Can anyone recommend a stretch of beach/a resort in the Port Douglas/Cairns vicinity?

16 replies

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Can anyone recommend a stretch of beach/a resort in the Port Douglas/Cairns vicinity? Key words: Quiet, romantic, beach views, reasonable/sensible quality furnishing (i.e. chain hotel standards - not apartments), no/few children. Price is no consideration.

Please don't bite my head off. I trust the discerning taste of AUSBT readers more than the hoi polloi of Tripadvisor.

SaltyJ

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Dec 2012

Total posts 157

Thala Beach Eco Resort. Awesome

drsimon50

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 Oct 2013

Total posts 81

if you are of the homosexual persuasion i would recommend turtle cover resort - private beach and adults only by default - and can be what you make of it - quiet or entertaining!

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Interesting...thank you both!

petrhsr

Member since 10 Sep 2012

Total posts 6

Not hugely exclusive, but the three-bedroom villas at the Pullman Sea Temple (Port Douglas) have an outrageous amount of space for two people, a private plunge-pool, and a very short walk through the bush to a long, gorgeous beach.

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Thank you petrhsr. We were looking at that property...is it serviced daily?

petrhsr

Member since 10 Sep 2012

Total posts 6

Yes, serviced daily - a chap even came around every morning to check/clean the BBQ.  Full resort services.

smit0847

Member since 30 Aug 2013

Total posts 149

You'd expect a 3 bedroom apartment would have a fair bit of room for a couple!

smit0847

Member since 30 Aug 2013

Total posts 149

To the OP - I've been to FNQ numerous times over the past few years. I'm not going to be a massive help because I much prefer an apartment than a chain hotel but if you are looking for quiet and romantic I'd consider staying in Palm Cove rather than Pt Douglas. Its the spa-treatment capital of Australia apparently so you get the idea of the sort of people who stay (think white-pant-wearing well-to-do couples). It quiet and peaceful. Other than Turtle Cove I doubt you'll find anywhere that has no children. Make sure you travel outside all eastern state school holidays to limit the children. I understand Turtle Cove has recently been refurbished and is now much better than it used to be. Romantic is not a word I would use to describe a resort full of single gay men.

I personally love Trinity Beach for its sleepy, laid-back country-town vibe with a beautiful beach but it may not be luxurious enough for you.

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Thank you smit0847!

Really loving all these tips!!! Awesome!!!

drsimon50

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 Oct 2013

Total posts 81

i take objection to that - turtle cove is not full of single gay men - plenty of couples go there too as do lesbians bisexuals and all members of the LGBT community - those who value privacy as well as no children - and its perfectly romantic to those of us who like a quiet walk on the private beach before or after dinner - however it doesnt suit all!

wanderlust

Virgin Australia Platinum

Member since 09 Sep 2014

Total posts 60

I agree with Simon as well!

I have booked Turtle Cove Resort countless times for my same-sex clients looking to escape somewhere with their partners for privacy and relaxation.

smit0847, You shouldnt make statements like that unless you are personally at the resort surveying who is there! Its statements like yours that can cost a company serious money and deter people from considering staying there. 

smit0847

Member since 30 Aug 2013

Total posts 149

I have read almost every review about the property that exists because I have thought long and hard about staying there but the numerous comments about it being quite 'cruisey' (especially the private, clothing optional beach) put me off.

drsimon50

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 Oct 2013

Total posts 81

its as cruisy as any gay bar is - and you make the most or as little of it as you want - i have stayed as a single person and with my husband 6times in total - and love the place - the tranquility the beach the bar/food - its lovely - i also have friends who have hated it as much as loved it - and i have a friend and his partner who stay there for the childless aspect but go to PD and other beaches throughout the day etc to explore wonderful northern QLD ie use it as a base rather than stay there all day - as i said above it doesnt suit everyone but its worth a go at least - i have also met couples there over 10yrs ago now that we still see each other and get together occasionally so it is possible to make new friends too!

wanderlust

Virgin Australia Platinum

Member since 09 Sep 2014

Total posts 60

I understand what you are saying. It can be very off putting to read comments like that. It just takes that leap of faith to see for yourself! 

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