5 Best Hotels in New Caledonia

This all-suites, white, seven-story hotel is right on popular Chateau Royal Beach beside lovely Anse Vata Bay, and looks quite new and nicely kept. Rooms have a crisp appearance with tropical-inspired furniture, and each of the 89 one-bedroom and 19 two-bedroom suites has full kitchens with dishwashers and microwaves, and either mountain, sea, or beachfront views. With grocery stores and patisseries nearby, and the Palm Beach shopping center a little farther away, it's ideal if you prefer self-catering. The free Wi-Fi and Continental breakfasts, along with guest laundry, are welcome perks. Resort facilities include spa, gym, Jacuzzi, huge pool, pool bar, and restaurant. Royal Tera is adjacent to a casino, and it's easy to make the 4-km (2-mile) trip into the city by bus.

Located just 100 meters (330 feet) from the beach at Anse Vata, Le Lagon (the lagoon) is a modern, basic hotel that's ideal for a short city stay in Noumea. Many visitors choose it for their first and last nights in the capital. Others stay for a week and chill by the beach or the pool, as this is one of the best lodging values in Noumea. The 62 units are divided into studios with king beds and one-bedroom suites, all with kitchenettes and free Wi-Fi. There are plenty of recreational facilities, including a gym, spa, and tennis court, plus there's secure parking (for a fee) and currency exchange services. It's a five-minute walk to Anse Vata beach and Lemon Beach (Baie de Citrons), and many restaurants and cafés are just a little farther to the north. Public buses run along both beachfronts, providing easy access to the city center.

Situated at Point Magnin, about 30 minutes from downtown Noumea, this resort has a stunning location and wonderful views from the rooms, bar, and restaurants. However, it is starting to show some aging a bit (it opened in the late 1990s), and rooms could do with a refresh. Its position on beach—Anse Vata—is lovely, and the pool is large and surrounded by inviting palm gardens. With water and sandy shores on three sides, there are plenty of opportunities for beach walks, swimming, and snorkeling. The hotel's all-white tower profile looks a bit out of the '70s, but because its a sizable property it has more facilities and amenities than most, including four restaurants, a gym, a children's pool, a day spa with three treatment rooms, a sauna and Turkish bath, several boutiques, and a casino. The hotel is also less than a mile from the Palm Beach Shopping center.

If you hanker for a property where you can hang out at the pub and enjoy awesome views from the restaurant, the Ramada Plaza Hotel fits the bill. The top-level revolving restaurant, aptly called Le 360, feels a bit retro-'70s, but the view of the vast Pacific and the islets out at sea will take your breath away. The hotel is one of many on popular Anse Vata Bay and has a wide range of accommodations: studios, one-bedroom suites, and apartments with one, two, or three bedrooms. All have either kitchenettes or fully equipped modern kitchens, plus flat-screen cable TV, and balconies or terraces. The pool has its own sandy beach.

Charming Tour du Monde (Around the World) is a quirky and homey B&B set in the hills, about a 30-minute drive north of Noumea. It has the ambience of a cozy homestead and is run by helpful hosts Jean Claude and Dan—the latter also being the chef. There are three bungalows and three separate shared bathrooms. The Melanesie Room has its own balcony overlooking the lush valley, the Orient Room is entered via an intricately carved Balinese-style doorway, and Bungalow Broussard looks a bit like a cabin in the woods. Tour du Monde sits on 30 acres and has several secluded garden areas where guest are encouraged to savor the peace and quiet. Because it's a bit isolated, many guests dine at least some of the time on property. Meals are served in the indoor dining room or on the deck overlooking the pool, with the hills and lagoon visible in the distance.