The Best Hotels to Book in Port Douglas, Australia, for Every Traveller

Relax poolside at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Relax poolside at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas | Courtesy of Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas / Expedia
Laura Hampson

Despite having the feel of a sleepy fishing village, Port Douglas is anything but. The town, sitting high in the north of Queensland, Australia, is the gateway to tourist hotspots such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Unesco-listed Daintree Rainforest. Backpackers rub shoulders here with yachty types, sipping cold Australian wine at the waterfront marina. Flanked by seemingly endless beaches, the town has perennially warm weather – be sure to pack your swimmers whatever the season. Here’s our pick of the best hotels in Port Douglas – bookable on Culture Trip.

1. Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa

Hotel

Swim-out apartments at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa, with loungers and greenery around the pool
Courtesy of Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa / Expedia

With rooms centred around the lagoon-style pool, the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa is primed for soaking up as much of the famed Queensland sunshine as possible. Rooms are a heady mix of swim-out apartments (with direct access to the aforementioned pool), spa studios with generous tubs and penthouse apartments with private rooftop terraces, complete with a jacuzzi and barbecue.

2. Mandalay Luxury Beachfront Apartments

Suite Hotel

A private outdoor dining area backed by trees leading into a contemporary bedroom at Mandalay Luxury Beachfront Apartments
Courtesy of Mandalay Luxury Beachfront Apartments / Expedia

Just steps from Four Mile Beach, the luxury apartments at this hotel in Port Douglas are perfectly placed for exploring the most beautiful spots in the area. They are expansive, but the beachfront options, flanked by native bush, come highly recommended. If you’re feeling active, there’s a tennis court to showcase your competitive streak before cooling off in one of the two outdoor pools.

3. Niramaya Villas and Spa

Spa Hotel

A luxury open-plan villa with lofty ceilings, tile floors and a private garden at Niramaya Villas and Spa
Courtesy of Niramaya Villas and Spa / Expedia

With clear Balinese influences, from the plush outdoor daybeds to the tranquil rainforest setting, a visit to Niramaya will feel as if you’re in the Indonesian hotspot itself. At this villa-only hotel in Port Douglas, the smaller ones all come with plunge pools, while the larger four- and five-bedroom villas feature 12m swimming pools. The day spa, with its nourishing treatments and option for a rainforest yoga class, is worth a visit, too.

5. Coconut Grove

Suite Hotel

A light and stylish living room at Coconut Grove, with a sofa, a chair, a table and photos of palm trees
Courtesy of Coconut Grove / Expedia

Sitting between the bars and eateries on Macrossan Street, this hotel in Port Douglas has an impressive vista that extends from the crystalline waters of Four Mile Beach (an easy 140m/459ft walk away) across to the rainforest-covered mountains. Each of the 33 three-bedroom apartments features a pale marine palette – but it’s what’s outside that counts. Opt for one of the penthouse apartments to make the most of the stunning views and to luxuriate in a private plunge pool.

6. Oaks Resort Port Douglas

Resort

An outdoor, sheltered restaurant with a large lily pond at Oaks Resort Port Douglas
Courtesy of Oaks Resort Port Douglas / Expedia

While it has a swim-up bar, there’s a lot more to Oaks Resort than cocktails in the pool. Swathed in palm trees, the one- and two-bedroom apartments are minimalist, with beds dressed in white and timber headboards. When you’re not indulging in a deep-tissue massage for two in the spa, make a booking at Oak & Vine for a pared-back Aussie dinner under the stars.

7. Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Resort

The beachside Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas with many trees, grass and a large pool area
Courtesy of Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas / Expedia

Winding up a palm-fringed driveway, the first thing you’ll notice about the peach-hued Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort is its sheer size. Sitting amid tropical gardens and just back from a white-sand beach, there are 2ha (5 acres) of saltwater lagoon pools to explore and an on-site 18-hole golf course, too. Refurbished to an excellent standard in 2016, rooms are clad in neutral tones, and its marble bathrooms boast glorious deep soaking tubs.

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