Noumea HotelsCase Del Sole

I have heard mixed reports on the condition and operation of several Noumea Hotels of late.Some have even closed down.
Le Pacifique located in the NC Nouvata Park Hotel complex is reported as good value,although slightly run down. Several "motel " type hotels are strictly for the "dogs',while several decent complex resorts are very good,although very much 5 star + prices. eg. Casa Del Sole.
I have heard that YHA is good as hostels go,but I want more of a resort type experience and meet a few world travellers while I am there.
Are the Smoking laws as strict as most European countries ? I definitely do not want to be too close to smokers.

Any Planteers who have been to Noumea lately please give me some info.I am planning on a week in Noumea in October.
The only time I went there was on a cruise several years ago, I was too hung over to appreciate the place and now want to "discover' its treats.
Is Noumea as expensive for everything as I am being warned about ?

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<hr>Are the Smoking laws as strict <hr></blockquote>- dont know about the laws but many people there DO smoke. Im an anti-smoker and was never bothered so should be no problem for you.

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<hr>Is Noumea as expensive for everything as I am being warned about ?<hr></blockquote> - it CAN be expensive but need not be eg buy food/grog from the market or supermarkets. Buy luch from a sandwich shop. Hotel prices are reasonable.

I found it expensive coming from NZ, but on the other hand there are still some bargains if you self cater and utilise the markets. Chilling out on the beach doesn't cost anything!

"Le Pacifique located in the NC Nouvata Park Hotel complex is reported as good value,although slightly run down. Several "motel " type hotels are strictly for the "dogs',while several decent complex resorts are very good,although very much 5 star + prices. eg. Casa Del Sole."

Be VERY careful with the Nouvata Park Hotel. My husband and I were booked into what we thought was the Nouvata Park Hotel in January this year. When we arrived we discovered we were staying at the Le Pacifique wing next door which apart from a gorgeous pool had very little to recommend it. We paid 3 star money for less than a two star place. If it had been a little budget place I wouldn't have been too concerned but for the price we paid, it was definitely not worth the money. I disliked the place so much we checked out early and went to stay at the Casa Del Sole.

My family is from NC and I have now stayed at numerous hotels in Noumea. The best I have stayed at BY FAR, is the Casa Del Sole.

The smoking laws are more lax than in many European countries. That being said however, I didn't encounter any problems.

Noumea can can be expensive but the tip is to avoid eating at the tourist havens at Anse Vata and go where the locals go. There are little snack vans dotted between the Baie Des Citrons and Anse Vata that offer filling meals for a reasonable cost. Near the Baie De L'Orphelinat about 20 mins walk from the Casa Del Sole is a great little coffee bar where you can get a lovely breakfast consisting of a croissant/pain au chocolat; half baguette with butter and jam; coffee and juice for the equivalent of $10 AUD. It is called "La Case a Cafe". There's a pole with a huge 3D cup of coffee on it. Diagonally across from there is a shopping mall with a large Casino supermarket where you can stock up on groceries if you want to do some self-catering.

At Chez Alban at Baie Des Citrons, there is a very reasonably priced pizzeria/restaurant called Chez Alban. The waiters are a bit snooty but the food is good.

At Trianon there is a little creperie that has been around for over 40 years called La Creperie Bretonne where you can get great reasonably priced meals.

Good luck.

We loved having breakfast at the market cafe - usually a pain au chocolate, pain au raison or croque monsieur and Grande Cafe au Lait.