TNQ Writer
The clue is in the name when it comes to Palm Cove, the palm tree flanked, charming coastal village found 25 minutes north of Cairns’ CBD. Palm Cove delivers guests a zesty cocktail of laidback lifestyle, decadent dining and reef and rainforest, all set to the backdrop of its famous palm-fringed beach. This Palm Cove accommodation guide will help you find your home away from home.
Sitting between Cairns and Port Douglas and fronting directly onto the Coral Sea, the question isn’t whether or not you should go to Palm Cove, but rather, where should you base your stay?
As you’d expect for a beachside beauty, accommodation options in this town are as many and varied as the experiences you’ll find here, with everything from boutique hotels with tropical gardens to beachfront caravan parks.
Allow us to show you around with this Palm Cove Accommodation Guide.
Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore
If your idea of a perfect holiday conjures up visions of floating in a pool, cocktail in hand, only to be interrupted by your booking at an award-winning day spa or restaurant, there’s only one place to go – Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore.
Alamanda Palm Cove is the absolute definition of beach-front facing accommodation, so close to the Coral Sea that your balcony is practically in the sand.
This resort is all about barefoot luxury, with mere footsteps between your large apartment and the golden sands of Palm Cove Beach and its famous palm trees.
Being within footstep’s reach of award-winning amenities is a recurring theme at Alamanda, with Nu Nu Restaurant nestled to the property’s front and The Alamanda Spa by Lancemore Spa sitting right above it.
Pro Palm Cove tip: Get straight into the holiday state of mind by booking a spa and lunch package for the double decadence of a spa treatment followed by sumptuous meal.
Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa
Looking for luxury? Wheel your suitcase to the southern end of the Palm Cove Esplanade where you’ll find Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa.
This five star resort has rooms in all shapes and sizes, from studio spa rooms to apartments with their own private plunge pools – perfect for when the three onsite pools just aren’t enough privacy for you.
To turn your relaxation dial up a notch during your stay, swap a day out for a day in at the onsite award-winning Vie Day Spa, with its comprehensive menu of relaxation rituals.
Peppers Beach Club & Spa Palm Cove
Prepare to be charmed by Peppers Beach Club & Spa, which makes the most of its coastal location with plantation-inspired architecture and a menu of rooms, which range from one, two and three-bedroom resort-style rooms and penthouses.
No matter which room-style you choose, you’re likely to base your days around the large lagoon pool with sandy edge, complete with swim up ‘On the Rocks’ café and pool bar.
If breakfast is your most important meal of the day let Lime & Pepper, the onsite restaurant, take care of it with a menu that celebrates fresh, local produce and native ingredients – think maple roasted granola with fresh, tropical fruits.
The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa
The Reef House & Spa knows a thing or two about creating a relaxing environment for guests – they’ve been in the business of luxury escapes for over 47 years.
This boutique hotel and spa is popular with adults and couples, with every touch point of the resort geared towards leaving you more relaxed and rejuvenated than you arrived – from the gin-infused welcome drink you’re given on arrival to the butler cool-towel service by the pool.
The luxury history of this property sings through the service, with traditions like an honesty bar and twilight canapés all part of the overnight inclusions.
When you’re not out exploring the natural icons of the area, let the onsite activities fill your day – whether its cocktail classes, beachfront yoga or attending a skincare talk with mimosa in hand.
Melaleuca Resort
The recipe for a successful beach holiday is super simple – opt for accommodation which has just steps between your bed and the beach, so you spend more time at the beach than getting to it.
Enter Melaleuca Resort, which specialises in one bedroom garden or ocean view, fully self-contained beachfront apartments.
Designed so you can stay and play a while, all rooms come with microwave, dishwasher and laundry so you can enjoy the spoils of the region, while reaping in a few savings with homecooked meals on your large balcony.
Onsite facilities include lagoon style walk-in pool, three spas and plenty of shaded outdoor seating to drink in the views surrounded by the lush, tropical, landscaped gardens.
The Boutique Collection
The world is your accommodation oyster with The Boutique Collection who offer a range of private holiday homes in Palm Cove including rooms in Palm Cove Sea Temple, Beach Club Palm Cove, Island Views Palm Cove and Alamanda Resort to name a few resorts in their collection.
Choose between apartments and villas in Palm Cove and enjoy working directly with The Boutique Collection in making your stay memorable right from the booking process through to the memories you take away.
What’s more, with properties in the network in both Cairns and Port Douglas, The Boutique Collection allows guests to move between locations without having multiple accommodation providers.
NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park
If you’re all about waking up and falling asleep to the sound of the tide, NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park delivers with an absolute beachfront location opening onto ‘Queensland’s friendliest beach’.
With just metres between your powered or unpowered campsite and the sand, NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park is one of the last remaining beachfront holiday parks in Queensland – so you’ll want to pack the sand pegs to experience it.
Travellers who like to pack their furry best friend will be happy to know, this caravan park is also dog-friendly. Remember – the northern side of the Palm Cove jetty is allocated off-leash dog beach.
The Palms at Palm Cove
Stay amongst the palm trees and shady tropical plants checking into The Palms at Palm Cove.
Set back 300m from famous Palm Cove Esplanade, you’ll be just a short walk to the region’s award-winning beaches and dining scene.
Being just a couple of blocks back, affords this accommodation a ‘live like a local’ feeling, rather than staying in the thick of the visitor-action.
Choose between one, two and three-bedroom apartments, which are entirely self-contained, so you can really settle in and base your Tropical North Queensland adventure here.
Sanctuary Palm Cove
Sanctuary by name and nature, this idyllic accommodation in Palm Cove is all about cocooning you from stress and replacing it with serenity.
Expect private, open plan one, two and three bedroom apartments that overlook Palm Cove’s iconic melaleuca trees – the only things to tower this coastal village’s skyline.
When you’re not out and about exploring the famous reef and rainforest, closer to home the 25m pool makes the perfect backdrop for a day of lazing and grazing, while the surrounding wetlands and melaleucas are ideal for birdwatching.
Mango Lagoon Resort
Dive into the 50m Olympic size lap pool
Set on 2.5 acres of land, Mango Lagoon Resort has the advantage of space on its side to provide its guests with unrivalled seclusion and serenity.
There’s no shortage of space in its one, two-bedroom or budget-apartment options either, which have configurations to suit the size and holiday style of your travelling party.
Meandering walkways between the apartments connect the four swimming pools in the property, which includes a 50 metre Olympic size lap pool.
When you’re not exploring Mango Lagoon Resort’s facilities and onsite spa, a world of Palm Cove adventure is on your doorstep – a 15 minute walk to all the cafes, restaurants and boutiques on The Esplanade.
