After reading many responses to other peoples questions about where to stay in GBR area we "think" we have narrowed it down to Palm Cove. Looking at the Angsana, Sebel Reef, or Courtyard by Marriott. Want to see the water from our unit. Don't plan on really cooking, will spend most time taking tours (I hope the tour operators come up to PC because we won't have a car). Want a nice place because if it rains alot & we can't do a lot we can enjoy the room. Also, How far is PC from Cairns airport? Have a early flight out. Thanks

We just came from staying in Palm cove. You have picked the 3 Best places. We ate twice at the restaurant at the Angsana. It was very nice and is about 20 steps from the beach. I'm not sure, but i think you can have rooms there that face the beach, but do have the street between you and the water. all the rest of them, you do. it is n't a very busy street, mostly pedestrians, but you can't run out on the sand in your nightgown! Courtyard by Marriott is directly across the street from them, and had a very nice pool and bar. Sebel Reef is a bit further down,so closer to the swimming area of the beach. I talked to several people who all agreed they loved it. (we stayed a Villa paradiso, which was bad). Palm cove's attraction is its beach, its proximity to Cairns and tours. It is a very quiet place, and was pretty boring when rainy and windy as it was for us. It is only about 10 minutes by taxi to the Airport and I think it was AUS$30. There is a regular bus between Cairns, the skyrail, Tjapukai center, and all the beach towns,but with 4 of us, we rented a car. The driving on the left was pretty easy and the roads up there are nice. Most of the organized tours will pick you up in Palm Cove for a small fee.

oops I meant the Angsana has rooms that DO Not have the promenade in front of them!

Marcia, <BR>have just returned from that area, though did not stay in Palm Cove, only visited. Stayed in Cairns and Port Douglas. Palm Cove is very small with a few shops and restaurants but a lovely quiet, laid-back atmosphere. Some of the reef trips leave from the pier at Palm Cove and I think other tours would all pick up from there. Palm Cove is about a 30 min drive from Cairns. The beach is nice. <BR>Angsana looked lovely, it's the last place along the esplanade, and an oceanfront room would be wonderful. They probably also have garden view rooms. There is nothing between the resort and the beach but the Marriott and Sebel have a small road between them and the beach. The paved road has cars and pedestrians but is fairly quiet. I don't think the Marriott would have many ocean view rooms because it is set around the pool area, and you'd have to get a front room overlooking the sea at the Sebel. <BR>Just from looking at them from the outside, I'd go for the Angsana. <BR>Kay

Marcia, <BR>We just returned from Palm Cove, and although it is quiet, if you want to really shop, you'll have to go to Cairns or Port Douglas. There is NO public transportation to PD from Palm Cove, but you can get All In A Day to take you into Cairns (mediocre shopping). Tour operators will pick up in Palm Cove w/o any problems. Sebel Reef may be your best choice for ocean view (which will probably be obscured by palm trees though). Re: your flight, PC is about 30 minutes from airport. We had a 6:00 a.m. flight and the driver picked us up at 4:00 a.m.!

Hi, we have just come home from Palm Cove and we stayed at the marriott. We think it is great, nice rooms and good service. They have a few rooms with oceanview. They also have a great tourdesk where you can book any trip you want and they all pick up at the hotel. Hope you have a nice trip

Hi <BR> <BR>We're staying in Palm Cove in January - we chose it because it looks small and the Travel Agent we booked with (in Leeds, England!) comes from there and confirmed it would suit our requirements for a good beach and a fairly peaceful time. <BR>We're staying at the Reef Retreat <BR>(www.reefretreat.com.au) <BR>and have upgraded to an Ocean View Spa suite - it's only Aus $160 per night for 2 persons (to a Brit that's cheap). <BR> <BR>Wherever you end up, enjoy. <BR> <BR>bee <BR> <BR>

Hi Marcia,<BR>We were in Palm cove just this past March and like Bee, we stayed at the Reef Retreat. Actually we had the same room Bee is staying at and it's beautiful and cheap. The people are super nice. Highly recommended.