bevzy

Please recommend best places to stay in Port Douglas area.My daughter and fiance are thinking maybe silky oaks lodge, or daintree eco lodge for 5 nights and visiting islands(which are best?) Any ideas much appreciated esp accommodation.

jillyf

They will be visiting in the wet season so may have lots of rain. It will be hot and humid as well.
We stayed at Peppers Bloomfield Lodge in May and there were lots of honeymooners staying. They have trips out to the reef as well as tours to Cooktown. Food is great and accommodation in lovely cabins set in gardens.
You have to fly from Cairns so get wonderful views along the coast on the 30 min flight. There is only boat access to the Lodge so fun getting there.
It may not be as much fun in torrential rain but Pat (who answers Qld questions on the board) from Cairns will be able to be of great help.

pat_woolford

Couldn't agree with Jilly more, Bloomfield Lodge is tops. It is hot and humid in January, who knows about rain, but this resort is close enough to sea for cooling breezes. Silky Oaks and Daintree Eco Lodge are somewhat inland and can be sweltering in January - another you might like to consider is Thala Resort, some 15 mins south of Port Douglas. Its elevated C

pat_woolford

enough to catch sea breezes and there's a beach below the resort.

jbmea626

i stayed at the silky oaks last september and loved it. the rooms are individual "treehouse" like rooms. the food is excellent although after being out doing lots of hiking and swiming everyday my husband and I found the dinners small and "artful" the activities are really good.
From there we went back to cairnes and flew to lizard island for 3 days. it was not enought. It is the most magical, luxurious place I have ever been too! food was great too .

Lyndie

We loved our stay at Silky Oaks. It is a fabulous, relaxing environment & a superb place for a honeymoon. The food is simply first class & a combination with Lizard Island would be a dream honeymoon. Take some fine Aussie sparkling & enjoy the peace & privacy of Silky Oaks. Good luck!

HunterGatherer

Stayed at the Daintree Eco Lodge two nights and Thala Beach Resort for six nights in mid October -05 during my honeymoon.

As it was during the dry season I can't say what it's like in January, but here are my highly subjective opinions:

The Eco Lodge is a small place with only 15 bungalows. Thala Beach is much larger, around 80 bungalows. We loved both places, but the Eco lodge was more intimate and quiet. It didn't seem to be the busiest time of the year for them, and the service was very personal and informal. Loved it. And the jacuzzi on the balcony.

At Thala the women at the reception seem to have a grin-like-a-maniac-at the-guests policy which creeped me out (I frighten easily). The service was always good and friendly though not as personal as at the Eco Lodge.

The rainforest and the beach are very different, and you should experience both. If you only have five nights then perhaps you should stay at Thala (or similar) and do a daytrip to the rainforest. If you have more time you could stay a couple of nights in the rainforest and the rest at Thala.