Whitsunday Apartments, Hamilton Island
Address: 14 Resort Drive, Hamilton Island.
Why we booked it: To be completely honest, we booked the Whitsunday Apartments first and foremost because it was the cheapest accommodation we could find. But it worked out to be so much better than we imagined.
Pros: The rooms were huge and absolutely beautiful. With long wide balconys, a big kitchen and living room area, a giant bed and big bathroom, there was way more room in our apartment than we knew what to do with. Even though the word apartment is in the hotel's name, these rooms are honestly like tiny houses that are just so beautifully decorated and look newly renovated.
Cons: There is no wifi in the apartments - you can't even pay to add it to your room. There is free wifi offered in the public spaces around the place, like in the reception area and near the pool, but you can not get a connection in your room.
Average price per night: $310AUD per night.
Read more: Top 7 Tips For Your Visit to Hamilton Island
Read more about our adventures in Hamilton Island
Address: 40 Horseshoe Bay Road, Horseshoe Bay.
Why we booked it: Quite simply, the name had the words Koala Village in the title and I am obsessed with koalas. They also had an onsite wildlife sanctuary, cute little huts that you sleep in, and was within easy walking distance of Horseshoe Bay.
Pros: The bungalows were cute on the outside and surprisingly the shower water was nice and hot.
Cons: It was a hostel. The bungalows are cute but extremely basic - do not expect any amenities or creature comforts in the rooms. I'm talking not even a bed side table or soap holder in the shower.
Average price per night: $90AUD for a private bungalow with a private bathroom.
Read more: Top 10 Things To Do On Magnetic Island
Read more about our adventures in Magnetic Island
Castaways Resort and Spa, Mission Beach
Address: 2 Pacific Parade, Mission Beach.
Why we booked it: It was the perfect place to stop on our road trip, on the way from Magnetic Island and Townsville.
Pros: Beautiful restaurant and pool that backed right onto the beach. The beach was pretty secluded, with very few people around and tall palm trees everywhere you looked. There was also a separate pool in the apartment area we were staying in, which was often very quiet and private.
Cons: The hotel was actually set across a few different sites, so depending on what room type you booked your room might have been across or down the road a little bit from the main reception and restaurant area. Not necessarily a bad thing, just something to keep in mind!
Average price per night: $90AUD per night.
Read more: Road Trip Break: Relaxing at Mission Beach
Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns
Address: Pier Point Road, Cairns City.
Why we booked it: Outstanding location - right on the Cairns Marina, next door to the Lagoon Pool and main streets.
Pros: The location was outstanding, within walking distance of shopping centres, bars and restaurants, shopping and the Cairns Lagoon Pool. There were also beautiful views over the marina and onsite parking for a small fee if you're driving yourself.
Cons: As such a large chain hotel there wasn't really anything special or unique about it. Due to the name it was probably also a little overpriced compared to other hotels in Cairns.
Average price per night: $200AUD per night.
Club Tropical Resort, Port Douglas
Address: 2 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas.
Why we booked it: We were travelling to Port Douglas for a wedding and were actually staying with five of our friends. Club Topical is in an absolutely unbeatable location - on the corner of the main street, in close walking distance to the best bars, restaurants and shops and even across the road from where the wedding ceremony was being held.
Pros: There was a great pool out the front, plenty of space in the apartment to spread out and get some space from one another when we needed it and of course the LOCATION could not be beaten!
Cons: The pool closes at night so we couldn't go for a swim when we got home each night, but that's probably pretty standard around Port Douglas!
Average price per night: $220 per night (depending on the room type and apartment size).
Read more about our adventures in Port Douglas.
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