Port Douglas hotel question, Cairns, activities in QLD, honeymoon, blah blah blah
 

Any opinions on the Mantra Treetops in Port Douglas? Our travel agent has suggested it as a Port Douglas option that is comparable in price to what we were thinking to pay in Cairns. I understand it is not actually in Port Douglas but is a short shuttle ride away and is within walking distance of Four Mile Beach, but not on the beach.

It sounds like over 75% of the folks here would recommend a stay in Port Douglas over one in Cairns so I am inclined to follow that advice. However the hotel we are currently considering in Cairns (the Mantra Esplanade) is well, on the Esplanade and right in the middle of everything which sounds fun too.

All that said, I don't know how much time we'll actually be spending IN the room, so none of this may matter much and in that case it's all about accessibility to various activities. We would like to dive the reef, visit either the Daintree or Atherton Tablelands, and perhaps have some time to just kick it in a nice place. We'll be on our honeymoon, but fancy deluxe accomodations are not necessary. I am not traveling halfway around the world just to sit in a hotel room -- all I ask is that it is clean and comfortable to sleep in, and worth what we pay for it.

Any advice would be VERY welcome. Thanks again for previous Uluru input -- it has helped out a lot.

-- Melanie

Can I suggest Crater Lakes Retreat on the Atherton Tablelands. It will give you the options to self cater and not leave the room or to be very active. Wildlife comes to your door and they can put you in touch with tour guides and activities.

Hi Melanie (and I'm always getting called that, btw!)

Mantra's a beautiful resort and you can easily get to downtown Port Douglas (be advised that if you're planning a late night, the shuttle's stop running and you'll have to cab it back or walk).

Throw me in with the 75% recommending Port Douglas, which I prefer over Cairns. The Mantra's in a good location there too, it's just a matter of what you prefer - large tropical city or funky beach town feel.

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

Thanks Melodie. That's funny, no one seems to be able to get my name right the first time either. I'm usually Melodie, or Melissa, or even Michelle, so I answer to pretty much anything that starts with an M.

Well, we now have another itinerary option with the Villa San Michele in Port Douglas which looks like a very nice option and seems popular on TripAdvisor (I know, TA reviews must be taken with a grain of salt). The advantage is this would be right in town and very close to Four Mile Beach. I doubt we'll spend that much time in the room or lazing on the beach, but the price looks good and it sounds like it's clean and comfy.

If we choose to stay in Port Douglas, taking into account that we want to explore the area quite a bit (rainforest, reef tours/diving), will we be handicapped by staying in PD vs. Cairns?

Thanks again, Melanie

solo
in port douglas we LOVED the sheraton! direct at 4 mile beach and wonderful service!
port douglas marina was meeting point for lory birds: they arrive aroung 18.00(/18.30h in the hundreds! they alway travel in pairs! it's an amazing site!
i once got to cairns from a long-haul from europe, got my rented car and drove up to PD in order to "meet" withe the birds!

another very nice venue: silky oaks lodge in the rainforest!

cairns is a lovely city for 1 day or two and then leave.
you visit the aboriginal theatre tjapukai, get a cablecar ride up to kuranda, drive the athertons - but nothing thrilling.
do snorkel or dive!
maybe visit green island.

http://www.cairnseguide.com/attraction.php

happy planning!

Melanie,

are you serios?? I thought it was just MY name that had these difficulties! I've been called Melanie, Melonie, Malanie, etc, and like you, I just gave up and answer to anything that comes reasonably close!

Now, as to your current posting -- you've picked up on one of my very favorite properties to put my clients in - Villa San Michele. I love this property, know the manager, who takes care of my clients (including the couple who left not one, but two dirigerdoos in their room after they checked out, which she handled for me!)

As you say, and rightly so, you need to give Trip Advisor a wide berth, so to speak, but I can tell you, you won't go wrong with Villa San Michele....and you can pick up any tour you want from Port Douglas vs. Cairns, so no worries there.

Best,

from one "Mel" to another!

Melodie

The Villa San Michele looks very much like the place we stayed about across the street, so if the VSM isn't available, try Le Cher du Monde. We paid $135/night AUD in October of 2007. Port Douglas is very centrally located for the rainforest and the reef. We stayed in both Cairns and PD both times we traveled to Australia. If you are going to the rainforest, the road there is much shorter and easier to drive than from Cairns. I think that the location of the VSM is much better than on Four Mile Beach because all the restaurants are in that part of the town (although FMB isn't really that far) It is easy to walk to the Marina or to and from the restaurants and the shopping is fun, also. Have a great time!
Sally in Seattle

Hi Solo...

I had one night booked in Cairns on my way to PD and left after spending 1 hour in Cairns...if you like big, noisy crowded touristy places...then stay here. PD is simply gorgeous, a beautiful little down with an amazing beach (4 mile), great marina, places to eat and shop, etc. I stayed at the Lynchee Tree Holiday Apartments, Lee and Paul are fantastic..and there are dozens of tours and things to do from there. It is best if you have a car there to tool around if you like, but not necessary...the buses pick you up right at the hotel.