8 Best Hotels in Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

With beautiful Four-Mile Beach just outside and shops and eateries a brisk walk away, these comfortable, expansive, fully equipped apartments are in an excellent location. The regular units are large, but the pricier "Beachfront" units, which have two-person spa tubs and are closer to the shore, are huge. One-bedroom apartments are actually two-bedroom units with one bedroom locked off (available for the same rate as a two-bedroom during high season). Every apartment has a kitchen with all appliances, including a dishwasher, stove top, full-size refrigerator, and a washer-dryer. Families can rent strollers and highchairs. There are also two on-site pools and a tennis court. Make sure you meet Milo the dog, who might join you on a beach walk or curl up on your sofa if you want some company.

Set on 145 acres with private beach access, coconut groves, and forest, this eco-certified nature lodge is about low-key luxury. Guesthouses, linked by meandering, stone-lined paths, are comfy, eco-designed refuges with polished-wood floors and forest or ocean views. Open-sided, canopy-level Osprey's Restaurant, bar, lounge, and reading room have stupendous vistas of the Coral Sea and rain-forest-clad mountains. Sunset cocktails and buffet breakfasts here are accompanied by colorful parrots in the canopy and a cacophony of birdcalls. There are two natural swimming pools (one split-level, with waterfalls and grottoes), bush-walking trails, a serene wellness center, and areas for secluded sunbathing. Eco-friendly activities include wildlife, bird-watching, coconut plantation walks, cultural performances, and turtle-spotting from sea kayaks.

Perched on the Port of Airlie Marina with enviable views of the boats bobbing in the bay, The Boathouse Apartments boasts generously sized two- and three-bedroom apartments, ideal for those looking for self-contained accommodations. It has ample amenities on-site, from a resort-style pool and Jacuzzi playground to a deck and tennis court.

At this 30-acre boutique eco-resort in the ancient Daintree rain forest, elevated boardwalks protect the fragile environs and link the day spa, heated pool, restaurant/bar, and 15 freestanding tree houses or "bayans." All are air-conditioned and equipped with ceiling fans, and king-size canopy beds. Every bayan has a balcony with mosquito screens. Julaymba Restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serves modern Australian food incorporating local seafood and fresh seasonal produce. There's an adjoining bar/lounge, a small gallery-gift shop, and a large outdoor dining deck. Activities here include yoga, guided rain-forest walks, relaxing treatments in the day spa, longer excursions with Indigenous-owned Walkabout Cultural Adventures, and Daintree River wildlife-spotting cruises. 

Spacious, self-contained, and with a relaxed island vibe, these steep-roofed, freestanding bungalows are great for families and self-sufficient travelers. Each Polynesian-style hut has a private furnished balcony with a hammock, cool tile or polished-wood floors, a basic kitchenette with cutlery and bar fridge, a king-size bed and divan, air-conditioning, and ceiling fans.

All hotel rooms here are comfortable, with private balconies, but only hotel rooms on the fifth floor and above live up to the name, with their unbroken Coral Sea vistas. Meanwhile, rooms on lower levels overlook a landscaped, tropical garden and pool. One- and two-bedroom Terrace and split-level suites on the 17th, 18th, and 19th levels in particular have fantastic ocean views. Guests get complimentary use of Hamilton's windsurfers, catamarans, paddle skis, and snorkeling gear as well as sports club facilities and return airport transfers. There's an on-site tour desk and a well-equipped business center.

Centered on a complex of interconnecting saltwater lagoon pools, the Sheraton Grand Mirage is a good choice for families. Its refurbished guest rooms and suites are light, modern, and beachy, with sleek wood furnishings and appointments, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docking stations. The landscaped grounds front a white-sand beach, and there are lots of on-site dining and drinking options. It's a big resort, with all the pluses and minuses size can offer, but thanks to the clever configuration of the pools, you can almost always find a lounge chair.

Part of the Hamilton Island resort, Hamilton Island Holiday Homes manages more than 100 self-catered one- to five-bedroom vacation properties in prime locations around the island, including studio, split-level, and two-story designs. All have air-conditioning, TVs, balconies, ocean views, and access to the resort's communal swimming pools and fitness center. Some—such as the 10 salubrious Yacht Club Villas (from A$980), with landscaped outdoor areas, private plunge pools, and concierge service—are truly luxurious. Homes sleep between one and 12 people. Each rental comes with island airport transfers and the use of a four-seater golf buggy, nonmotorized watercraft at Catseye Beach, the Hamilton Island sports complex facilities, and, in some cases, access to the Hamilton Island Yacht Club gym. Rates vary according to property, guest numbers, and season. Book well ahead to get the best properties at the best rates.