Port Douglas/Palm Cove apartment advice.

[ReLoad]

Hi All.

Heading up to FNQ 23-30 June this year with the family in tow.
2 adults and 2x 5 year olds.

Advice on apartments in and around Port Douglas/Palm cove.
Looking at around $2k for the 7 nights.

Ill be working during the day but the wife and kids will be on rancho relaxo time, so would like somewhere near the beach and a good pool.

Any tips or advise would be most welcome.

last year we stayed in Cairns for the week, so been there done that.

Thanks AFF!

 

[dfcatch]

Hi All.

Heading up to FNQ 23-30 June this year with the family in tow.
2 adults and 2x 5 year olds.

Advice on apartments in and around Port Douglas/Palm cove.
Looking at around $2k for the 7 nights.

Ill be working during the day but the wife and kids will be on rancho relaxo time, so would like somewhere near the beach and a good pool.

Any tips or advise would be most welcome.

last year we stayed in Cairns for the week, so been there done that.

Thanks AFF!

Anywhere in Palm Cove is near the beach.

Without looking at prices - my first places to look would be Mantra Amphora or Sea Temple. Both have great pools to keep Mini-ReLoads entertained.

Port Douglas - all the resorts have great pools (pretty much), some are closer to town than others and the best ones (Sea Temple, Sheraton) have direct beach access too.

 

[vbap]

We have stayed at Verandahs last 2 times with our kids (when they were 4/6yo, and 6/8yo) and love the location (central PD - easy walk to either beach or shops; when our youngest was 4 we used a stroller, but he's just lazy ).
Rooms are great - Owners Sue and Greg are wonderful. Will go out of their way to help if you need; will leave you alone if you don't.
They have a very good pool - nice surrounding palms give afternoon shade.
No need to bring beach/pool stuff - they can supply.

 

[Boogs]

We stayed at the sea temple palm cove wjith our young family. Great pools for the younger ones with access to the beach. The walk into palm cove is a little long but the nights are warm so not too much of a hassle. Booked it through stayz.com and saved a packet.
enjoy.

 

[smit0847]

I much prefer Trinity Beach to Palm Cove and Port Douglas. It's smaller, cheaper, more manageable, more picturesque and far less tourists. PD is full of couples on their honeymoon and the retailers charge them accordingly.

Trinity Beach still that has slightly sleepy rural seaside town feel to it - the beach is absolutely stunning, and all the accom options are 5 mins walk from each other (and the beach - most accom places are less than 50 metres from the beach).

 

[Neeraj]

Mrs neeraj and I just came back from FNQ and I cannot speak highly enough of the Sea Temple. Huge pool and spa as well, hotel restaurant is 5 star and if you are an Accor member you get great discounts.

Palm cove we stayed at the sea temple there as well. Once again a great stay.

 

[vetrade]

Mrs neeraj and I just came back from FNQ and I cannot speak highly enough of the Sea Temple. Huge pool and spa as well, hotel restaurant is 5 star and if you are an Accor member you get great discounts.

Palm cove we stayed at the sea temple there as well. Once again a great stay.

+ 1 for Sea Temple - have stayed at both the Palm Cove and PD ones and they are both great. It's a lovely walk along the beach from the PD Sea Temple in to town but it might be a bit far for the kids - then again it'll make them tired so they sleep well! Should be able to get a good deal this time of year (unless there's school holidays on)

 

[kevrosmith]

ReLoad, I can highly recommend Reflections on Port Douglas. Reflections of Port Douglas Holiday Accommodation with all the luxuries you'd expect!

It's right on Macrossan Street, 3 doors down from the beach, very short walk to all the shops and restaurants, but down the quiet end of Macrossan street.

And very rare for Port Douglas, due to all the rainforest between the houses and beach, it actually has beach views if you are in the front 3 bedroom apartments - they're the ones at the front with the balconies in the pictures. (The 2 bedroom apartments are away from the road, and have garden views).

Tell Carmel that I referred you, or I'd be happy to get in touch with her on your behalf if you'd like. The standard rate might be a bit higher than your desired range, but I think the absolute convenience to Macrossan street and the beach are worth the extra $$s. (My previous locals quote from Carmel would fit your budget ). PM me if you want more details (or txt if you still have my number).

 

[kevrosmith]

Vue at Trinity Beach is also another option. Home - Vue Trinity Beach - Trinity Beach Apartments, Cairns 5 Star Accommodation The standard rates might stretch your budget, but it's great location, great views, stairs down to the beach and to the Trinity Beach Tavern, which is great for meals (great kids play area too). Fewer resort (& non-resort) style retail options in Trinity Beach (cf. Palm Cove and Port), though Smithfield Shopping Centre is 5-10 minute drive away.

 

[samh004]

DO NOT stay at Rendezvous Reef Resort in PD, family and I stayed there recently and had the worst service. Wrote about the things we did, including food snaps in my blog (linked in signature) from 2 weeks ago incase you're interested on my take.

 

[ReLoad]

Thanks for all the great tips everyone, the budget is a bit flexible, we were planning on a cruise later in the year too, but it looks like work will take over that time, so we will have extra budget to spare for this trip.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Peppers at Palm Cove is good too, book directly with them, not through the corporate site for substantial discounts, particularly off-peak. Can post some pics from a trip there last year if you like.

 

[SeatBackForward]

We went in February last year, which is the off-season because it rains a lot, there is a threat of cyclones and you can't swim at the beach because of the jellyfish and stingers - despite the netted off areas. The resort was very empty and we had a room that led directly onto the lagoon pool. The lagoon pool has a sandy beach side which is great for the kids. A few of the stores and restaurants in the area were closed too because its not busy, but if you can drive there is a shopping centre about five mins away with supermarket, takeaway etc. The neaby restuarants can be quite pricey though.

By the smaller pool


The smaller pool again


Looking out from room to the lagoon pool


The spa sits between the lagoon and the smaller pool


This is the front of the resort. The beach is literally across this road

 

[SeatBackForward]

This is the road between the resort and the beach, note the kids playground, this is also directly outside the resort, probably only really fun if your kids are under 5


The lagoon pool at night, there is a swim up bar too.


The lagoon beach by night.

 

[ReLoad]

Looks great SeatBackForward the pool looks awesome!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Looks great SeatBackForward the pool looks awesome!

Yeah thats the main reason we chose Peppers. Our son was just over 2yrs at that time, and couldn't swim. Considering the beach was off-limit anyhow, having a pool that he could use was one of the key things we were looking for. he keeps asking when we can go back to "Peppers House"

There is also a third secluded pool, that I think is meant to be for adults only. I didn't snap any photos of it...

 

[Danger UXB]

Peppers at Palm Cove is good too, book directly with them, not through the corporate site for substantial discounts, particularly off-peak. Can post some pics from a trip there last year if you like.

Hi Back seat forward.I too have stayed here in the past with the Clan UXB. Booked thru departurelounge.com.au and got it for nearly half price compared to corporate site. Looking to go in July this year and departure lounge is blocked out in this time frame. How far ahead did you book when you booked directly with the property? The low rates have not appeared on lastminute.com yet, and I'm looing to finalise soon Cheers Danger UXB

 

[SeatBackForward]

Hi Back seat forward.I too have stayed here in the past with the Clan UXB. Booked thru departurelounge.com.au and got it for nearly half price compared to corporate site. Looking to go in July this year and departure lounge is blocked out in this time frame. How far ahead did you book when you booked directly with the property? The low rates have not appeared on lastminute.com yet, and I'm looing to finalise soon Cheers Danger UXB

We went in February which is very low season. Less than 10% capacity. We booked about December, about two months in advance. Peak periods probably need much more.

 

[ferni]

We are looking at heading somewhere FNQ in early November for 3-4 nights. Looking for recommendations on where to stay, open to Port Douglas or Palm Cove or any other suggestions?

SeatBackForward - How did you book directly with Peppers@Palm Cove? It's about 299/n everywhere I look....

 

[ReLoad]

Vue Appartments at trinity beach were fantastic, great rooms, amazing view, great pool etc.

Highly recommend them.

Thanks to Kevrosmith for putting us onto them.