I spent my New Year vacation last year at Ils de Pins. The main island is more of a nickel mining island than a pristine beach resort island, to be sure. When approaching a city of Noumea, I saw a huge nickel processing plant that made me wonder is this supposed to be the tropical paradise?? So spend as little time as possible in Noumea. Sure there are some nice bistros in town but prices are nearly Parisian as well, if not more. As other posters have suggested, the beauty of the New Caledonia is most appreciated by visiting the outer islands. The Meridien Ils De Pins is the only truely luxury hotel in outer islands; its location is sublime surrounded by lagoons. The water is so transparent like Maldivies but there are alot of seasnakes.. do watch out for them! The island was named so by Captain Cook who thought the tall straight trees dotting the islands seemed like pine trees, although they belong to the cedar family. Oh yes, in order to get to the outer islands, you must depart from the domestic airport that is one hour away from the international airport. Reservations with Air Caledonie can be done
via internet.