Port Douglas - Where to stay??
 

Has anyone stayed somewhere they would like to recomend? We are looking for something that includes a washer & dryer, and perhaps close to town and the beach as well. We are traveling with one child, so a place that can accomodate an extra bed would be nice!

Mandalay Shalimar Beachfront Apts. www.mandalay.com.au

They have full size washer/dryer in the unit, it is beachfront but within a 5 minute walk to center of Port Douglas for grocery shopping, restaurants, bars. They also have a pool which may be good for your child if you go during stinger season.

This sounds like what we are looking for, I will check it out. Any other ideas out there? We are going to be there the first week of July. What and when is stinger season?

We stayed at the Port Douglas Retreat for five nights in March 2008. I would highly recommend it.

http://portdouglasretreat.com.au/

The rooms have small kitchenettes and washers/dryers are available in a common area. The pool is beautiful. It was a short walk to the beach and Macrossan Street, the main commercial street. We paid about $100 AUD per night, although we were there off season. Overall Port Douglas is pretty compact and easily explored on foot.

Stinger season is from about November to May: there are dangerous box jellyfish in the ocean and you can't go in the water unless the area has a stinger net or you wear a stinger suit to protect you. This does not affect your ability to visit the Great Barrier Reef, as the stingers are not a problem that far of shore. However the tour operators still make you wear a stinger suit as a precaution.

we were very happy with the mantra aqueous next to the bakery called brumbies
so convenient- we ate delicious breads and pastries every morning
delightful apartment with pool and spa on the balcony
spacious and beautifully appointed
everything was new and sparkling- great kitchen
mind you the corridors were a bit on the white asylum theme / cruise ship but who cares
great location and away from the noise of pubs ( watch that bit can be very noisy round that end of macrossan where the village mantra and inlet mantra are- make sure the booking agent understands the impact of the late night partying noise)

oh and be warned

many places are situated way up at the entrance to port douglas

so glad we didnt stay there because thered be no way you could walk in the heat and for us relying on a shuttle bus is a pain
the mantra aqueous was right in town but in the quiet area