I'd appreciate any insights into the Sea Temple Port Douglas and/or Palm Cove and the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas. We're looking for a luxury resort, but many of the more upscale island properties don't take children (ours are 12 and 15). Thanks!

I'll be staying at the Sheraton Mirage soon. I've heard great things about it.

My recollection from last year is that Sea Temple Port Douglas is not on the beach and in fact is across the highway . Sea Temple Palm Cove is very nice and on the beach . PC is much more a resort area without all the infrastructure of Port D.and as you may know it is about a 40 minute drive bewteen the two places - and a lovely scenic drive . The Mirage was the last word when it was built in the '80's,is big , is on the beach , has lovely gardens but was looking a bit dated and tired in the public areas and restaurants last year .

Sea Temple at Port Douglas is the newest, but its a long way from PD village, way down the other end of Four Mile Beach. Whilst not exactly beachfront its just a short walk through some bushland to beach.

Sheraton Mirage also a fair distance from PD village; like JohnFitz, last time I saw inside it was pretty dated, may have been re-furbished by now. Both resorts do have shuttles into PD, and both have seemingly acres of pools.

Sea Temple at Palm Cove is absolute beachfront (or at least some rooms are) are and a 5-10minute easy walk to restaurants along Palm Cove esplanade. Nearby Angsana is also true beachfront.

Sorry to jump on someone elses thread but can any one give me there opinion of Thala beach lodge in PD?

Smeagol

Smeagol, Thala is south of Port Douglas, about a 15 minute drive to Port. But just lovely, it has more elevation than the other resorts mentioned above with gorgeous Coral Sea views. Once again, a shuttle into Port Douglas, but how often I don't know, you'd have to check with Thala.

Hi Mandelieu,

Just back from doing site inspections on these properties in December...

I stayed at the Sea Temple Port Douglas, and the pool is probably the biggest WOW factor (other than once you get to your room and half of it is the spa bath).

And you have John Fitz and Pat's remarks as well..

Smeagol - Thala = heaven.

Pat...I won't swear to it but I don't think children under 16 are welcome at Angsana.

(hell, I didn't feel welcome for that matter - I thought the bovine at the desk was going to make me fill out some sort of form, preferably written in my own blood because she saw my video camera)! And then in almos the same breath, she's asking me if I want promotional material, DVD, CD, etc? Weird.

Hope this is helpful!

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

I'm a little confused about the Sea Temple Port Douglas. Does it feel like a beach resort or is the beach too removed from the hotel to feel that way? Thanks.

mandelieu, others may disagree, but to me it doesn't feel like a beach resort. It doesn't overlook the beach, at least not from ground floor which has swim-out rooms/apartments to the enormous pools. There's a substantial band of trees and native vegetation between resort and beach and imagine its retention was an environmental requirement. Which is a good thing. To me the whole thing looks a bit stark, but it is very new and am sure will improve when gardens are more established.

Thanks for the insight. It's always helpful to have information from people who have actually visited these places.

Mandelieu,

Agree with Pat (again)

Sea Temple in Port Douglas is not a beach feeling type resort. It is, a lush, sort of 5-star feeling resort, from the moment you enter the impressive lobby (open air) and gaze out into the giant pool.

Regards,

Melodie