|
This deluxe hotel is reputedly the finest in New Caledonia. The
drive from Tontouta international airport is 45 minutes and takes you
through some beautiful scenery, through the city of
Noumea to the outskirts
where the
Le Meridien is located on a peninsular with panoramic views all
round of the ocean. The taxi fare from the airport is a hefty 8,500 Pacific
French Francs (CFP) which equates to around $65 to $70 US. Most people
travel by bus (there was only one taxi on stand by at the time of our
arrival) at a cost of 2,500 CFP (around $20 US). Pre-arranged private cars
and taxis can be arranged by the hotel at 7,000 CFP, we found out later.
The hotel is not new but has been impeccably maintained. It is set amidst
tropical gardens and palm trees, has 240 rooms and 15 suites. There are
additionally 6 rooms especially designed for the disabled.
Stepping into the lobby we were greeted to an elaborate lay-out, extremely
spacious with views over the gardens. Check-in was professional and swift.
The hotel also assisted by picking up the taxi fare which they added to the
bill. If and when you travel to Noumea, be sure to convert your currency in
the baggage area at the airport. The only foreign exchange bureau is in that
area and once you exit customs you will be unable to change money at the
airport.
The room tariff at the hotel we accessed through International Hotel
Search.com was 28,050 CFP (around $220 US). Most rooms in the hotel appear
to be labelled 'Deluxe Standard'. There is also a 'Deluxe Superior' which
has a full ocean view.
The room we were allocated turned out to be spacious with a queen size bed,
a bed width foot stool, two armchairs, a table and the usual adornments. A
large drawer chest was a handy feature. The bathroom was a good size and had
a bath and separate shower, and a separate toilet. An unusual feature was
the large window in the bathroom which open on to the bedroom. There were
shutters which could close off the window for privacy.
Our outlook was over the tropical gardens, the hotel pool and with glimpses
of the sea. A generous balcony with outdoor furniture allowed us to take
advantage of the outlook.
In all we found the rooms of an excellent standard with all the usual
amenities and the couple of unusual features we have already mentioned.
The telephone did not have a computer modem so a replacement was requested
and it arrived within a few minutes.
We were also given a one page sheet of instructions which detailed a local
telephone access number and password so as to set up local Internet access.
Cost for this service was 130 CPF (about $1 US) per minute. Unfortunately
the access is quite slow, which is frustrating and, at $1 US per minute, can
be quite expensive.
In the early evening we had a drink (a beer cost 450 CPF or $3.50 US) in Le
Bar, which is located in the Lobby. Table service was not up to speed and a
number of guests were ordering direct from the bar, rather than wait. Nuts
and olives were served, a nice touch. Entertainment was being set up which
was to get underway around 7.30pm.
We then headed off to Le Sextant, where international buffets are held each
night. This was a Wednesday night and the theme was Italian. The selection
was quite good, both cold and hot dishes, salads, a lot of sea food, breads,
bread sticks, cheeses and desserts. On stand-by was a chef waiting to cook
up a variety of pasta dishes.
The quality of the food was quite good and the service very good. Cost of
the buffet was 7,600 CFP (about $60 US), although this tended to vary over
different nights. Tax is applied to all purchases of 4%.
Entertainment is provided on Thursday nights when the theme is Tahitian, and
on Mondays nights which are reserved for the New Caledonian theme. Tuesday
and Friday nights are Seafood nights, Saturday 'Around the World' and
Sundays the 'French Bistrot Evening'. Despite the change of theme each night
the range of dishes varied little. The same salads, appetisers, desserts and
vegetable dishes were put out each night.
The hotel also features a fine dining restaurant, Hippocampe which provides
traditional French dishes and an international wine list, and a classic
Japanese restaurant, Shogun.
The hotel has a health club, disappointingly there are only manual running
machines (two). There are four Cybex strength machines, massage facilities,
some dumb bells and a sauna. There is also an extensive skin care clinic and
hair salon. Tennis Courts are also on the premises.
A nearby games rooms offers 'billiards' (more aptly, a pool table) and table
tennis. These facilities, and health club usage, are complimentary.
The pool is very large and is surrounded by palm trees, ponds with live fish
and gardens. Immediately adjacent is the beach. The sands are not quite
white but they are an inviting alternative to the pool area for those that
prefer to swim in the ocean. The hotel offers equipment for sailing,
wind-surfing, diving, kayaking, peddle-boating and mountain biking. The
beach runs along past the adjoining Le Chateau Club Med and extends to the
main beaches of Noumea. The main beach area is easily accessed by walking
along the Le Meridien Beach. In the main beaches strip you'll find a host of
restaurants, cafes and a discoteque. The major hotels are in this area.
Aside from the Le Meridien and Club Med is the Parkroyal and the Novotel Le
Surf. In the adjacent bay is the Hotel Ibis. All these hotels face the
ocean, separated only by the main highway, except in the case of the Le
Meridien and the Club Med, both of which are oceanfront properties.
TV and cable TV channels are available in the rooms, most are in French.
There is one Japanese channel, a Euro news channel in English and an
Australian Broadcasting Commission channel beamed from Perth. TCM (Turner
Classic Movies) also features movies in English.
Being a province of France, the main language throughout New Caledonia of
course is French. English is spoken, however it is quite limited. The hotel
staff have only moderate skills in English, and the same for Japanese. All
signs throughout the hotel are translated into English and Japanese.
Restaurant menus, in-room compendiums and telephone information are the
same.
Telephone calls from the hotel, as stated in the hotel directory, are 'very
expensive', as is Internet access.
The hotel staff are particularly hospitable. They go out of their way to
assist. There is a friendly concierge team ready to assist with the "golden
keys" to Noumea. They can reconfirm flights, recommend restaurants and make
reservations, point you to the best duty free shops and jewellers, fashion
boutiques and attractions. They can organise excursions, car rentals and
more.
There is a Casino adjacent to the hotel and easily accessed from the front
lobby. Only one of the three floors appear to operate and the only gaming
facilities appeared to be poker machines, of which there were about 100. The
decor, and machines, appeared quite tired. There was no glamour or
excitement. The main clientele appeared to be locals.
 Le
Meridien Hotel Noumea New Caledonia 
Location Situated 10 minutes from the city centre, the Le
Meridien Hotel Noumea is one of the most prestigious locations in New
Caledonia that lies at the tip of Pointe Magnin. With direct access to
the beach and the nearby casino, the hotel is 15 minutes from the
18-hole Tina Golf Course and Tjibaou Cultural Centre. Rooms The
hotel has elegantly furnished bedrooms that are comfortable and equipped
with a host of modern amenities. Restaurant You can dine at the
L'Hippocampe Restaurant, which serves gourmet French cuisine in an
elegant and intimate atmosphere. Overlooking the veranda and the
gardens, the Le Bar is a perfect meeting place for pre-dinner drinks,
accompanied by musical entertainment. General Providing a
prestigious setting for any event, the hotel boasts 3 elegant meeting
rooms, accommodating up to 400 delegates. |
|
