Ticking all the Boxes in Noumea

[RooFlyer]

What's immigration when you arrive? Is it the full entry into the EU?

 

[Dalescott]

AH I remember it well, Noumea perfect, great golf courses, great beaches, great food. So looking forward to more photos.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

NOU to Noumea

I've read on other threads that the shuttle from the airport to the city costs about $A100 per person. We decided to hire a car instead.

Fifa found a Peugeot 208 through EasyRentCars at a good price. However, to sweeten the deal, if you refer a friend both you and the friend receive a $US30 credit. So Fifa referred me and I booked the car.

After applying the credit, the Peugeot cost $A361-69 for 7 days. Anyone wanting further details can start a conversation with @Fifa and/or myself.

Driving into town....

View attachment 139967

I'm liking the look of those roads with very little traffic.

 

[Fifa]

What's immigration when you arrive? Is it the full entry into the EU?

Immigration was simple...
As we were at the front of the aircraft we were at immigration in no time with only a couple of people in front of us, a glance at the passport, stamp and through to the luggage carousel!

 

[Jacques Vert]

What's immigration when you arrive? Is it the full entry into the EU?

As Fifa said, it was simple and quick. Sorry, no idea about the EU question.

 

[get me outta here]

@Fifa - what you moved? I don't remember you mentioning that. Bet you miss the winters. No wonder we don't see you so much around here now.

Our trip started with an Uber ride from our new home on the Gold Coast to Helensvale Station, then a train to Varsity Lakes and finally a bus to OOL! (Soooo much easier and cheaper than accessing airports from our previous home in country NSW!)

A quick coffee and snack in the crowded QC (my +1 reminded me not to book flights during school hols in the future!) then it was onto the 12:45 flight to MEL in Y. After a brief visit to the newly refurbished MEL J lounge we boarded our flight to ADL where we met up with @Jacques Vert and @Gem56 at the new Atura Hotel.

Let the holiday begin!!!

 

[Fifa]

@Fifa - what you moved? I don't remember you mentioning that. Bet you miss the winters. No wonder we don't see you so much around here now.

Yes, after 29 years in the Snowy Mts we have finally retired and moved!

The Gold Coast weather, lifestyle & facilities were a huge attraction and we love our new home.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Those who followed my TR on our trip to Peru (Canyons, Mountains & Vineyards) may remember that I had a Challenge/Offer from Marriott.

We had stayed in a number of Protea hotels in Africa on a trip in 2016/17, but not since. Earlier this year I received a "Come Back" challenge to stay 12 nights in Marriotts within x days and receive Gold status until the end of 2019. Of course with the merger, Marriott Gold is now Platinum Elite with both Marriott and Starwood. We ticked that box before, during and after our Sth American trip.

Just recently, I noticed on Loyalty Lobby that Hilton were offering status matches. I had previously been status matched to Diamond with Hilton; would they give a second status match?

I sent HHonors an email with scans of my Marriott and IHG status and.......bingo, Diamond until 3/2020 provided I complete 8 stays within 90 days! Just in time for our trip to Noumea/New Caledonia.

Guess where we stayed the first night...

























Yes it's the Hilton. Upgraded to a Deluxe One Bedroom Ocean View apartment. Paid XPF18,050 on a senior rate.

Our thoughts on the Hilton:

rooms are a good size, with well equipped kitchen, washing machine, etc. Building/furniture is a little tired, about due for a refurb. Staff friendly, however there is no lounge and as a Diamond we receive the room upgrade, free breakfast and two bottles of water. No drink vouchers but all guests receive a 15% discount in the restaurant.

 

[Jacques Vert]

For dinner on our first night we went to the "Casino" supermarche at Port-Plaisance, a couple of km up the road, and bought baguettes, fromage, vin rouge et rose, etc. After all, we had been force-fed for the past couple of days so we didn't need much for dinner.

We all sat on our balcony and had a pleasant evening watching the sun set and relaxing after a couple of early starts.

Earlier that afternoon we took a drive to Magenta airport to check out the timing and parking for our flight to Ile des Pins the next day. Just a short 10-15 minute drive and plenty of free parking immediately outside the terminal. Or so we thought...

Next morning we headed for the airport and found that peak hour traffic was a little slower than expected; lucky the domestic airport is only a few km from the Hilton!

Of course, by the time we got there the carpark was full. Fortunately Fifa spotted a car leaving just as we were arriving and we managed to get the only parking spot available (and almost at the door to the terminal).

Our flight to ILP was with Air Caledonie (TY401) @ 0840:






























BTW: TY allow 12 kg for cabin baggage and 5 kg for carry-on; and yes, they do weight the carry-on bags.

They also tend to load early and depart as soon as everyone is on-board; about 15 minutes early on this occasion and the flight was about 10 minutes shorter than scheduled.

 

[Jacques Vert]

ILP Airport:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Le Meridien, Ile des Pins

We had visited the Isle of Pines during a cruise a few years back however the ship anchored in the bay at Kuto on the SW side of the Island. Le Meridien is on the Baie d'Oro on the NE side of the Island.

We had thought of hiring a car but there were none available. We ended up taking the hotel shuttle but with hindsight, a taxi may have been better value. Despite the cost (XPF5,800 return), the shuttle was efficient and convenient.

Le Meridien is nice, but it sure doesn't come cheap

We booked the cheapest room available, a Superior King Bed room on a Senior Rate for XPF34,850 + tax 3%. About $A490 and the food and drinks aren't cheap either.

The main outside area with the restaurant in the background:





The natural pool about 20 minutes walk behind the resort:








Looking out to sea from the resort (low tide):




Our upgrade, a waterfront villa/bungalow:

 

[Jacques Vert]

On another thread @Daver6 suggested folks heading to the Isle of Pines should consider joining Club Marriott to get the discounts on food and beverage. I checked it out and there are two levels of membership.

The basic membership gives you 25% off meals and beverage (plus a free bottle of wine with meals in your birthday month) and costs $A210.

The higher level membership costs $A399 and includes the 25% discount above plus a number of coupons: 2 x $75 off dining credits; 2 x 50% dining vouchers (for up to 8 people), 4 x room upgrade certificates, and 6 x 50% off dining certificates at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney + 6 x 50% off dining certificates at the Sheraton Grand Mirage on the Gold Coast. (The Sheraton vouchers are only valid for up to two people.)

I don't usually go for these paid memberships but on this occasion I did take the more expensive deal as I calculated that given the price of meals at Le Meridien, I could save the cost of the membership within the first month (and it lasts for twelve months).

Time for dinner...




Our entrees. Prawn spring roll thingy:




Isle of Pines snails:




Fish in banana leaf (quite dry):




Prawn curry:




Deserts:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next morning, another beautiful day...

 

[Daver6]

I'm not sure if available on both, but Club Marriott also gives you 10% of the best available rate on accommodation in Australia and the Pacific.

Those accommodation prices you paid are eye watering. We managed a pay 4 nights get the 5th free deal and about 24,000 XPF per night.

If you have time, grab a kayak (free) and paddle north along the coast. You get to a couple of really nice beaches with no one one. Ignore the fact they say don't go out of site. The water is protected from any swell. Worst is you get back at low tide and need to drag the kayak a little.

Finally, for something different for lunch, walk to Google Maps

 

[Jacques Vert]

I'm not sure if available on both, but Club Marriott also gives you 10% of the best available rate on accommodation in Australia and the Pacific.

Yes it's 10%, but as I understand it, it's now off the flexible rate (not the best available rate) in Australia, NZ and the Pacific (Fiji, New Caledonia and Samoa). I believe it's 20% off the flexible accommodation rate Asia.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Those accommodation prices you paid are eye watering. We managed a pay 4 nights get the 5th free deal and about 24,000 XPF per night.

When I first looked at Le Meridien on Isle of Pines, it was considerably cheaper, but we were still finalising our dates. Then, the day Starwood and Marriott merged the price jumped about 30% (especially the points and pay option).

 

[Jacques Vert]

If you have time, grab a kayak (free) and paddle north along the coast. You get to a couple of really nice beaches with no one one. Ignore the fact they say don't go out of site. The water is protected from any swell. Worst is you get back at low tide and need to drag the kayak a little.

Finally, for something different for lunch, walk to Google Maps

We looked at taking the kayaks and paddling to those nice beaches but as it was low tide at the time, they wouldn't let us take the kayaks at all.

 

[JohnM]

Late aboard, but sliding into a vacant 1A...

 

[Jacques Vert]

A couple more photos from the Ile des Pins:













The island is in drought at present:

 

[Jacques Vert]

We then took the last flight back to Noumea and ticked off another stay at the Hilton; that's 2 down and 6 to go.

Our Peugeot was still waiting for us at Magenta airport and was still in one piece so all good. We had decided to go to the supermarche and have the Baguette and Fromage option for dinner again. Alas, the supermarche was shut (closes at 19:30) so we asked the lovely check-in agent at the Hilton (Tiphaine) for a recommendation for dinner and she pointed us to Creperie Le Rocher.

From +1's phone camera...