Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Great Barrier Reef Hotel Recommendation

Hi,

I am trying to find a place somewhere at the GBR to stay for 3-4 nights at some point over the period 12/23/07-1/4/08 for a family of 5. I've never been to the area, so have no idea what kind of standards/prices to expect. I've done a search here and on the net, but have only ended up more confused with all of the places and types of places available.

Ideally, I'm looking for something relatively upscale, but doesn't need to be the best, maybe a limit of $500US MAX per night. Since we are 5 people traveling, we will need 2 rooms or some sort of 2 bedroom suite. In addition, I'd like it to be close to the beach/shops and have some sort of access to the reef.

Anyone have any suggestions as far as hotels or anything else? I looked into using points at the Sheraton Port Douglas, however the reviews have been atrocious.

In addition, we'd likely be flying into Cairns, unless anyone has any better ideas.

Thanks for your help!!

-Troy

I stayed at the Hilton Cairns two weeks ago and was very impressed. It is right on the water, and a short walk to shops, coffee shops, restaurants etc. However, you have chosen a time during summer school holidays and you might find it difficult to get good accommodation at such short notice.
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CRNHITW-Hilton-Cairns-hotel/index.do;jsessionid=C0F25B6FA5504609F54ACEDF392C19 7C.etc11?brand_id=HI&brand_directory=/en/hi/&xch=71129064,WD2UUWNYHF10MCSGBIYMVCQ

Some years ago, at the suggestion of a travel agent specializing in the area, we stayed for several days on Heron Island (www.heronisland.com). Accommodations were a bit rustic back then but, I understand, are much improved now. As I recall it is the only place to stay which is literally part of the GBR - you walk off the beach and you are on the reef! It was quite an amazing adventure. You transfer from Gladstone to Heron Island by launch or helicopter. It is a very special place.

Really need more details of what you are looking for to give you reasonable advice on this. Firstly are you wanting to just go to an island and spend your days snorkelling/diving and laying in the sun or do you want an all round holiday with shopping, cultural experiences, etc other than beach/reef related? A good guide would also be the ages of those in your group. You said a family of 5 but is this 5 adults, parents with grown up children or will you have small children in your party? It really does make a difference.

Any of the Whitsunday Islands are great for families but there are some GBR Islands that are more exclusive adult retreats. If you can add some more information, I'll happily pass on my thoughts. Cheers

Really need more details of what you are looking for to give you reasonable advice on this. Firstly are you wanting to just go to an island and spend your days snorkelling/diving and laying in the sun or do you want an all round holiday with shopping, cultural experiences, etc other than beach/reef related? A good guide would also be the ages of those in your group. You said a family of 5 but is this 5 adults, parents with grown up children or will you have small children in your party? It really does make a difference.

Any of the Whitsunday Islands are great for families but there are some GBR Islands that are more exclusive adult retreats. If you can add some more information, I'll happily pass on my thoughts. Cheers

Thanks everyone for the ideas thus far. Ironically enough the Hilton Cairns and Heron Island are 2 of the places that I have looked at already. Heron Island looked great, but seems sold out over the time I need, at least according to the website.

Anyway, ideally we'd like something somewhat upscale that could offer an all around experience, including beach/sand stuff. However, if you know of some phenomenal island or resort which would only offer a beach/reef experience, I'd be willing to look into that as well. As far as ages, 50 year old parents, 24 and 21 year old sons, 16 year old daughter.

Thanks again!

Thanks everyone for the ideas thus far. Ironically enough the Hilton Cairns and Heron Island are 2 of the places that I have looked at already. Heron Island looked great, but seems sold out over the time I need, at least according to the website.

Anyway, ideally we'd like something somewhat upscale that could offer an all around experience, including beach/sand stuff. However, if you know of some phenomenal island or resort which would only offer a beach/reef experience, I'd be willing to look into that as well. As far as ages, 50 year old parents, 24 and 21 year old sons, 16 year old daughter.

Thanks again!

For what it's worth, I wouldn't spend much time in Cairns. We stayed for two nights following our stay in Lizard Island, and although there's some interesting day trips, Cairns isn't particularly beachy (it feels more like a college/backpacker hangout). I defer to others on the recommendation for islands given your other criteria. Although probably not in your budget, Lizard Island was very nice. Oh, in Cairns, we stayed at the Sofitel Reef Casino. I thought it was fine, but not really worth the money (there's a kind of depressing casino in it and we killed a cockroach in our room (although I got them to knock some money off the bill as a result)). The staff was also kind of useless, e.g., we wanted to book a day-trip to Kuranda, and they said it couldn't be done; we then walked into town and easily booked the day-trip we wanted at a travel agency. But I digress.

Cairns "beaches" are mainly mud when the tide is out and water when the tide is in. If you want beaches, don't stay in Carins. Personally, I found the city particularly uninteresting.

On the mainland, I recommend somewhere in Palm Cove. It's a small town about 20 minutes north of CNS with a beautiful beach and it's close to activities such as Kuranda train, animal parks and Cairns snorkeling tours.

Port Douglas is OK, but I found it to be quite far from CNS. I think it would be better suited only for activities north of it.

Can't speak to island stays, though I would like to try one.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, they are appreciated.

Based on some of the recommendations and suggestions here, I've selected the property below as a potential place to stay. What do you think?

http://www.mirvachotels.com.au/hotel_detail.asp?hotel=20

Also, for the recommendation to stay at Port Cove, how small is it exactly? Would I need a car to get around or is more of a small resort area?

Thanks

The Sea Temple at Palm Cove is a very good choice. A beautiful hotel in a beautiful spot at Palm Cove. Lovely 2 bedroom apartments.

However if I were you I would go for the Sea Temple at Port Douglas. This resort is newer, and is almost incomparable. I would place it as one of the top 15 resorts in the world. Superb 2 bedroom apartments here too.

In relation to your second question, Palm Cove is a small northern suberb of Cairns, set down on the beach. You don't need a car to get around Palm Cove - it is very small.

You would need a car to get anywhere else though. To go out to the GBR you will need to catch a launch from Cairns (to the south) or Port Douglas (to the north).

Of course there are tourist buses. But nothing matches the convenience of having your own car.

If you are staying in the Sea Temples you will probably want to spend a few days around the resort and won't need a car for this. So you may want to get a car for some of the days you are staying there.

QF Lad.

Ideally, I'm looking for something relatively upscale, but doesn't need to be the best, maybe a limit of $500US MAX per night.

fully understand budgets as we normally adhere to one and of course this is my personal opinion but when traveling to some place that you (assuming you are an "average tourist") probably won't get to again anytime soon if ever, I'd spend more and stay on an actual island in/near the GBR, such as Lizard, Hayman, Dunk, Green, Fitzroy, Daydream, Heron, Great Keppel

The Sea Temple at Palm Cove is a very good choice. A beautiful hotel in a beautiful spot at Palm Cove. Lovely 2 bedroom apartments.

However if I were you I would go for the Sea Temple at Port Douglas. This resort is newer, and is almost incomparable. I would place it as one of the top 15 resorts in the world. Superb 2 bedroom apartments here too.

In relation to your second question, Palm Cove is a small northern suberb of Cairns, set down on the beach. You don't need a car to get around Palm Cove - it is very small.

You would need a car to get anywhere else though. To go out to the GBR you will need to catch a launch from Cairns (to the south) or Port Douglas (to the north).

Of course there are tourist buses. But nothing matches the convenience of having your own car.

If you are staying in the Sea Temples you will probably want to spend a few days around the resort and won't need a car for this. So you may want to get a car for some of the days you are staying there.

QF Lad.

Thanks for the tip, I'll take a look into the Sea Temple at Port Douglas.

Anyone else have advice about this property?

Thanks for the tip, I'll take a look into the Sea Temple at Port Douglas.

Anyone else have advice about this property?
Nope, but I trust the brand (spent a great few days at the Palm Cove resort) and would not hesitate to give the newer location a try.

I stayed at the Sheraton Mirage up in Port Douglas. I thought the hotel was just fine. Ita a average resort, nothing too special, but do offer plenty to do with the pools and excursions that you can arrange. The japaneese restaurant was very good. We only spent 1 night there.


But, I found really nice are live aboard cruise we took from Cairns. We had a nice room with twin beds and a shower, fresh towels, etc. Hot home cooked meals and a lot of scuba diving and snorkling. The day plan was:
Scuba/snorkle
breakfast (hot breakfast)
scuba/snorkle
Lunch (hot lunch)
scuba/snorkle
scuba/snorkle
dinner
scuba night dive
and dessert

We went with http://www.reeftrip.com/
Though the hot tub is a bit overrated - kinda small.
crew were very friendly and welcoming.

I stayed at the Sheraton Mirage up in Port Douglas. I thought the hotel was just fine. Ita a average resort, nothing too special, but do offer plenty to do with the pools and excursions that you can arrange. The japaneese restaurant was very good. We only spent 1 night there.


But, I found really nice are live aboard cruise we took from Cairns. We had a nice room with twin beds and a shower, fresh towels, etc. Hot home cooked meals and a lot of scuba diving and snorkling. The day plan was:
Scuba/snorkle
breakfast (hot breakfast)
scuba/snorkle
Lunch (hot lunch)
scuba/snorkle
scuba/snorkle
dinner
scuba night dive
and dessert

We went with http://www.reeftrip.com/
Though the hot tub is a bit overrated - kinda small.
crew were very friendly and welcoming.

Thanks for the tips. I actually looked closely at the Sheraton Port Douglas given my Starwood Platinum status and the fact that I was able to reserve the rooms I needed using cash and points (great deal). However, due to the really poor reviews both on Flyertalk and elsewhere, I couldn't bring myself to stay there for this sort of vacation.

I certainly plan to check out diving at least a bit, so thanks for the advice!

If you are looking to dive then I will give another vote for the Hilton in Cairns. The pier is an easy walk from the hotel, and the hotel is really quite nice.

The other posters are right though, if you are looking for a beach, Cairns is not your answer, even with the esplanade or whatever they call the man made beach.

Thanks for the tips. I actually looked closely at the Sheraton Port Douglas given my Starwood Platinum status and the fact that I was able to reserve the rooms I needed using cash and points (great deal). However, due to the really poor reviews both on Flyertalk and elsewhere, I couldn't bring myself to stay there for this sort of vacation.

I certainly plan to check out diving at least a bit, so thanks for the advice!

If your going to be up in Port Douglas, take a look.
I've stayed at many resorts, and its a good hotel. I wouldn't say great.
Room were clean and big. A bit old, but there was no real sign of age and wear/tear. Bathrooms were nice with big tub and dual sinks.

Beach was nothing special - then all the hotels have no good beach in that area. Thats where all the pools make up in.

Food was good for lunch at the pool and dinner was real good at the Japanese restaurant.

I booked it with my Amex Plat FHR which I got a room upgrade and also a 100USD food/beverage voucher and breakfast. As we were leaving at 6am and told the staff, they brought us a big breakfast box with a mixed nuts and dried fruits mix, yogurt, juice, etc to the room. With the room upgrade (I dunno if my SPG Gold helped or not) and the food voucher, it was nice.

I would really, really look into diving. It is a beautiful area, and almost every boat can offer intro dives where you go with a instructor when you don't have a certification. They are a bit expensive at 50-60USD a dive per person while if you are certified it could be around 20-30USD. But it was well worth it!

I've also stayed the Hilton Cairns recently and I liked it a lot and it had a huge pool. Short walk to the pier which offered many snorkeling trips. I also took the bus to Port Douglas and did a trip there which happened to stop and pick someone up in Palm Cove. Having travled as a family of 5 for many years I would say the Hilton rooms may be too small. Port Douglas is a very long and pretty daunting drive. Palm Cove was beautiful along the beach but a significant part was a trailer park and seemed rather limited in the food department. The place the bus stopped and picked up all the families of 5 was called The Lakes. You could easily walk to the botanical gardens from there but was a rather long walk to the pier. So as a frequent traveler with kids I'd definately stay in the Cairns area and look for something with a couple of beds/baths and TV's. There seem to be many choices.

I stayed for 3 nights at the Sheraton Port Douglas. Had a very nice room with a view of the man made lagoon (pool). It is close to the beach, but sea bathing is often discouraged due to jelly fish. (in season). It is an expensive place and it often felt lonely as few people swam in the man made lagoon (pool).

I did swim from near our room. The room itself was large with a large bathroom and all the usual hotel fittings.

I don't know why it would rack up poor reviews.