AussieJetSetter 100 Point Rating
73/100
- 9/10 Lounge Location
- 6/10 Food and Dining
- 8/10 Bar and Beverages
- 8/10 Seating
- 16/ 20 Lounge Condition and and Layout
- 16/ 20Service & Staff
- 10/ 20Amenities
Where is the Air Calins Hibiscus Lounge Located?
The Air Calin Hibiscus Lounge is not overly difficult to find in such a small airport. After clearing security and passport control proceed to the second floor and use either the stairs or lift to reach the lounge which is located above the gates and small shopping area.
Who Can Access the Lounge and When is it Open?
The Air Calin Hibiscus Lounge is the only lounge available at La Tontouta Airport and therefore services all premium passengers flying out of Noumea including on Air Calin, Qantas and Air New Zealand for their business class and or top-tier flyers. The Lounge opening hours vary but are generally open ahead of all international departures.
Lounge Design and Seating
Catering to the needs of a relatively small international airport it is no surprise that the Air Calin Hibiscus Lounge is rather compact but for what it lacks in size it offers a modern and comfortable layout. Upon exiting the lift at the second floor, there is a small reception area who will check you into the lounge. At the back of the lounge you will find a small food station (consisting of mainly snacks) and self serve bar. Catering to probably only to a maximum of 30-40 guests and in reality less than 10 passengers at the time of visiting the lounge can feel like offering a more intimate and exclusive experience.
There is a small assortment of seating offerings with relaxation chairs tending to be the most common which can rock back and forth. The lounge offers great natural lighting and some amazing colour backlighting helping give it a fresh feel. The lounge offers great views and with the unique design of the terminal means for great views of the tarmac and also the passenger departure area below. Whilst the lounge is certainly small and compact, it certainly excels in catering for the demand it receives.
Food and Beverage
Self Service Buffet
The Air Calin Hibiscus Lounge in Noumea features one of the more limited catering offerings for an international lounge catering mainly to business passengers. On our mid afternoon visit we didn’t notice any hot food or dishes or ‘plates of the day’ although there was a small selection of cold cuts, fruits, sandwiches and snacks including chips and pot noodles. Overall its a perfectly fine lounge for a quick snack before a flight where most likely you’ll be getting a meal anyway.
Self Service Bar
The Air Calins Hibiscus Lounge in Noumea has a small although decently stocked self service bar where you can sample several varieties of French White and Red wine, the popular local New Caledonian Beer Number One and a standard selection of spirits. Soft drinks, juices and a self serve coffee machine are also available. Most notable about this bar was the free flowing champagne available with Chassenay D’arce on ice which is hard to complain about when it costs around $60 a bottle in Australia!
Lounge Amenities
Due to the rather compact and limited patronage of this lounge it understandably doesn’t offer the full suite of amenties that you might expect at the bigger international lounges. Opposite the reception desk you can find a small range of newspapers and magazines (mainly in French). There is also a small business area with several desktops offering internet connection. Two televisions are in the lounge at opposite ends and appeared to be focused on French news broadcasts. Several charging ports are also available in the lounge and also free wifi which although wasn’t blazing fast was more than adequate for general browsing. Visit the reception for the wifi code.
The lounge doesn’t offer any restrooms or showers itself however toilets are located directly outside the lounge and with such few passengers the receptionist is unlikely to forget that you have already check in so no worries here.
Summing Up
Overall the Air Calin Hibiscus Lounge is a compact yet modern and airy facility that does a really good job for a small lounge operated by a small airline at a small airport. It offers great views of the tarmac and almost certainly your incoming or outgoing plane and has good natural and artificial lightning alike. Whilst it doesn’t have the most extensive or impressive food and beverage offering (aside from Champagne!) and full range of amenities it is a really comfortable place to relax with a snack and a drink before your flight. It is great that premium and elite tier Qantas and Air New Zealand passengers can experience the lounge and its French hospitality as well!
