Mandalay & Shalimar Luxury Beachfront Apartments

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.

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.

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.

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.