cath

Has anyone stayed here before. <BR>-Is it beachfront, is beach nice<BR>-Is there lots of activities, pools etc.<BR>-Do they have room service<BR>-Is the food nice<BR>-What are rooms like<BR>Any info no matter how big or small is appreciated.

Patti

Hi Cath<BR><BR>We stayed there and it is very nice. There is no beachfront anywhere in Palm Cove - many resorts look out on the Coral Sea but NOT beachfront. There are lots of activities and the buildings are in clusters of three (3) with a pool for each cluster.<BR>The food was excellent but we never order by room service - just had it in their restaurants. <BR>The rooms, to my knowledge, are all suites or apartments. We had a suite that included a king size bed, a sofa, chairs, tv and a small kitchenette. It was quite roomy and there was also a table and chairs out on the balcony that overlooked the golf course. Yes, I forgot to mention that there is a great golf course there. there is a website for Accor hotels (owns Novatel) and they run specials on the site. We got a really good rate through the site. Good luck

marg

We holidayed at the Novotel some years ago and can recommend it. The property is large (about 100 acres I think) with golf course, apartments and motel suites, restaurants, and ten swimming pools. You can walk through the grounds to the beach. The village is only a few minutes walk away with a small group of shops and restaurants. The beach is good and the hotel has watersports activities available on the beach. <BR>There is a public bus to Cairns and I think they also have a courtesy pick-up from Cairns airport.<BR>Hope you enjoy your holiday there as much as we did.<BR>

lcuy

Just a tiny correction- the Angsana does have beachfront in Palm Cove. most of the rest are across the street, which is not too bad as it is a tiny little street, almost just a walkway that cars can use. The Novatel is a wonderful resort, but is a bit farther away than most from the beach.

bee

Hi Cath<BR><BR>We stayed in Palm Cove in January, and I agree with the other posters about the lack of beachfront hotels - however the Sebel Reef House is just across the very quiet road from the beach and quite central - great location. We didn't stay there but ate there a couple of times as it was so good, and the staff were entertaining! I have heard it is fabaulous to stay at though.<BR><BR>We ate once at the Angsana and thought the restaurant location was better than the food, although the wine and staff were great!<BR><BR>We actually stayed between the two, at the Reef Retreat - a small self-catering property I would describe as an Aparthotel - i.e., serviced rooms but not 24 hour reception, no restaurant, etc. Friendly staff and very reasonable prices. And a small bbut lovely pool and jacuzzi. We had a spa suite with an ocean view and thought the website didn't do it justice. However we do like smaller, more personal properties so it's all a matter of taste, but personally I thought the Novotel was too far from the beach - you could be anywhere.<BR><BR>We absolutely loved the slow, quiet pace of Palm Cove, and wished we had more time to enjoy it as well as getting out and about in the rainforest, etc.<BR><BR>Just one word of warning, make sure you go there out of jellyfish season, as we couldn't go in the sea all 9 days we were up there - the stingers were getting through the nets.<BR><BR>bee<BR><BR><BR><BR>