Hôtel La Pirogue

Hôtel La Pirogue in Mahambo isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a quiet dialogue between the traveler and Madagascar’s eastern coast. The bungalows, crafted from local wood and adorned with Malagasy art, embody more than comfort; they reflect the island’s relationship with its natural resources and its creative spirit. The surrounding garden feels like an extension of the wild, alive with the hum of insects, the sway of palms, and the faint rhythm of waves brushing the nearby shore. Surfing here isn’t just about chasing waves—it’s a shared moment with the ocean’s unpredictable energy, while kayaking offers a slow unraveling of Mahambo’s hidden shoreline: winding mangroves, small coves, and the occasional fishing boat carving its path. Meals at the on-site restaurant are equally intentional, blending the bold spices of Malagasy cuisine with subtle French influences to turn fresh-caught seafood into something unforgettable. Staying at La Pirogue is less about ticking experiences off a list and more about settling into the pulse of Mahambo—quiet, reflective, and deeply tied to its place in the world.

We booked a standard room because we hoped the weather would be nice and we would mainly be outside. It rained for 24h straight. Shower with 6 cockroaches when we arrived. Everything smelled and was humid. Sink not draining. Staff not much on the side of pleasing the customer. The bright side was the food: expensive but very tasty. Nice atmosphere 👌 by the dinning room. And that was the only place where we could seat without being soaked wet. Don't be fooled by the advertisement for the billiard, it's been broken for 3 months.

Had only one night stay at this hotel and felt it deserved a longer stay. The restaurant and the lounge area, and the outside areas were exquisite. The dinner we had here was amazing and I think the freshly squeezed juices they do have been the best ones we tasted in our 18 days vacation in Madagascar. 💙

We have spent just one night in a standard bungalow. We wanted to change the rooms but apparently they were all booked which was kind of hard to believe because there were just 5 other families staying at hotel. Maybe the bungalow was charming when it was newly built, but now it is just old and falling apart. There are holes everywhere and cockroaches in the room plus some other animals. At night you could here the “eating” noises coming from all corners of the room, my guess would be termites. |The food was nothing special but it was ok for one meal. To be fair we’ve seen a lot on our travels and we are not picky at all but we couldn’t have stayed here another night.

Decent rooms, we went for the cheap option. Nice view of the sea. Beautiful gardens. We have our food elsewhere. Recommended.

Beautiful garden resort! The only place who had an open restaurant during low season. Very open air bungalows that are clean and have a Malagasy interior design to it. The team was fantastic at helping us find an alternative route to Sainte Marie when our boat got cancelled. Many thanks and all the best

This has probably been my favorite place to stay in Mada. The huge garden makes this place very special. It’s romantic, has lots of space to explore and lounge, a private beach, and also has swings, trampoline, and bocci ball. The swimming area is shallow, perfect for wading around and relaxing. The staff is SO kind and helpful. And massages were great & affordable. Thank you pirogue staff 🫶🏼

One of the worst hotels I've ever visited. Rooms were dirty and cold, the bathroom was dirty, and rodents got into our bags overnight and ate our food. Restaurant was ok but there were roaches running around. As others mentioned, there was a cage at reception which may have had captive lemurs...it was dark when we got there so I can't confirm.