bar with a sit-up counter.
For the more romantic, the restaurant also features cosy thatched dining pods around a striking decorative and reflective pond.
Paul et Virginie (seats 120)
By the beach, with romantic thatched dining pavilions overhanging the new 'infinity' pool against the dramatic backdrop of the Le Morne mountain across the sea, the rustic charm of the redesigned à-la carte Paul et Virginie restaurant favours warmth and intimacy. At lunchtime, from 12.30 to 2.30 p.m. daily, it proposes a selection of popular island cuisine, trendy middle-eastern and Asian wraps, wood-fired pizzas, grilled, smoked or steamed fare, panini breads, tossed salads and sandwiches.
From 2.30 to 5.30 p.m., its special poolside menu includes sandwiches,
pizzas and various salads, as well as pastries and pancakes for five-o'clock tea. Its dinner offering, from 7.30 to 10 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, is more sophisticated, with a focus on seafood and healthy stir-fries, and features select items like scallops, oysters, mussels, giant prawns and lobster, around the restaurant's signature multi-choice concept (smoked to order, grilled or steamed). The wine list includes a variety of South African and New World wines, with a focus on great value for money.
Citronella's Café (seats 120)
Facing the sea, between La Pirogue and Sugar Beach Resort, guests can savour the delights of the Mediterranean's sunny cuisines - from tasty light snacks to the best Italian restaurants' traditional dishes - in the cordial warmth of Citronella's handsome dining room or in the shade of the café's teak terrace. Citronella's Café is open for lunch from 12.30 to 3 p.m. every day except Monday, and for dinner from 7.30 to 11 p.m. every day except Sunday.
The Blue Bar (seats 180)
The bar offers a wide choice of contemporary tropical cocktails and rums and an important selection of beverages, liqueurs, beers and spirits of international brands, as well as snacks and delicious espressos from 10 to 2 a.m. daily.
The Beach Bar & Pool Deck (seats 75)
Overlooking the Indian Ocean, near the nautical club, the bar opens at 10 a.m. daily and closes at midnight every day except Monday, when it closes at 6 p.m. In a relaxed atmosphere with a spectacular sea-view, it offers a great 'drink-your-vitamins' menu of fresh fruit juices, vegetable juices and smoothies, milk-shakes and other beverages as well as a superb selection of espressos. Food consists of light snacks, pizzas and salads at lunchtime, and an à-la-carte menu featuring sandwiches, pizzas and various salads, as well as pastries and pancakes for five-o'clock tea, is proposed for service around the pool from 12.30 to 5.30 p.m.
Facilities and Services
Internationally famous for it's fantastic big game fishing, La Pirogue is also renowned for the fantastic dives off the west coast. But that's not all the action happening at this lively resort ... Aquagym - in the swimming pool, Basketpolo - in the swimming pool, Waterpolo - in the swimming pool, Glass-bottom boat, Kayaks - single & double, Paddle boats, Lasers, Newbats, Snorkelling, Waterskiing, Seaski, Windsurfing, Big Banana * Parasailing *, Supertube *, Scuba diving (PADI certified) * and Deep sea fishing *.