9 - 13 Esplanade, Port Douglas, Australia | (618) 248-8274
Remarkable location adjacent to Four Mile Beach
Well-maintained common areas, including tropical gardens and a large pool
Spacious apartment-style rooms with balconies and generous bathrooms
All rooms have kitchenettes
Free Wi-Fi
Minibars and espresso machines in all rooms
Restaurant serves high-quality meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner
No young children allowed (a con for some)
Reception not staffed 24/7
No concierge, room service, or turndown service
No fitness center or spa
Although the beachside location is the biggest selling point of this compact, upscale hotel, there are plenty of other noteworthy features. The airy, cheerful rooms are all suites with kitchenettes, balconies, living rooms, and two-person tubs in the generous bathrooms; the restaurant serves excellent food at reasonable prices; and the swimming pool is a joy to explore. While those looking for amenities such as room service, a concierge, a fitness center, or spa may be underwhelmed, others will likely appreciate the Peninsula's DIY ethos. Note that the Peninsula Boutique Hotel is for adults only -- it does not allow children.
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Scene
The secret's out about this upscale adult-only retreat.
The Peninsula Boutique Hotel may be an intimate property (just 34 rooms), but there's a bustling vibe in the communal areas at all hours of the day. It's the only hotel in Port Douglas with absolute beach frontage, so occupancy rates are always high, and the on-site restaurant is open to visitors, who arrive in droves to sample the menu and the one-of-a-kind views. Despite the crowds, there's an air of sophistication, due in part to the hotel's strict no-children policy.
Location
The unbeatable beachside position and proximity to shopping are major draws
The hotel is located on the Esplanade, a small, quiet road that runs parallel to Four Mile Beach at its northern end. The beach is about 150 feet from the lobby, and the water views from various parts of the hotel (including many of the guest rooms) are striking. Macrossan Street, the main shopping strip in Port Douglas, is just around the corner, providing easy access to dining and banking amenities, as well as the offices of some of the area's tour operators. The main supermarket is about a 10-minute walk along Macrossan Street. Guests may need cars if they wish to dine at one of the larger resorts at the southern end of town (they're about a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute drive away). Cairns International Airport is about an hour's drive away.
Rooms
An interesting mix of self-catering facilities and upscale amenities
The rooms at the Peninsula have cheerful, simple style. There are four rooms classes, with more expensive rooms offering additional space and views of the ocean. All rooms include living rooms, kitchenettes (with refrigerators and microwaves), minibars, espresso machines, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. Bathrooms are impressive: They include two-person spa baths and separate showers, as well as generously sized Apelles toiletries. All rooms have balconies.Small touches such as fresh flowers (and fruit bowls in the more expensive rooms) give the lodgings a homey feel. Daily housekeeping is provided. There is free Wi-Fi but the connection is shaky.
Features
Quality on-site dining and a quirky pool are the stand-out features.
The Peninsula's swimming pool is actually a series of small, interconnected tiered pools set amid lush gardens, giving the feel of a rain forest hideaway. The waterfall and hot tub areas are nice additions.All room rates include free continental breakfast, which is served poolside. The hotel's on-site restaurant, Hi Tide, is also open for breakfast, offering a more substantial menu with hot options. Hi Tide gets busy at lunch and dinner, when non-hotel guests arrive. The restaurant serves a wide range of seafood dishes with Asian influences, but there is no room service.There are do-it-yourself laundry facilities on each level of the hotel, which are free to use. The more expensive rooms include free laundry service.
