8 Best places to stay in Port Douglas

What a joy to find an upscale property in Queensland that does not claim to be a resort. Thala Beach Reserve is exactly what you read on the packet: an eco-retreat where wild nature outpoints luxurious bedsheets every time.

While the property’s air-conditioned bungalows, crafted in timber and stone, are perfectly acceptable, the real star here is the location – 58 hectares of lush native forest overlooking Oak Beach, north of Port Douglas.

Book a guided nature tour with one of Thala’s resident rangers, swim at a private-access beach or relax at the day spa and massage studio. For a slice of paradise between the mountains and the ocean, look no further.

Blending Balinese architecture, impeccable service and a private location, this property will win over the sternest critics.

The 30 tropical villas are simply breath-taking, with soaring ceilings, spacious patios and their own plunge pools.

The gated property also features 15 hectares of manicured gardens land lily covered lakes. Facilities include a swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis court, sauna and day spa.

The resort will appeal to both couples and families – or even a couple of families travelling together. The standard of cuisine is also very high – the Niramaya restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, has won several awards.

Located just south of the Port Douglas township, the resort is truly a self-contained oasis.

This elegant beachfront property is set in ten acres of tropical gardens at the southern end of the idyllic, pristine Four Mile Beach, 5km to the south of Port Douglas.

The 194 rooms range from studios to three-bedroom villas, and it’s a hot family ticket during holidays. Apart from its beachfront location, the property features a series of lagoon pools – meaning you can literally swim around the resort.

With its luxury spa, elegant in-house dining and recreational facilities, there’s little motivation to move except for a round of golf at the hotel’s 18-hole course nearby.

As most tours pick up from your accommodation, being outside of the main town is not an inconvenience. If you are the type of person who wants to spend your entire holiday in swimming togs, this tropical hideaway will suit you perfectly.

With its chunky exterior and spartan rooms, this beachside hotel is never going to win any design awards – but it is tremendous value for money.

The apartment-style rooms are cheerful and equipped with kitchenettes – a big selling point if you are travelling on a budget. Amenities include a small pool and guest laundry.

Despite its compact size, this property has everything you might need. It’s also brilliantly located between Four Mile Beach and Macrossan Street, the town’s restaurant and café belt.

The adults-only policy will also appeal to couples looking for extra tranquillity.

Imagine swimming in the crystal-clear waters of a billabong and gazing up at a cloudless blue sky. This is just one of the many astonishing experiences that await you at Silky Oaks.

Situated on the banks of the Mossman River just 20 minutes’ drive north of Port Douglas, and surrounded by 80 acres of rainforest and sugarcane plantations, this well-established eco-lodge is the epitome of wilderness chic.

The number of guesthouses – choose from treehouse or riverfront – has been kept low to preserve the sense of intimacy. Each lodging enjoys total seclusion and provides a high level of comfort.

The award-winning Healing Waters Spa taps into the energy of this ancient landscape, and there’s an excellent restaurant too.

It’s a stylish base from which to explore the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, and a perfect get-away-from-it-all experience.

Once known as a haunt for the rich and famous – celebrity guests have included Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger and Leonardo DiCaprio – the Mirage has been reborn as an elegant tropical hideaway.

Since joining the Sheraton group, the famous resort, which is surrounded by 147 hectares of tropical gardens and a massive lagoon pool, has been transformed. Today, the Mirage offers some of the classiest (and brightest) rooms, suites and villas in far north Queensland.

The culinary experience has also been upgraded. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining at Feast Restaurant, gourmet excellence at Harrisons by Spencer Patrick or a poolside snack at the Lagoon House.

With its lagoon pool, landscaped gardens and towering palm trees, this up-market resort just screams tropical paradise.

The 101-room property will appeal to both couples and those travelling with children. Adults will enjoy the luxury day spa, offering Aboriginal-inspired beauty treatments and massages. Meanwhile, the kids can cavort in the resort’s three swimming pools. The hotel also offers a childminding service.

Accommodation ranges from stylish suites to spacious penthouses – the lagoon rooms have swim-up pontoons.

A good all-rounder that’ll suit everyone from loved-up couples to families with kids, it’s also a convenient base for trips to the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

The standard dress code in Australia is ‘smart casual’ and this term applies perfectly to the Shantara Resort, a contemporary apartment hotel in the heart of Port Douglas.

There are no Balinese flourishes here, just workmanlike modern architecture – and a slightly austere swimming pool. Apartments are well-equipped and decorated in the Aussie beach style, in blues, fawns and taupe.

With its adults-only policy, this immaculate mid-size property will certainly appeal to couples.