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Paradise Beach Eco Escape Review
Read our Great Barrier Reef hotel reviews. Or post your own.
Paradise Beach Eco Escape
- Mailing: Box 842, Airlie Beach, QLD, Australia, 4802 | Map It
- www.southlongisland.com
- Price range: $$$$
- Location: Long Island
Fodor's Review:
Talk about secluded—this intimate, eco-conscious lodge on the isolated southern tip of Long Island is accessible only by helicopter. Each of the private bungalows fronting Paradise Bay beach has both a king-size and a single bed, and a super-private veranda with a double hammock—perfect for watching sunsets. They're crafted from solid Australian hardwood, with cathedral ceilings, polished wood floors, walls adorned with photos from around the island, and picture windows with 180-degree water views. Unlike some other exclusive resorts, this one welcomes solo travelers, imposing no surcharge for sole occupancy. There's a 10-percent discount for online bookings. With a maximum of 12 guests at a time, and a five-night minimum stay, it's easy to get the perfect balance of solitude and sociability—and as fellow guests are a worldly bunch, conversation is generally rewarding. The lodge owns and operates its own 34-foot sailing catamaran; daily excursions with a local skipper visit nearby islands, beaches, and coral gardens every day except Sunday. The tariff includes your room, excellent chef-prepared meals, helicopter transfers from Hamilton Island, free use of snorkeling gear and beach towels, sailing excursions, and sea kayaking. In addition to its complimentary activities, the Lodge offers half-day helicopter tours to the outer Great Barrier Reef for A$600 per person (minimum two). The tour includes a 40-minute scenic flight each way, snorkeling at Fantasea Reefworld pontoon—before the crowds arrive—and, for an extra A$80, one optional dive including gear and divemaster guide. Bring essential supplies and medicines, but leave power-guzzling appliances behind: the resort runs on limited solar-generated electricity.
- Hotel Details: 10 cabins
- In-room: no a/c, no phone, refrigerator, no TV.
- In-hotel: restaurant, bar, beachfront, water sports, no kids under 12.
- Rate includes: All-inclusive
- Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
Member Reviews & Ratings:
Wish I'd seen this review before I went
Posted by eur0traveller from Beckenham, Kent on 3/3/09
All the reviews elsewhere on the web are universally breathless in praise of this resort. I cannot understand it as my experience accords with the other reviewer on here - rooms not very clean, no choice in respect of food (although it is of a high quality), mediocre wines on offer. Still had a jolly time in some ways as met some nice people but it was more a case of having a nice time despite the surroundings rather than becuase of them! Beautiful surroundings but very little to do and even the communal areas could do with a good scrub. Hosts were friendly but this resort needs more staff to bring it up to the standard you would expect from the prices you pay.
Overpriced and disappointing
Posted by Msafiri1 from Switzerland on 8/10/07
We stayed in this lodge in May 2007, when unfortunately the owner was away. The concept (an eco-lodge in its own bay on an island in the Whitsundays) is great but we found the implementation poor. The rooms were not that clean, food was distinctly variable and the catering staff seemed more interested in enjoying themselves than in providing a decent service. No doubt if the owner had been there, things might have been different. But for A$5,300 for 5 nights, we felt that we were entitled to much, much better. The owner's response to our complaints has been a real eye-opener. According to him, we wasted our money visiting the lodge, our complaints were about insignificant things and judging by our attitude, we will have many more unhappy holiday experiences in the future! Australia's answer to Basil Fawlty?
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