Noumea, Le Meridien, Le Faré

September 04 2011 by Rebecca Varidel in Travelling | 0 Comments

When I was growing up, most of the kids in my school class went to their family’s choice of the same beachside house each summer holidays. There’s a comfort in having a home away from home. My family travelled more, but we also had a regular seaside town we visited each year. That’s the kind of feeling I get at Le Meridien. I’ve been before, and as soon as I arrived back this year, for some winter sunshine and swimming, any tension just disappeared. A feeling of comfortable ease and familiarity just kicked in.

Of course there’s more to Noumea than that. But Le Meridien is my preferred base to lay in a deck chair and relax. For us who that “je ne parle pas français” it still seems a bit exotic to listen to that sexy language and observe the sexy style of the French travellers.

Noumea and Le Meridien revive my jeux de vie.

Part of my rest and relaxation in Noumea included enjoying the casual lunchtime dining at the beachside Le Faré restaurant at Le Meridien. Though we ordered from the a la carte, there is also a delicious cook your own BBQ available.

The Le Meridien beach backs on to the resort pool so the deckchairs can face either way. Sitting (or should I say sunbathing … or sleeping …) poolside, the Le Faré cabana also provided drinks and other refreshments such as French Fries – served in the true French style, with mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, napkins, and even a refresher towel.

When it came to our mains, although I always order well, I must say I had serious food envy. Not knowing my lunchtime companion all that well, I wasn’t able to do my usual trick of swap and share.

It wasn’t all about food envy though. I did manage to bring back a delicious winter tan along with a whole lot of other winter pampering. The rooms at Le Meridien are light filled and spacious, with seaside decor of blue and white stripes, a very large bathroom with separate shower and bath, a separate room for the toilet, and large relaxing balconies.

Along with its French history, the Melanesian mix brings an island elegance to New Caledonia that is more stylish than others in the Pacific. Noumea – and Le Meridien resort – is my pick for my exotic home away from home.