14 Best Hotels in Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

This beachfront property just south of Palm Cove has its priorities right: Kewarra's sensitively designed bungalows and restored pioneer's cottage overlook rain forests teeming with wildlife, free-form pools, or a private white-sand beach. The eco-friendly lodgings bring comfort with their silky wood floors, custom furnishings, high-tech appointments, and simply furnished balconies or terraces. There's a glorious restaurant, bar, and airy lobby; a beach shack; and a lovely day spa, and there are various on-site activities such as guided morning nature walks, sunrise yoga, and tai chi sessions. Browse the boutiques, book a spa treatment, take a dip, go sea kayaking, or do some serious lounging. If you must venture off-site, the helpful concierge and Adventure Desk can arrange customized excursions and transfers via car or helicopter to Cairns, Palm Cove, and the airport. The resort also offers good-value multiday packages, some including dinners with wine, spa treatments, and reef, rain-forest, and tablelands tours.

Part of a lively entertainment complex in the heart of Cairns, this high-end hotel has spacious rooms and suites, as well as several restaurants and bars, a theater, a casino, and an outdoor swimming pool. All accommodations have ceiling fans, plantation shutters, floor-to-ceiling windows, spa baths, and balconies. Soy Kitchen Street Food serves quality Asian dishes; the acclaimed Tamarind does contemporary cuisine with a twist; Bar36 serves up tapas and cocktails with live music acts often performing, and Flinders Bar & Grill is an inexpensive, tasty option inside the casino.

A handful of simple but comfortable, solar-powered cabins sit among rambutan, mangosteen, and breadfruit trees on this 40-hectare exotic fruit farm. Each air-conditioned self-contained cabin has a kitchen with a full-size fridge, an en suite bathroom, insect screens, and a veranda with rain forest and mountain views. In the central farmhouse are a guest lounge, kitchen, and laundry. There is also a communal kitchen with a wood-fired pizza oven for guests' use and a shed full of free coconuts (if you can crack them). Commune with fellow guests around the nightly campfire, and wake to a chorus of birdsong.

The elegant solar-powered tree houses at this impeccably run boutique retreat invite relaxation and romance. All come with king-size, Balinese-style beds swathed in white mosquito-netting, under-floor lighting, fridges, and sea-breezy balconies overlooking the rain forest and out to the Coral Sea. There are no TVs or karaoke nights here; just a cacophony of birdcalls and several quiet walking trails, rain-forest waterholes, and unspoiled beaches to explore. Mingle with fellow guests around the infinity-edge pool and at low-key evenings around the Lodge's Python Bar, crafted from rosewood mahogany. Continental breakfasts include tropical fruit salad, cereals, organic yogurt, and warm croissants with homemade jams, and there are several restaurants and cafés in the vicinity (bringing a vehicle, or at least provisions, is a must). Your host can arrange tours, reef trips, jungle surfing, horse-riding, rain-forest walks, and restaurant bookings.  For best results, book your stay directly through the property's website.

The Flynn is one of three five-star Cairns properties owned by the Crystalbrook group, and it's the "fun and energetic" brand. The rooms and suites are all light and bright and thoughtfully designed, and the on-site drinking and dining options—bustling, casual Boardwalk Social; upmarket Whiskey and Wine; and classy Flynn's Italian—appeal to a sophisticated, younger crowd. Of particular note here is the glass-sided swimming pool set on a mezzanine level, providing those having a drink and snack at Boardwalk Social with a rather interesting view.

This modern, contemporary property on Cairns Esplanade is in the heart of the city, and rooms come with a view of the city, the pool, or the sea. The hotel's rooms and suites have chic finishes, a designer feel, and a plethora of amenities, from free Wi-Fi to complimentary movies to an Nespresso machine. Relax in the large resort-style pool, which has a sandy entrance ideal for kids and a view of the Esplanade, or settle in at the city's highest bar and restaurant, Rocco, or kick back on a day bed at the beach club-style rum bar Calypso Club downstairs.  For an amazing view from your bed or balcony, splurge on one of the suites or sea-view rooms and wake up to the Coral Sea greeting you each morning.

The well-appointed studio rooms and apartments at Pullman’s gorgeous Palm Cove property have private balcony or terrace areas, high-definition flat-screen TVs, and comfortable beds with memory-foam pillows. Those who have business to do will appreciate the in-room work desk, ergonomic rolling chair, and free Wi-Fi access. The resort has a state-of-the-art business lounge, a well-equipped gym, and day spa, and there's a golf course and the beach nearby. You can rent bicycles from reception for A$20 for two hours. 

This beachfront property houses travelers at alluringly reasonable rates. Relax in simple but stylishly furnished bures (tropical-style bungalows), A-frame bungalows, villas, and suites, all with balconies and hammocks or daybeds, strung along a palm-fringed, white-sand shore and scattered around the tropical grounds. While there, you'll have free rein of the resort, including its dining room, lounge, media room, day spa, tennis courts, saltwater pool, and kayaks. Wallabies, goannas, brush turkeys, and big-eyed curlews wander freely about the grounds, and kookaburras cackle from the trees. If you're keen to explore neighboring islands, beaches, and the reef, scenic flights, day cruises, and diving can be arranged through the resort.

The expansive one- to three-bedroom apartments at this high-end hillside resort are tailored for comfort, with spa baths the size of small cars, designer decor and appliances, high-end entertainment systems, free Wi-Fi, and big, furnished balconies with great views of the bay and yacht club. The resort is a steep trek (or about a A$12 taxi ride) from Airlie's main strip (or before 11 pm take the resort shuttle, but it only runs every two hours). In-house dining at Tides restaurant is sophisticated, if pricey, offering breakfast, pool-side lunch, and Modern Australian dinners. On-site facilities include a licensed bar, a wet-edge pool, a well-equipped gym, and an endota spa that offers detox, destress, and anti-aging treatments using organic Australian ingredients. Reef trips and water sports are at your doorstep, but there's plenty of incentive to stay put.

Its beachfront location, excellent on-site dining, and tropical suites make this laid-back resort popular with city dwellers seeking upscale relaxation. With three magnificent lagoon pools and a day spa, it's not hard to find a spot to relax. The open-air lobby opens onto compact but well-landscaped grounds and the largest of the Club's three pools, with a soothing waterfall nearby. All rooms and suites have contemporary furnishings, flat-screen TVs, ceiling fans, minibars and/or fridges, and large balconies or courtyards; spa rooms have balcony two-person spa baths, and deluxe rooms have rooftop Jacuzzis. You can rent a quad bike, chill out with a cocktail at the swim-up bar, or receive a treatment at the Day Spa, which does everything from detoxifying body treatments to Vichy showers and massage.

Located a stone's throw from the ferry terminal at Nelly Bay, this hotel has stylishly designed studio rooms, apartments, and penthouse suites, with high-end entertainment systems, luxe amenities, and balconies overlooking the port, the large pool, or the island's private marina. Apartments and penthouses also have full kitchen and laundry facilities. There are two lagoon pools, a restaurant serving Mod Oz fare, and a full-service day spa. Nearby are shops, eateries, water-sports outlets, a marina-front boardwalk, and a supermarket. It's a 20-minute walk (or bus ride) to Alma Beach.

Occupying prime position at the top of a hill overlooking the bay and the Whitsunday Islands, Pinnacles is a stylish retreat with plenty to offer those looking for self-contained accommodation. Spacious one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartments have a tropical, laid-back feel. There's an infinity pool with stunning views, a gym, tour desk, and free undercover parking.

This practicality-meets-luxury hotel near Cairns's waterfront has an impressive three-story lobby, an elegant day spa, and rooms and suites with furnished balconies. The hotel underwent a major rejuvenation in 2021, with much-needed upgrades to public spaces and rooms. All corporate facilities have also been upgraded, and the Vie Spa is also looking sparkling and new. The on-site Coco's Kitchen + Bar, which serves a buffet breakfast, plus lunches and dinners.

With chic modern decor and buzzing on-site bars and eateries, this marina-side resort is among the city's best. Outdoor areas are suitably sleek, with extensive wooden decking, a palm-shaded swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, and a poolside cocktail bar. Spacious rooms and suites have muted decor, balconies, and flow-through views of the pool area and gardens, or the mountains, bay, or marina. Paying extra for a Horizon Club room or suite buys you extra amenities and services, including free Horizon Club breakfasts, and sunset drinks and canapés. There is a well-equipped business center, valet parking, and a helpful tour desk that can arrange off-site activities. The Backyard restaurant, featuring fine fresh regional produce, makes it worth dining in-house.