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It’s always an exciting news when there’s a new opportunity to redeem hotel rewards points for stays that are memorable and we get to maximize points for an exotic award stay such as over the water bungalows resorts.
Hilton recently made an announcement that they open a new DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort in New Caledonia. The renovated resort consists of 64-bungalow room types which include overwater bungalows that offer beautiful lagoon view and authentic island’s experience. The resort requires a complimentary 30-minute boat transfer from the New Caledonia’s capital, Noumea.
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| Photo Credit: DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort |
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Where is New Caledonia?
My first thought when I saw the news, I was wondering right away “Where in the world is New Caledonia?”
According to the Wikipedia, New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It’s located east of Australia and south of Vanuatu. In other words, it’s a French territory that is near Australia or New Zealand (Oceania) side of the world.
What Airlines that Fly to New Caledonia?
New Caledonia is such a remote island to fly into. The capital city is called Noumea and the airport code is NOU. As points enthusiast, my second thought is how to get there on airline miles?
It appears that given how exotic and faraway New Caledonia is, there are not many airlines options out there that fly to the island, especially from United States. At the time of this writing, there are currently five (5) airlines that fly to New Caledonia:
- Air New Zealand
- Qantas
- Air Vanuatu
- Aircalin
- Air France
The best way to fly to New Caledonia it to position yourself to nearby countries such as Australia or New Zealand. A quick flight search shows that it takes around 3 hours one-way from Sydney to Noumea and the cost of a round-trip ticket is around $500!
Your second option is to fly non-stop from Japan to Noumea with Aircalin, and for those going from Paris or Europe to New Caledonia, you should expect long flight time with connection in Australia or Japan. Similar to those that leave from United States, there will be connections and long flight time to reach New Caledonia.
Redeeming Hilton Honors Points For An Award Stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort
Currently, because DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort is a very new Hilton property, it is not possible to use Hilton Honors points for redemption yet.
The standard room starts with a King Garden Bungalow, King Deluxe Garden Bungalow, then King and King Deluxe Beach Bungalow before King Overwater Bungalow.
Generally speaking, Hilton Honors Diamond elite members receive complimentary upgrade to the next category room. But I am very optimistic that the property may offer you a free upgrade for Diamond guests to the next preferred room type, up to the King Overwater Bungalow. That was what happened to our amazing stays at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Conrad Bora Bora Nui resort in French Polynesia.
Complimentary Breakfast For Hilton Honors Gold & Diamond Members
Because this is a DoubleTree property, as a Hilton Honors Gold or a Hilton Honors Diamond member, you’ll also receive complimentary continental breakfast for you and up to one additional guest registered to the same room each day for your stay. When it comes to dining at a remote island, I anticipate food and drinks to be really expensive there.
Just to recap, here are the benefits of Hilton Honors Diamond members staying at a DoubleTree by Hilton property:
- Space-available upgrade to a preferred room
- 1,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points per stay
- A complimentary continental breakfast for you and up to one additional guest registered to the same room each day of your stay
- Executive Floor Lounge Access (available at select properties) – Not sure if this property has a lounge.
Complimentary Boat Transfer to the Resort
To reach DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort, a 30-minute boat ride is required from Port Moselle Wharf K0 in Noumea. Reservations are essential, with check-in 15 minutes before boat departure. Please contact the resort for the boat timetable and advise any mobility issues at [email protected]
Resort Photos
If you’d like to see more photos of the resort, go here.
Conclusion
It is really exciting to see that Hilton presents a fully renovated DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort and new opportunity destination that offer a true island experience and culture along with a beautiful overwater bungalow resort in New Caledonia. While New Caledonia is faraway and difficult to get to from United States, it’s still very nice to see that we now have another option to use Hilton Honors points and Hilton Free Weekend Night Reward. The Hilton Honors Diamond elite status perks will also be very beneficial while staying at this DoubleTree property.
We are adding the DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort in New Caledonia to our Worldwide Overwater Bungalows You Can Book With Points.
