Port Douglas

[boylero]

Planning a short getaway to Port Douglas for the June Long weekend, flying from BNE to CNS, looking for transit suggestions and hotels, resorts etc. Will have partner and infant in tow so a self contained apartment would be ideal.

TIA

 

[jneufeld]

We were there is Dec 2012, stayed at the Peppers Beach Club which was fantastic, and we managed to get a pretty good rate too from memory. Apartment had everything we needed including a BBQ on the balcony overlooking the pool. The pool is the best and the resort is only a 5 min walk to the beach. We hired a car for the 5 days we were there which made getting around easy.

 

[Limewood]

Have friends stay here in Cairns, at Port Douglas be close in town, some are 20+ minutes walk. have a meal at the tin shed while there.

Could try here too.

 

[smit0847]

I much prefer the Cairns Northern Beaches (Trinity Beach, Palm Cove etc) to Pt Douglas (stayed at both). Much cheaper, less people, more laid back, lots of beach-front properties.

My favourite part of Australia.

 

[markis10]

I much prefer the Cairns Northern Beaches (Trinity Beach, Palm Cove etc) to Pt Douglas (stayed at both). Much cheaper, less people, more laid back, lots of beach-front properties.

My favourite part of Australia.

I agree, Palm Cove feels like that small holiday village to a certain extent, while being close enough to either Cairns or Port Douglas for excursions.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

over New Year we stayed at the Lazy Lizard Motel on Davidson Street. Opposite the Mirage resort. About a ten minute walk into Macrossan Street. See the reviews on TA we were impressed and only paid $105 pn Fabulous pool. Spotless large units free wifi and great owners Just not right in the middle of things and yes have a meal in the working men's club and watch the sunset I don't think you will get better value. Look at Palm Beach too but not sure on prices

 

[samh004]

Don't stay at the Rendezvous Reef Resort is all I shall add. Dirty, bad and unfriendly customer service and not worth it.

 

[kevrosmith]

Reflections of Port Douglas Reflections of Port Douglas Holiday Accommodation with all the luxuries you'd expect! is one of the few places in Port Douglas which have views of the beach (there's a rainforest barrier between most places and the beach). (Caveat: if you're in the front apartments). It's less than 50 metres from the beach, and at the quiet end of Macrossan St, so easy access to all the shops and restaurants in town. Give Carmel a call and see what deal she can give you.

I've had friends get a "repeat-visitor" discount when mentioning a reference from me at Vue Trinity Beach Trinity Beach Accommodation - Trinity Beach Accommodation. Trinity is a lot quieter than PD and Palm Cove. Palm Cove has more of a village resort feel along the whole Esplanade.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Heaps of places to stay in PD and to suit all budgets. The Mantra Portsea is close to town and a nice place to stay with a good pool as well as a children's pool and a separate lap pool, although the breakfast isn't the best.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I agree, Palm Cove feels like that small holiday village to a certain extent, while being close enough to either Cairns or Port Douglas for excursions.

We only stopped in to visit Palm Cove, but we much preferred Port Douglas. Much more happening, more of a proper town atmosphere and the Barrier Reef trips and evening sailing out of PD beats the offerings from Cairns.

Palm Cove feels like just the strip along the beach and that's it. Each to their own though .

 

[markis10]

Palm Cove feels like just the strip along the beach and that's it. Each to their own though .

Thats exactly what it is, a little town type feel, but with some pretty good options re accommodation and food, while being close enough to both if it feels a little bit to small.

 

[AdMEL]

Heaps of places to stay in PD and to suit all budgets. The Mantra Portsea is close to town and a nice place to stay with a good pool as well as a children's pool and a separate lap pool, although the breakfast isn't the best.

We only stopped in to visit Palm Cove, but we much preferred Port Douglas. Much more happening, more of a proper town atmosphere and the Barrier Reef trips and evening sailing out of PD beats the offerings from Cairns.

Palm Cove feels like just the strip along the beach and that's it. Each to their own though .

Agreed. I have stayed at Mantra Portsea twice and it was fine, but primarily because it was dirt cheap - $70 a night for two people the first time without breakfast and $90 the second time, with breakfast - as you say, the breakfast wasn't the best. About a 10-15 min walk from the centre of PD.

Much prefer PD to Palm Cove too.

 

[get me outta here]

I looked at all the TripAdvisor reports and contacted the number 1, The Lazy Lizard. I have booked and all communications so far have been good and this is part of their description: The Queen Studio is a very large 36 sq meters spacious self-contained unit with a queen bed & a single bed, a full ensuite bathroom, kitchenette, dining and divan. The garden terrace and free undercover parking are situated at the front of the units. All units are on the ground floor which we service daily.

over New Year we stayed at the Lazy Lizard Motel on Davidson Street. Opposite the Mirage resort. About a ten minute walk into Macrossan Street. See the reviews on TA we were impressed and only paid $105 pn Fabulous pool. Spotless large units free wifi and great owners Just not right in the middle of things and yes have a meal in the working men's club and watch the sunset I don't think you will get better value. Look at Palm Beach too but not sure on prices

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

I looked at all the TripAdvisor reports and contacted the number 1, The Lazy Lizard. I have booked and all communications so far have been good and this is part of their description: The Queen Studio is a very large 36 sq meters spacious self-contained unit with a queen bed & a single bed, a full ensuite bathroom, kitchenette, dining and divan. The garden terrace and free undercover parking are situated at the front of the units. All units are on the ground floor which we service daily.

i don't think you will be disappointed. It is a small kitchenette though with a microwave not hot plates but that was fine Rooms are large and spotless. At $105 or similar it's great value Owners were great

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Probably too late to the thread but my preference in the region is the Hilton in Cairns (older but I like it although I base this predominantly on status benefits) and the Sheraton Mirage at Port Douglas. Be careful with Port Douglas "cheaper" accommodation as we've been horrified by some of the supposed cheap deals. I agree with Sam about the Rendezvous....I couldn't get the car in reverse quick enough to get out whereas we got a very nice room (although dated) at the Mirage for just under $200/nite and the SPG guarantee can also be handy .

 

[Mr_Orange]

Hi boylero. If you are looking for something more luxurious then I highly recommend Niramaya. These are all self contained villas and are really, really nice. This is mainly because they are all at least 3 bedroomed and therefore very spacious. However, if you book a 1 or a 2 bedroom, they just lock the bedrooms you are not using so you still get the same living space, etc. It used to be the Peppers Bale resort. Not cheap, but well worth it. I spent 5 nights there with Mrs_O in March.

 

[dk4]

I agree with Sam about the Rendezvous...

I, however, completely disagree with what Sam said.

I think that Rendezvous in Port Douglas, represents great value for money, for a family getaway!

First off, let's define what a "villa" means in Australia, and I think that Wikipedia does that well:

In Australia "villas" or "villa units" are terms used to describe a type of townhouse complex which contains, possibly smaller attached or detached houses of up to 3-4 bedrooms that were built since the early 1980s

Now some pics:

Sure the kitchen in the unit features a combination convection/microwave oven, rather than a wall oven, but that is more than adequate for what it needs to do: Heat up a frozen pizza for the kids, etc. (You could probably even cook a small roast in it if you really wanted to dine in, instead of enjoying the vast array of restaurants in Port Douglas.) There is even a large communal BBQ area near one of the 4 onsite pools, which you can make use of!

No, the unit isn't serviced daily (unless you want to pay extra for a service), so after a day out your bed and bathroom look just like they did when you left in the morning. This is no different from most holiday let apartments in Australia.

The grounds aren't manicured within an inch of their life, but this isn't a 5 star property, nor is the price you pay to stay here! They do however offer a nice tropical outlook.

So, for great family value, if you have a car (which you really should hire, so you can get out and about to see everything) I think that people (in that market) should consider Rendezvous.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks dk4, I am booked and it will be just fine for my use, and the photos are reassuring. And, roasts are out on hols!

So, for great family value, if you have a car (which you really should hire, so you can get out and about to see everything) I think that people (in that market) should consider Rendezvous.