L’Escapade Îlot Maître Hotel in New Caledonia

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Updated: November 27, 2020
By Santorini Dave

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Review of L'Escapade Îlot Maître Hotel in New Caledonia.

L’Escapade Island Resort – Island retreat with Noumea’s only above-water bungalows.

Only twenty-five minutes by boat from the city center, this appropriately-named resort is based on a Crusoe-esque islet of forests and coral. The design of the Overwater Bungalows is simple. Inside, there are touches of Melanesia and the bungalows are spacious enough, with separate living areas and huge marble bathrooms. But it’s really all about the setting: perched above the water away from the shore, with broad views across the harbor. The Garden Bungalows, however, are clustered too tightly together, with walls of windows offering maximum views but minimal privacy. Those facing the sea are far better, of course. The pool is always busy and the beaches mostly rocky, but the water is reasonably calm. Avoid weekends and school holidays when rates can triple, and crowds, including day-trippers, are overwhelming.

L’Escapade Îlot Maître – The Basics

  • Location: On Îlot Maître island, accessible by free resort boat 4 times a day (25 minutes). Boats leave from a special terminal at the Baie de la Moselle marina, just down from the market in the center of Noumea on the main island. The terminal is about 40 minutes from the international airport and 15 minutes from the domestic airport. Note: the resort is spread across one half of the island; the rest is also open to the public.
  • Guests: More suited to couples seeking a quiet getaway, but families with younger children would also enjoy the setting.
  • Beach: The best strip of sand is the public beach along the western half of the island. Most of the shoreline around the resort grounds is rocky, but still swimmable and excellent for snorkeling.
  • Views: All Overwater Bungalows face the sea and offer 180-degree views. Garden Bungalows may offer some sea glimpses, while the Beach Bungalows overlook the water.
  • Wi-Fi Internet: Decent amount of data offered free per day per bungalow.
  • Parking: No vehicles on the island. Ask the management about parking on the mainland.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (687) 260 512
  • Email: resa@glphotels.nc
  • Website: glphotels.nc

L’Escapade Îlot Maître – Amenities

  • Pool: Nice setting: raised and facing the sea. But always busy and alongside the bar/restaurant. With a swim-up bar, it’s very popular.
  • Spa: A hut in the far eastern end of the island offers Thai massages but nothing else.
  • Fitness Center: None.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: None.
  • Activities: All sorts of water-sports can be arranged, including paddleboards, jet-skis, banana boats, and kayaks, but costs are high.

L’Escapade Îlot Maître – Food and Drink

  • Restaurants & Bars: Le Restaurant serves substantial buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with some à la carte options also available. The public is always welcome; in fact, a buffet lunch is part of a popular day-trip from the city. • The Snack Bar in the public (western) half of the island offers simple meals and cold drinks.
  • Breakfast: A full buffet breakfast is included in the rates.
  • Room Service: Available 24 hours a day.

L’Escapade Îlot Maître – Rooms

  • Room Types: Overwater Bungalow • Beach Bungalow • Garden Bungalow
  • Smoking Rooms: Smoking is not allowed anywhere in or near the rooms or public areas, but is OK in the gardens and on the beaches.
  • Best Room: The place to stay is in one of the gorgeous Overwater Bungalows perched above the sea. The décor may be simple, but they are reasonably spacious and the views are unparalleled anywhere in or near Noumea.

L’Escapade Îlot Maître – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

  • There are no other places to eat or drink on the island. The resort boat to the mainland is timed to allow guests to enjoy lunch in (and a walk around) the city center, but not for evening meals.

Nearby Market or Grocery

  • Very basic supplies available on the island, so come prepared.

Local Transport

  • No transport on the island. See above for details about reaching the island by boat.

L’Escapade Îlot Maître – What’s Nearby?

The resort boat leaves from the Noumea marina 4 times a day.

Four times a day, the resort boat leaves a special terminal in the Baie de la Moselle marina in the center of Noumea.

The comfortable resort boat takes guests to the mainland for free.

The large and comfortable resort boat is free for guests and takes about 25 minutes to reach the island.

The boat to the mainland can be access using the extended island jetty.

The boat from the mainland docks at the end of an extended jetty on the island.

The clear waters are ideal for snorkeling.

Waters around the island are ideal for snorkeling.

The resort features exclusive Overwater Bungalows.

The resort is renowned for its over-the-water bungalows, the only ones in and around Noumea.

The pool is by the water and gives excellent views.

The pool is raised above the sand and faces the harbor.

The pool and swim-up bar are always busy and noisy.

The pool is always busy and often noisy because of the swim-up bar and location alongside the restaurant.

The large pool has 2 sections and is very inviting.

The pool has 2 sections with plenty of space for everyone.

The views from the island extend to Noumea.

Although the island is about 25 minutes from the mainland, views from the beaches extend to Noumea.

The resort coastline sports white sands and calm waters.

Part of the coastline around the resort has white sand and calm water.

The beach is rocky and unsuitable for walking in places.

Not all of the shore around the island is sandy, with many rocky parts unsuitable for walking but still okay for swimming and snorkeling.

The Garden Bungalows can be reached by shady paths.

Shady paths through the island lead to the Garden Bungalows.

The old chapel on the island is still used for services.

Among the undeveloped part of the island is an old chapel which is still used for services.

The guests' lounge by the lobby is very appealing.

The guest lounge near the lobby area adds to the relaxed ambience.

The bar at Le Restaurant is popular for dinks.

Le Restaurant features an extended bar that serves all sorts of drinks.

The restaurant buffers are very popular.

The resort restaurant offers substantial buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which are also available to the public.

Overwater Bungalows are connected by an extended pier.

An extended pier leads to the Overwater Bungalows about 50m from the shore.

The Overwater Bungalows are plain and boxy.

The design of the bungalows is surprisingly simple with an oversized roof and box-shaped bathroom.

The Overwater Bungalows have several windows that optimize the sea views.

Plenty of windows maximize the magnificent sea views.

Overwater Bungalow furnishing are bland but nice.

Furnishings in the Overwater Bungalows are a tad bland but nice enough.

The Overwater Bungalows have ample seating.

There are plenty of seats from which to enjoy the sea views.

The wooden patio of Overwater Bungalows offers great views.

Each Overwater Bungalow contains a wooden patio with lounge chairs.

The patio has a ladder going down to the water.

A ladder from the patio leads to the sparkling waters.

The Overwater Bungalows have marble bathrooms.

The Overwater Bungalows feature large marble bathrooms.

Overwater Bungalow bedrooms are plain but afford nice views.

Bedrooms in the Overwater Bungalows are surprisingly plain but do boast lovely views.

The window walls of Garden Bungalows hamper privacy.

Garden Bungalows feature 2 walls of windows which affect privacy.

The resort spa only offers Thai massages.

Inside this modest building, only Thai massages are offered.

The resort occupies only half of the island.

The resort is based on half of the island; the rest is open to the public.

The Snack Bar serves cold drinks and simple meals.

The Snack Bar on the public half of the island serves cold drinks and simple meals.

The resort offers water sports facilities.

Water-sports are available to guests and the public.

Jet-skiing is very popular at the resort.

Jet-skiing is one of the many water-sports available on the island.

The public half of the island is very busy on weekends and holidays.

The half of the island open to the public can become very busy during weekends and school holidays.

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Santorini Dave Author Bio. Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.