Hotel Review: Le Méridien Noumea Resort & Spa

Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises,…

The capital of New Caledonia, which is a foreign territory of France in the South Pacific, is a major destination for those seeking fun and sun in the region. It attracts travelers from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore among other places. They come for the slice of French culture in the palm tree-swaying Pacific where sunny days with a majestic mountain backdrop are the norm. Le Méridien Noumea Resort & Spa, part of Marriott Bonvoy, is one of the premier resorts on the main island. Here’s what you need to know about one of the best places to stay while visiting Noumea.

The location

At the end of the main bay of the popular tourist peninsula, this resort is an easy walk from the corniche and main boardwalk of Noumea. That’s where you will find excellent restaurants, entertaining bars and beautiful photo spots to capture the sunset. But, the hotel’s position also affords it some of the best views on the island with mountain vistas and those famous island pine trees.

The beach

Directly in front of the hotel is one of the most beautiful beaches that is popular with swimming and watersports. This is the kind of place where you can soak up the sun while also enjoying a bit of the resort. In addition to its beachfront location, there is also a main pool area plus children’s pool that is a center of the resort. It’s here that travelers can experience the best parts of the resort’s hospitality thanks to roaming staff that lay down towels and set up sitting areas for guests.

The resort is surrounded by lush greenery with swaying palm trees and flowers. The spa has a range of beauty treatments. Perhaps the best part is the al fresco deck with whirlpools and lounge chairs overlooking the beach.

The European culture

Like other Le Méridien properties, this hotel leans into its European roots and offers a variety of special programming and amenities that help to celebrate that. It starts the moment you enter when a special fragrance quickly identifies the hotel like its other global counterparts. Those tunes you hear in public areas and the elevators are part of the brand’s curated soundtrack that changes from day to night.

The lobby bar and lounge (as well as other restaurants) serves Illy Coffee, the famous Italian espresso brand, that taps into European café culture. The hotel brand also has its Au Soleil programming, which brings a bit of Mediterranean summer flair to properties around the world. Its most recent introduction is a partnership with Whispering Angel Rosé wine. Not only is it serving the trending brand at its hotels, but it has added Whispering Angel as a flavor to its sorbet selection (a favorite at hotels around the world, look for the sorbet cart).

Also unique is the New Caledonian art, statues and photographs on display around the resort. Art is a hallmark of the Le Méridien brand. Even the room keys show colorful designs. Most Le Méridien hotels also have partnerships with local art or cultural museums, and guests can show their room key for free entry. The cultural center in town welcomes hotel guests on a complimentary basis.

The rooms

The resort is undergoing a renovation, but the results are stunning and quite a fit with the brand’s new focus that leans into its designer focus. Expect things like the signature branded bed with coated mattress and thick duvet plus furnishings that reflect both the brand and the region.

While all rooms have balconies, their views vary between garden, seaview and seafront with the latter being the most obvious options for the best scenery.

Some of the most premium suites boast exquisite views of the bay from wraparound balconies at the end of the buildings. These have views of the pool area as well as the beach.

Some of the French thematics appear in the room décor, too. The “Avec Amour” design package is meant to deliver a mix of French and tropical accent. Some of the larger suites are popular with families looking for additional space. They come with features like sofa beds and kitchenettes that make them ideal for longer stays. The resort also makes special accommodations for travelers with infants offering a long range of amenities that they might need.

The food

The resort’s restaurants favor heavily toward French cuisine, but the resort really tries to connect with locals. For example, anyone that pays for the resort’s exhaustive resort breakfast is also treated to a full day of access to the pool.

Le Sextant is the French restaurant serving an impressive breakfast spread with made-to-order omelets, French cheeses, local ceviche and a rotating selection of hot dishes. Later in the day, the menu switches to more international fare. Weekend brunch is popular with locals. The resort offers a package to non-guests where if they dine at the hotel for breakfast, they can stay and use the pool.

Le Faré is the beachfront restaurant serving cocktails with sunset views. The open-air dining room serves grilled fish, fresh salads, pasta, pizza and other light fare for lunch and dinner. During the summer months, L’Hippocampe is the formal restaurant serving upscale dishes for dinner.