At a Glance
- Sunlife portfolio includes Sugar Beach, La Pirogue, Long Beach, Ambre and luxury assets.
- Sun Limited posts MUR2 billion($43.82 million) profit in 2024 with strong hospitality growth.
- Resorts earn EarthCheck and Travelife certifications, spotlighting sustainability in Mauritius tourism.
Sun Limited is more than a hotel operator. For half a century, it has captured the spirit of Mauritius—its beaches, lagoons and rhythm of life—through resorts that shaped how the world experiences the island.
CIEL reshapes Sun Limited through Sunlife
The company’s portfolio includes Sugar Beach, La Pirogue, Long Beach, Ambre, Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Four Seasons Anahita and the renowned Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club. Each property carries a distinct identity, yet together they present a brand of hospitality that feels local, human and distinctly Mauritian.
Founded in 1972, Sun Limited helped anchor the country’s rise as a luxury destination. La Pirogue introduced travelers to a resort style rooted in authenticity, while Sugar Beach reflected plantation-era architecture along Flic-en-Flac.
Over time came Long Beach, with a focus on modern design and activity, and Ambre, an adults-only retreat. The group also assumed stewardship of some of the island’s crown jewels, including Shangri-La Le Touessrok and Four Seasons Anahita.
Half a century of resorts in Mauritius
Today, under majority shareholder CIEL Group, Sun Limited has undergone restructuring. CIEL, which holds 50.1 percent of the company, is a leading Mauritian conglomerate with interests in finance, healthcare, agribusiness and hospitality.
Earlier in July, the Mauritian businessman retired shortly after handing over to his son, Jean-Pierre Dalais, who currently leads CEIL.
In June 2024, the company announced a split into two listed entities. Sunlife will oversee the owner-managed resorts—Sugar Beach, La Pirogue, Long Beach and Ambre—while Riveo will focus on asset-managed luxury properties such as Shangri-La Le Touessrok and Four Seasons Anahita.
The goal is to sharpen brand identity, improve investor clarity and align management strategies with each market segment.
Financial strength backed by profit and scale
The numbers behind the transformation are strong. For the year ending June 2024, Sun Limited reported revenue of MUR8.8 billion($192.82 million) and a record profit of MUR 2 billion. It employs about 3,240 people and scored 73 percent in the 2023/24 Great Place to Work survey.
Beyond finances, the company emphasizes sustainability and culture. Its resorts hold EarthCheck Silver and Travelife Gold certifications, while Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club is GEO-certified.
Initiatives include reef protection, marine conservation and biodiversity trails. In 2024, Long Beach was named Best Sustainable Hotel by the Ministry of Tourism.
Sustainability and service define guest experience
Guests describe Sun Limited’s service as warm and discreet, “as welcoming as a private home.” Dining reflects the island’s cultural mix, with French, Creole, Indian and Chinese flavors.
Activities range from watersports to Sega music under the stars. For many, the resorts are settings for milestones—weddings, anniversaries, family gatherings—woven into the story of Mauritius itself.
As the group begins a new chapter with Sunlife and Riveo, it is not leaving its legacy behind but refining it. For investors, the restructuring promises clearer value.
For travelers, it offers richer experiences. And for Mauritius, it underscores a simple truth: Sun Limited is not just part of the island’s tourism industry—it is one of its authors.
