i am booked for three nights at sea temple resort in late april. i have recently read some bad reviews on tripadvisor about this property. has anyone stayed there recently? should i consider switching to another hotel such as angsana resort viila paridiso or some other property there? also possible that those reviewers are just very picky and i should stay where i am. please advise. thank you for your help.

I have posted in the past about Villa Paradisio..
We were very unhappy here..room was marginally clean, many of the shutters and fixtures were damaged, the owner was out at dawn with his leaf blower, and the pool was dirty & dark.

In addition, we found the owners unhelpful and not at all friendly. Granted, its been a couple years now, but unless there are new people running the place, I would not chance it.

We loved the Angsana's grounds and their restaurant. Staff were very friendly. It has the added benefit of actually being on the beach.

Can't help you on Sea Temple, sorry.

We stayed at the Palm Cove Novatel Resort and loved it. Casual and close to many activities (tennis,golf,diving etc.) We had a little kitchenite -- saves on eating out all the time -- although there are several good restaurants about. They have a free airport shuttle service and we did ask for and received early checkin. Trip was in July 2003.

Sea Temple is very new, huge, ultra-chic, swimming pools and spas galore and it is beachfront, on southern end of Palm Cove. It's barely visible from highly attractive Palm Cove esplanade area. To me it doesn't look particularly "tropical", whereas Angsana's resort does reflect its tropical setting. AAA Tourism has just created a new national rating system specifically for resorts and its first 5 star award for this category went to Outrigger Beach Club and Spa - whilst not on Palm Cove beachfront is just across narrow pedestrian-friendly Esplanade.

Sorry, just to clarify, by "beachfront" I meant actually on beach, ie, stepping from resort grounds onto sand.

We have also stayed at the Palm Cove Novotel. It was terrific, especially for us as a family. There were also plenty of people there without kids. Close to the beach but the pool was good in any case

We stayed at the Outrigger Beach Club in Palm Cove last August and we were VERY happy with the rooms,pool,location.The Sea Temple Resort opened whilst we were there and we went for a walk to check it out.It looked magnificent.Very ultra modern and right on the beach.Only drawback that we could see was a slightly longer walk(5 mins)to the restaurants and shops than the Outrigger which has a more central position.I would stay with your booking or look at the Outrigger.

We have not recently stayed at the Sea Temple, but will be staying there for 2 weeks in May. We stayed there last year as well and loved it. Especially as it is right on the beach and it is great to go for an early morning stroll on the beach and walk towards Clifton to the right and the town of Palm Cove to the left. I would stay with the Sea Temple if I was you. The appartments are beautifully outfitted, there are 3 magnificent pools, the main lagoon pool, a lap pool and a childrens pool. The food in the restaurant is very good. My wife and I cannot wait to be back there in May.
Enjoy the Sea Temple and I am sure you'll be back there again, just like us

We stayed a few years back at the Novotel and it was excellent.

Thanks for everyone's help!! I really appreciate it. We have decided to stay in Palm Cove in a small lodging. We will take a transfer to the marina in Port Douglas for snorkeling with Wavelength. Will let you know how it works out when we get back. Thanks again!!!