It was in the cozy and intimate setting of the La Plume restaurant, within the Madame Rêve hotel in Paris, that Yann Lloret, Director France of SunLife, gathered a handful of specialist journalists last Wednesday to unveil a 2026 placed under the sign of heritage and responsibility.
« The major event, he explains, remains the 50th anniversary of the La Pirogue hotel, a true pioneer that has largely contributed to positioning Mauritius on the world map of elite tourism.
The Unrivaled La Pirogue
This charming and unique resort, with its 248 rooms spread across a lush 14-hectare estate, is distinguished by its distinctive architecture: no rooms are located on upper floors, offering an exclusive, single-level experience overlooking the lagoon.
Having already welcomed five generations of travelers, La Pirogue remains the island’s best-selling establishment, with a record occupancy rate of 92% in 2025, attracting a predominantly European clientele comprised of 30% French and 25% German guests.
On June 7th, an exceptional program of festivities will officially launch the jubilee celebrations, which will continue until the group’s annual convention in December.
Clency at the Helm
Beyond the festivities, the Sunlife group, a subsidiary of the giant CIEL Ltd, listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, is embarking on a profound structural transformation with the appointment of Clency Romeo, former Director of La Pirogue, as Chief Sustainability Officer.
Driven by a firm conviction that « environmental preservation is no longer a choice but an obligation, » his mission will be to promote and oversee sustainability initiatives and lead the group’s overall CSR strategy, with the ambition of obtaining the prestigious ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board) label, a mark of excellence.
To operationalize this vision, two experts will now be dedicated to implementing sustainable development in each hotel of the Sunlife collection (La Pirogue, Sugar Beach, Long Beach, Ambre, The Bay Club of Anahita, and Anahita Golf).
On the business side, while 2025 revenue remained stable compared to 2024, the group recorded a notable 7% increase in revenue, a sign of successful upmarket positioning.
Future projects look equally ambitious: starting November 1st, La Pirogue will launch the sale of 45 timeshare apartments, targeting French and Mauritian clients looking to make a long-term investment in this flagship 4-star superior property, before a major renovation in 2028 further enhances the site.