Corner Garrick & Beryl Streets, Port Douglas, Australia | (888) 635-3814
Quiet but central location with access to both beach and downtown shopping
Beautiful gardens and peaceful surrounds
Large apartments that sleep up to six guests
High-quality furnishings and appliances, especially in the kitchens
Efficient laundry facilities in all apartments
Spa baths in Beachfront Apartments
Two well-maintained swimming pools, plus a tennis court
Fee for Wi-Fi
Room interiors are plain
No business center or fax facilities
Breakfast not offered
In a tucked-away spot with direct access to the beach, Mandalay Apartments is a low-key (but upmarket) self-catering option. The quiet, spacious apartments may not be the most fashionable in town, but they're comfortable and come with well-equipped kitchens. There's plenty within walking distance and more active types will enjoy the two swimming pools, the tennis court, and bike rentals. Although the property attracts both vacationers and corporate guests, business travelers may not appreciate the fee for Wi-Fi and the lack of other work facilities.
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Scene
Grown-up retreat with soothing, verdant gardens
Guests enter this upscale apartment complex through wrought-iron front gates surrounded by giant ferns and palm trees. The lush, manicured front gardens are enticing, and offer an good taste of what awaits inside: a collection of impeccably maintained, quietly luxurious apartments that blend seamlessly with their tropical surroundings. Mandalay Apartments is at the higher end of the Port Douglas price scale, so it's mainly older couples without children who stay here. Traveling groups with generous budgets – particularly retirees – also find the spacious accommodations appealing. The nearby (and sometimes slightly pricier) Coconut Grove Apartments is also worth considering; it lacks Mandalay's direct beach access, but most of its units have private pools.
Location
Secluded but central, a short walk from the beach and the main shopping strip
Although it's less than a 10-minute walk from bustling Macrossan Street, Mandalay Apartments feels far removed from the Port Douglas buzz. It's situated on a quiet tree-lined street, sandwiched between a charming park and a nature reserve that abuts the famous Four Mile Beach, accessible via a two-minute walk down a private pathway through the reserve. The nearest supermarket is about a 20-minute walk away, so those planning to self-cater may want to rent a car. The Cairns Airport is about an hour's drive away.
Rooms
Large, comfortable, well-equipped apartments that don't look flashy
Although the decor in the apartments is a bit plain – thinks greys and creams, with light wood accents – the quality of the furnishings is top notch. Comfortable sofas, pine-wood tables, and good-quality mattresses are the stand-out features, while potted plants add a tropical touch. The kitchens have black granite bench tops and stainless steel appliances (including ovens and microwaves). The bathrooms are spacious with separate spa baths and walk-in showers. All apartments feature air-conditioning and ceiling fans, furnished balconies, laundry facilities with separate washers and dryers, flat-screen TVs with cable, and DVD players, as well as Wi-Fi (for a fee).In addition to The Mandalay's standard One-, Two-, and Three-bedroom Apartments, there are slightly more upscale Beachfront Apartments available in two- or three-bedroom configurations. It should be noted that these apartments aren't actually right on the beach; they're simply on the beach side of the complex. In addition, there is a three-bedroom Executive Apartment with timber floors and a large free-standing tub, and a three-bedroom Penthouse with leather and dark-wood furnishings and Chinese decoration.
Features
The beach is the star attraction, but the pools, tennis court, and bike hire also impress
Beach fans will feel right at home at the Mandalay Apartments. The private pathway that leads from the property to the beach is enchanting, and it passes through a nature reserve before landing up at one of Four Mile Beach's less-trafficked stretches. There's even a netted swimming area for protection during jellyfish season.Back at the apartments, there are two generously sized swimming pools, both with spa pools and one with a lap lane. Guests have access to a private tennis court with equipment for rent, and bikes can also be rented from reception. Secured parking and fencing around the property's perimeter are reassuring touches. Unlike many self-catering apartment complexes in the Port Douglas area, there is no breakfast service or business center at The Mandalay Apartments.
