Arrandale Hotel, Douglas

Advantages: Friendly staff and fantastic location close to the town centre and beach
Disadvantages: none

...We stayed at this hotel twice and can honestly say that it is without doubt one of the best hotels we have ever visited. The staff are fantastic. All tours can be booked directly by the hotel and they offer advice as to which operators to use. We booked a day out on the Reef with HABA and it was brilliant. The hotel staff even checked the weather forecasts to find the best day to go. Our nine year old daughter loved the 2 swimming pools. The hotel has a real leisurely, laid back feel to it and it never felt crowded. Breakfast is available at the poolside (try the happy eggs!) and is excellent value. The barbecue facilities are really useful for families for both lunch and dinner options although you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants in Port Douglas (our favourite is 'On the Inlet'). We will definately... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Beautiful lagoon pools, located on 4mile beach
Disadvantages: Buildings are quite old now but with that is the old fashioned 'space'!

...Quite an old resort now but still the grounds and pool cannot be beaten, the room size is very comfortable, and nicely set out. It is about 25 minutes walk from the town centre but the hotel still offers a free bus service to get to the marina and macrossan street. The walk into town is beautiful, just walk across the gardens to the beach turn left and follow it to the end, this will get you to the end of the main shopping street, the walk back was not so easy, against quite a stiff breeze, maybe the bus would have been better. The hotel still strives to offer great service, tours can be booked at the lobby, porters still carry your bags and although they no longer turn tired old tshirts into presentable clothes at the laundry there is a good launderette on site. Most of the rooms either face the golf course or the lagoon pool which... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: wildlife
Disadvantages: none

...My kids would not believe that the captain of our river trip was really called Bruce Belcher until he introduced himself to the twenty passengers on board. We had opted for this smaller outfit in the hope that we would see more wildlife than from the larger vessels and we were not disappointed. The Mangrove Jack leaves from a point on the Daintree River only 45 minutes drive from Port Douglas and a leaflet giving directions is widely available from hotels and tourist offices. We saw no fewer than seven crocodiles ranging from 80cm to 4 m in length. We also saw tree snakes, hawks, kites, egrets and a tree frog. Bruce Belcher is very knowledgeable and a very entertaining character. I would thoroughly recommend this trip.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful