25 Oceanview Ave, Airlie Beach, Australia | (888) 635-3814
Great seaside location, a four-minute walk from Airlie Beach
Well-outfitted rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and AC
Upgrades include ocean-view balconies with hammocks and hot tubs
Apartments come with full kitchens and laundry facilities
Fine-dining eatery with al fresco seating
Ocean-view outdoor pool, private jetty, and water sports
Guests talk highly about the free buffet breakfast
Decently equipped gym
Hotel has secure, shaded parking
Guests rooms showing some wear and age
Not all rooms have balconies
Reports of spotty Wi-Fi coverage
Set on the oceanfront, just a four-minute walk from the golden sands of Airlie Beach, the three-and-a-half-pearl Coral Sea Resort is a bright and breezy seaside hotel with verdant green gardens and a jetty that thrusts out into Pioneer Bay, allowing guests to lounge surrounded by aquamarine ocean. The 77 rooms are well-sized and contemporary, outfitted with all the necessities and then some, though they're showing a bit of wear. Guests talk highly of the hotel’s free buffet breakfast, and restaurants include on one of the jetty and a fine-dining affair. Other features include an outdoor pool and a gym. Travelers wanting a comparable hotel with a full spa might want to try the nearby Pinnacles Resort.
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Scene
Breezy hotel with jetty that juts out into the ocean; popular with wedding groups
The Coral Sea Resort is a bright and breezy hotel that makes the most of its seafront location. The hotel has rambling gardens that overlook the sea, with palm trees and plenty of places to sit and lounge, including a jetty that juts out over the ocean. Inside, the decor is contemporary, if a bit generic, though nautical-themed furnishings like striped seating, sea-themed artwork, and wicker furniture are attractive. Though sports facilities and a big pool appeal to families, most guests are couples, plus many wedding parties. Aside from when party groups are on-site, the resort is a good pick for a tranquil beach vacation.
Location
Four minutes’ walk to Airlie Beach, and five minutes to the town’s main street
The Coral Sea Resort arguably has the most enviable position in Airlie Bay: right by the ocean, and a four-minute walk at most to the beach. The shops, bars, and restaurants along the diminutive town’s main drag are only a five-minute stroll away, along the oceanfront boardwalk. The Port of Airlie, where boats depart for tours of the Great Barrier Reef, is a five-minute drive away. The town of Airlie Bay is rather isolated, however, and it’s an hour’s flight to Cairns or a 105-minute flight to Brisbane. Expect transfers to Prosperpine Airport to take roughly 30 minutes.
Rooms
Large and airy rooms with some wear
The 70 rooms at the Coral Sea Resort are contemporary and well-appointed, but some furnishings and amenities -- like hairdryers -- are showing their age and in need of a refresh. That said, they are all spacious, airy, designed with nautical themes -- some adding chairs with motifs of Australia's flag -- and complete with all the basics and more. Lower-category rooms either overlook the garden or ocean, and unfortunately, the former units lacking balconies. It's worth upgrading to a room with an ocean view. Bland bathrooms have shower/tub combos, old hairdryers, and toiletries. All rooms include desks, dressers, seating areas, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, AC, flat-screen TVs, and irons/ironing boards.Suites add perks like larger living areas with sofas, kitchenettes with microwaves, iPod docking stations, and jetted tubs -- some of which are on the balconies alongside hammocks. Apartments add full kitchens and laundry machines.
Features
Ocean-view outdoor pool, free buffet breakfast, fine-dining restaurant, and sports facilities
The Coral Sea Resort has a wide range of amenities to keep its guests satisfied, both indoors and outdoors. Guests speak very highly of the free buffet breakfast, and the fine-dining Clipper Restaurant offers a la carte fare for lunch and dinner, including kids' and five-course menus. Indoor and al fresco seating overlooking the ocean are available. Also overlooking the water is the 25-meter (82-foot) pool that's partially shaded and surrounded by loungers. A smaller, shallow pool for kids is nearby and covered by a veranda. The jetty that is set over the ocean has lounge seating and can be booked for private events. Weddings are also popular at the garden's gazebo.The hotel has a gym with cross-trainers, treadmills, cycles, weight-training machines, and free weights. The hotel has a conference center that can accommodate 250 people. Wi-Fi is free Wi-Fi throughout, but it can be spotty.
