Pacific

7 Best New Caledonia Resorts to tempt you to the Pacific

The closest tropical island to mainland Australia, New Caledonia is the Pacific's undiscovered gem. Our selection of luxurious New Caledonia resorts will tempt you to pack your bags, embrace island time while sipping a cocktail on the beach.

Set within the world’s largest lagoon and with access to the second largest reef, New Caledonia is a hidden gem in the South Pacific. With more than 10 direct flights operating each week, you can reach the capital Noumea within a few hours, making it not only a fast journey but an affordable one. The unique combination of French and Melanesian culture means you can learn about the country’s indigenous people, the Kanak, while devouring French cuisine and practising your high-school French. All this is within a breathtaking natural setting of tropical rainforests and pristine beaches populated by unique island wildlife.

To help you book your tropical escape, we’ve come up with a list of the best New Caledonia resorts for the ultimate holiday. Without having to fly far, you’ll get to choose from secluded overwater bungalows to breezy beachfront cabins. Embrace your inner explorer and get out on the reef, indulge in a blissful spa treatment with an ocean view, feast on the tantalising local fare with a French twist or simply soak up island life from the comfort of your daybed.

Breezy beachfront views

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Le Méridien Noumea Resort & Spa

As one of only two resorts on the beachfront at Anse Vata bay, Le Méridien Noumea Resort & Spa offers uninterrupted views for watching colourful kitesurfers gliding across clear lagoon waters. Sip a mojito at Le Faré Restaurant with sand between your toes or stretch in a poolside cabana to let the ocean breeze temper the sun’s rays. Even the Deep Nature Spa has panoramic ocean surrounds, so you can chill out on one of the ocean-facing daybeds post-treatment or listen to the waves from the relaxation bath on the terrace.

Complimentary snorkelling gear and kayaks will encourage you to get out on the water, or you can take advantage of free access to the nearby Tjibaou Cultural Centre to learn more about New Caledonia’s traditions. For a special occasion, head to award-winning fine dining L’Hippocampe to savour dishes such as open-faced ravioli with local prawns and carbonara-style mahi mahi. Don’t forget to finish with the signature dessert ‘Le Cigare’, made with smoked chocolate, cognac granita and honey.

Each of the 207 rooms and suites have a private balcony, where you can adjust to island time while gazing out across landscaped gardens or the glistening bay. Sleek, modern room designs incorporate crisp white linens with bold artwork inspired by nature, keeping you comfortable while nodding to the picture-perfect surroundings. You’ll want to extend the relaxation into your cleanly tiled bathroom with a walk-in rain shower or long bubble bath in the separate soaking tub.

Le Méridien Noumea Resort & Spa

Noumea
8.4 Very good (936 reviews)

Sublime sunsets in a tropical park

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Château Royal Beach Resort & Spa

The vast grounds at Château Royal Beach Resort & Spa afford breathtaking views across the island-dotted vista of Anse Vate Bay. You’ll want to start with a trip to the resort’s Aquatonic Pool, a 300 square metre relaxation space featuring 12 labyrinth-style hydromassage stations overlooking the bay. If you’re feeling energised, book an aqua gym or aqua bike session before steaming up in the on-site hammam. Not to be missed is the lava powder scrub at the Aqua Royal Spa, an exotic treatment that uses powdered lava, spring water and silky oils.

Wander through the grounds of the three-hectare tropical park and back to your one or two-bedroom suite, brightly decorated in blues and yellows. Each guest space has living and sleeping areas separated by sliding doors to give you ample space. You can even rustle up a home-cooked meal using local produce in your equipped kitchen.

If you don’t feel like cooking, indulge in a five-course tasting menu on the outdoor terrace at Le Taom, with tempting dishes like Caledonian shrimp with orange and papaya salad or coconut-encrusted yellow tuna. Traditional bistro fare is available at La Pirogue, with favourites including Provençale-style catch-of-the-day and a beef fillet with morel mushrooms. Bar Piscine is the place for a freshly squeezed juice during the day – you can even swim up and grab an underwater stool in time for a sunset cocktail overlooking the bay.

Château Royal Beach Resort and Spa

Top rated
Noumea
8.8 Excellent (1647 reviews)

Luxury and culture in Noumea’s heart

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Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences

Set in the heart of the action, Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences make exploring the exciting attractions nearby your Noumea accommodation just as easy as lounging by the pool. On a slow-paced afternoon, savour local produce with a French twist at on-site restaurant La Terrasse. On the outdoor deck overlooking Anse Vata Bay, sip on a classic cocktail or glass of champagne while dining on oysters and scallops. Continue the star treatment at Oxalis Women’s Wellbeing Centre, a female-only space offering massages, an aromatic hammam and yoga classes. Or if you need to work off some of the richer dishes, head to a boot camp session in the on-site fitness centre or smash out a set of laps in the outdoor pool.

For off-site explorations, you can hop on a complimentary bike and cycle down to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre to learn about the history of the native Kanak people. Housed within 10 steel and iroko wood structures modelled on Kanak huts, the centre is an architectural wonder set within wander-worthy mangroves and woodlands.

At the end of the day, return to your room and sink into your rattan armchair with a good book. Or head to the balcony to stretch out on your sun lounger with views of the crystal-clear lagoon. Come nightfall, drift off to sleep in your luxurious Hilton Serenity bed to the sound of waves lapping against the shore.

Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences

Noumea
8.4 Very good (1569 reviews)

Secluded and serene

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Ouré Tera

Located on the Isle of Pines in Kanumera Bay, you’ll find Ouré Tera nestled against a spectacular boulder at the end of a protected beach. From your complimentary stand-up paddleboard, you can float across the turquoise lagoon waters and spot marine life like multi-coloured fish and sea turtles. If you fancy a closer look, slip on your snorkel and jump into the warm, clear water. Back on dry land with pearly-white sand underfoot, rest under the thatched-roof pavilion of the resort’s on-site Le Banian bar and quench your thirst with an ice-cold beer.

Beachfront Bungalows are dressed in crisp white with splashes of fuchsia for an invigorating island feel. Rich polished floors lead out onto private verandas with sun loungers just steps from the sand. For bigger groups, check into a secluded Garden Bungalow linked by interconnecting doors within verdant tropical grounds.

Your daily buffet breakfast of eggs, sausages, bacon, pastries and fresh fruit will provide the energy for a day of activities. Get back out on the water in one of the resort’s canoes, play petanque on the sand, or resort staff can arrange an adventure on an outrigger cruise. When you return exhilarated and hungry, feast on local specialties like famous Isle of Pines lobsters and escargot, or a traditional Kanak ‘bougna’ (a coconut-infused bundle of vegetables, meats or seafood wrapped in banana leaf) at Kanumera Restaurant.

Ouré Tera

Top rated
Kuto
8.6 Excellent (405 reviews)

Romantic beachside getaway

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Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort

It’s easy to see why Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort was chosen to host The Bachelor Australia’s 2018 finale. On the west coast of the main island, the resort sits at the base of the Deva Domain, offering a heavenly combination of lush hills and a 13km stretch of Poé Beach.

The infinity pool perched on the edge of the translucent blue lagoon is a romantic spot for taking in the sunset. For a laidback lunch for two, you can head to beachfront Sand Beach Grill and dine beneath the shade of a market umbrella. The romance continues in your luxurious Beachfront Bungalow, with a canopied king-size four-poster bed and free-standing soaking tub. On the double daybed outside, lie with your loved one and look for wild dugongs swimming in the lagoon.

Tee-off at the resort’s manicured 18-hole golf course set amid breathtaking views over the lagoon. Or discover Deep Nature Spa, nestled within the forest and built on wooden stilts. From any of the four treatment cabins, you’ll be able to gaze out over the lagoon or mountains while a sea-themed Algotherm treatment melts away your cares. You and your partner can then finish the day by sharing plates of salmon sashimi and beef tartare beneath the cathedral-style wooden ceiling at Le Reef restaurant.

Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort

Bourail
8.4 Very good (1021 reviews)

Snorkel with sea turtles by your overwater bungalow

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L’Escapade Island Resort

Floating above the waves and 50 metres from the sandy shore, the overwater bungalows at L’Escapade Island Resort are the closest of their kind to mainland Australia. Spend a morning marvelling at marine wildlife in the 200-hectare nature reserve from your exclusive island retreat. When the lagoon beckons, follow the steps of your bungalow down to the turquoise water, then jump straight in to snorkel alongside sea turtles and irridescent fish. As the daylight softens, retire to your private balcony for uninterrupted views of the golden pink sunset.

Back on land, Beach and Garden Bungalows feature floor-to-ceiling bay windows that open onto pristine white beaches or lush tropical gardens. Follow wooden walkways to the swimming pool with a swim-up bar and alfresco dining deck looking out onto the water. You can feast on sumptuous buffets at Ouen Toro restaurant, with a chef on hand to prepare dishes to your personal preference, or enjoy a selection of tapas from the bar.

Just a 20-minute boat ride from Anse Vata on the main island, Noumea’s cultural sites and boutique shops are within reach for when you want a livelier pace. After an afternoon exploring, stay in town for dinner then retreat to the seclusion of your island hideaway.

Doubletree By Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort

Top rated
Noumea
8.7 Excellent (236 reviews)

Intimate island escape

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Le Méridien Ile des Pins

Arriving by plane to Le Méridien Ile des Pins, you will see first-hand how blissfully secluded this getaway is. A bird’s eye view reveals turquoise waters, sandy beaches and an Indigenous reserve dotted with native pine trees, all only a 20-minute flight from Noumea.

Nestled within a centuries-old coconut grove, Le Méridien has 48 luxurious guestrooms and bungalow suites all with private loggias or terraces. The adults-only clifftop Panoramic King Bungalows have individual staircases leading directly down to the water’s edge, ideal for snorkelling.

Explore the nearby natural pool by stand-up paddleboard or pedalo, or take advantage of the resort’s snorkelling equipment to get a closer look at the marine environment. Alternatively, hike up Pic N’Ga for breathtaking views over the island. If you’re more focused on relaxation, nab a double daybed by the ocean or a sun lounger beside the infinity pool. To cool down, sway gently in a shaded hammock strung between two pine trees.

After dark, you’ll want to head down to the sophisticated Longitude 167 Bar for drinks among natural wooden décor and tranquil tones of taupe and eggshell blue. Next door, La Pirogue Restaurant serves French-Melanesian cuisine, such as the famous Isle of Pines escargot smothered in garlic butter.

Hotel Le Méridien Ile des Pins

Top rated
Gadji
9.0 Excellent (964 reviews)