InterContinental Lifou Wadra Bay Resort

First, a little orientation: Lifou is one of the outer islands of New Caledonia, a French territory a few hundred miles off the east coast of Australia. And on the south side of the island, on a picture-perfect white-sand beach, is the InterContinental Lifou Wadra Bay Resort, a high-end seaside escape from a brand that knows a thing or two about delivering a consistent luxury experience to any corner of the globe.

It’s smallish, for an InterContinental, at just 50 rooms; Lifou Island isn’t yet the sort of place that can handle much more. This leaves plenty of attention to be paid to each one of its rooms, bungalows, and villas, and it shows. The rooms are a perfectly measured blend of luxury-hotel swank and tropical canopy-bed fantasy, while the villas add private outdoor hot tubs and direct beach access.

The spa benefits from the combination of French and Melanesian traditions, and so do the restaurants, the high-end Ömöm and the more casual poolside Sewen. Kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment are available on site, and if you’re a scuba diver you’ll want to set aside time to explore Lifou’s lagoon up close.