Where to Stay: Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort
Where to Stay: Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort
Why I Chose to Travel to New Caledonia
To be really honest, just like most on our side of the world, I too had never heard of New Caledonia until I booked a 2-week trip to Fiji. While on that side of the world, I was looking for a little side trip to take. A Google search later led me to Australian blogger Haylsea and her New Caledonia blog post. Her pictures and videos were simply beautiful and I was instantly in awe of the tranquility and natural beauty this hidden gem of a country had to offer. And even better, New Caledonia was just a quick 2.5-hour plane ride away from where I was staying in Nadi, Fiji. That was all the sign I needed to book a ticket to see New Caledonia.
How to Get to New Caledonia
The Sheraton Deva is located in Bourail, New Caledonia. And to get to Bourail, you’ll need to fly into the La Tontouta International Airport (NOU).
IMPORTANT: Here's What You Should Know About the La Tontouta Airport
Although it’s an international airport, it definitely felt more like a U.S. regional airport. Meaning: restaurants, shops to purchase snacks, international SIM cards for your phone, etc. close very early and don’t continuously operate 24 hours/day. So be cognizant when landing at later or earlier times at La Tontouta International Airport (NOU).
Mistakenly I assumed when I landed, I’d be able to easily hire a cab to transport me to Bourail. Just kidding. After a certain time, the airport is like a ghost town with transportation too. Luckily, I stumbled upon the Arc de Ciel airport shuttle service while wandering around the pickup area outside of the airport the evening I landed.
How To Get From the Airport to the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort
The Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort is located about 1hr and 45 mins north of the La Tontouta International Airport (NOU). And in my opinion, by shuttle is the best way to get from the airport to Bourail because getting to the resort can be a bit tricky.
Pro-Tip: I would strongly suggest pre-arranging your airport shuttle prior to arriving in New Caledonia online with Arc de Ciel.
About the Arc de Ciel Shuttle Transportation Service to the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort
The price of a one-way shuttle ride will cost around 6100 South Pacific Francs (about $57 USD at the time of my trip) and is only payable by credit card as cash is not accepted. And although the Arc de Ciel shuttle runs 24 hours/day, they do not run continuously.
A Few Things to Know Before You Travel to New Caledonia
What Language Do They Speak in New Caledonia?
The official language of New Caledonia is French and English is not widely spoken outside of the resort. So brush up on a few key French words and phrases before you go. And keep the Google Translate app super handy.
How far is Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort & Spa from the airport?
The ride from the airport to the Sheraton Deva is south of 2 hours. So make sure to pack snacks, and water and use the restroom before boarding your shuttle.
Does Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort & Spa offer a free airport shuttle service?
As of my trip and publication of this post, the Sheraton Deva does not offer a free shuttle service.
“Honestly, I can truly confirm that the Sheraton Deva is one of the most Instagrammable places I’ve ever experienced. ”
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The Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort
The Main House and Reception Area of the Sheraton Deva
This resort is nothing short of stunning, which almost makes you forget the fact that it's soooo far away from the airport and the city of Noumea. I arrived in the middle of the night but I could easily see that the beautifully well-lit main house, front desk, and reception area was impressive either day or night. Intricately carved wood statues, large hanging lamps, and a wicker whale sculpture line the main hall and hang from the ceiling of the main house immediately caught my eye. And if you wander a bit further past the front desk area, the inviting conversation areas, the library, and the sunken bar, you’ll be rewarded with a view of the beautifully lit swimming pool.
Pro-Tip: Y’all, the swimming pool is stunning at night!
The Layout of Sheraton New Caledonia Deva
The accommodations at the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva can be best summed up in 5 Words: Fancy 5-star summer camp for adults.
But trust me, this ain't your typical sleep-away camp.
When it comes to the layout of the property it’s pretty simple: 2 story cabin rooms align the perimeter of the property offering mountain and golf course views. And traditional bungalow-room-like huts filling the interior of the property with some offering tropical beachfront views.
My Hotel Room at the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva
I stayed in an air conditioned 2 story cabin room with a mountain view. And every morning, I loved waking up to watch the sunrise above the mountains from the balcony of my room with a warm cup of coffee in my hand. And in the evening, I looked forward to peacefully watching the sun retire for the evening. If you are looking to get lost in nature and disconnect from the world, the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva is definitely the place.
And to complete the 5-Star experience, in your room you’ll find plush bathrobes, high thread count bed sheets, flat screen tv, and all-you-can-drink complimentary locally sourced bottles of water are just a few perks I enjoyed during my stay at the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva.
Getting Around the Sheraton Deva Resort
Here, golf carts are life.
The Sheraton Deva resort does have a bit of size to it. So getting to the swimming pool, dining in the restaurant, or transporting your luggage can be quite the trek on foot. Thankfully, the resort offers complimentary door-to-door golf-cart service (that comes in handy, especially at night).
To request front door golf cart service, just dial the operator and a golf cart will be dispatched to assist you to make your shlep in style.
Walking Around the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort
While the golf cart option was encouraged and readily available, 98% of the time, I choose to get my walk on during my stay. But this was only after I got a feel for the resort grounds and learned a few shortcuts to the main house. Plus, as a former resident of Houston for almost 18 years, I spent the majority of my time in a motorized vehicle. So I actually found my walks around the property therapeutic and relaxing. And it didn’t hurt that the weather was perfect, the views were breathtaking and the native free-roaming wild turkeys and exotic birds were exciting to see too.
Activities and Things To Do at The Sheraton Deva New Caledonia Resort
I’ve personally always found resorts to be such a great way to escape the world and this resort was no exception.
The Sheraton Deva is not only a resort but it’s also a beautiful 18-hole golf course and spa. Other amenities and activities include: relaxing by the swimming pool (highly recommended), working out in the fitness center, strolling on the beach (it’s literally just footsteps away), hiking trails, horseback riding, mountain biking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and more.
Pro-Tip: The complimentary map of the hiking trails I received from the reception desk was completely in French. If you aren’t up on your French, make sure to keep your Google Translate app handy for translation.
Dining Accommodations at the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort
The Sheraton Deva Resort offers 3 on-site restaurants: Reef, Creek Bar, and Sand Beach Grill. During my stay, I predominantly frequented Reef Restaurant for breakfast and dinner and Creek Bar for lunch.
In being completely transparent, I did find breakfast at the restaurant to be a bit pricey for someone like me who doesn’t eat a lot of breakfast food; however, I don’t doubt that any breakfast lover would’ve found the spread to be seriously impressive.
Pro-Tip: If you aren’t into breakfast like me, I discovered that I could order items à la carte instead of paying for the breakfast buffet every morning. This was awesome because ordering à la carte allowed me to not only order exactly what I wanted for breakfast (1 pancake, a couple of pieces of sausage, and a latte), but I was also able to save a little money too.
And if you don’t feel like “rising and shining” every morning, no worries. Don’t forget the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva offers 24/7 room service too.
Pro-Tip: Make sure to give your Marriott rewards number at check-in and after each meal for a discount.
The Service at the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort
Honestly, I felt like a queen during my stay and it was all because of Jose, Gregory, and Sebastian. They went above and beyond in making my stay truly memorable and they took mercy on me and my butchering of the French language. From bringing me complimentary coffee and appetizers with my dinner to making sure I stayed properly hydrated with bottles of locally sourced water, and beyond. The staff really made me feel special in their beautiful country that was so far from my home.
Final Thoughts on the Staying at the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort
My stay at the Sheraton Deva was great and just the reprieve I needed. And I would highly recommend staying here to anyone looking to relax and escape the world. Make sure to bookmark this post and don’t forget to add the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva to your bucket list of travel ideas. Thanks for reading.
-XOXO (as always)
Mel D.
Photography by Melissa “Mel” Drake
Thinking about traveling to New Caledonia? Let me know and let’s chat about it in the comments below.
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