DoubleTree by Hilton has opened its first hotel in New Caledonia, the Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort, surrounded by a 200-hectare marine reserve near the capital, Noumea.
The property is the only one in New Caledonia to offer overwater bungalows. The décor relies upon the natural beauty of the location in addition to its contemporary interior design.
Spectacular scenery, stunningly beautiful islands and a unique fusion of French and Melanesian culture make New Caledonia one of the true jewels of the South Pacific. One of Australia's closest neighbours, the archipelago is just a two-hour flight from Brisbane and less than three hours from Sydney, making it the perfect destination for both Australians and overseas visitors to this part of the world.
Combining the natural beauty of the South Pacific with the elegance of Europe, New Caledonia's capital, Nouméa, is a delightful cosmopolitan city offering good shopping and restaurants, magnificent beaches, beautiful waterways and no shortage of eye-catching vantage points.
An island experience in the heart of the Pacific
The new DoubleTree by Hilton resort is the result of an 11-month renovation of the former L'Escapade hotel. It offers a unique island experience in the heart of the Pacific on Ilot Maitre, a 25-minute boat ride from Noumea.
As popular with local residents as it is with visitors, the îlot Maître (master isle) is the only Noumean islet with a hotel, and it has a two-kilometre-long reef.
A true haven of tranquillity, this location has a number of pluses: a 200-hectare marine reserve, a turquoise lagoon listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, overwater bungalows – usually found only in French Polynesia – and white sand beaches with natural surroundings.
The property houses 64 rooms, divided into overwater bungalows and villas decorated in a minimalistic and contemporary style with natural materials and thatched roofs. A fitness centre, an outdoor pool facing the sea and a water sports facility complete the grounds.
As far as dining goes, L'Escapade offers fresh buffets of seafood and local products while Le Sunset Bar and La Boussole Beach offer refreshments and snacks throughout the day.
Private meetings
Equipped with a 56-square-metre meeting room located in the tropical gardens and offering a direct view of the lagoon, the resort can accommodate all types of meetings for up to 150 people.
DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort is the group's fifth hotel in the South-Pacific.
New Caledonia is now COVID-free and international flights are set to resume on 31 October 2021.
Resort photos courtesy of DoubleTree by Hilton