316 Port Douglas Rd, Port Douglas, Australia | (888) 635-3814
Well-kept grounds, including ponds with live fish
An variety of clean, functional room and apartment options
Large lagoon-style swimming pool with swim-up bar
Fitness center with spa on-site
Business center and meeting rooms
Computer station in lobby
24-hour reception desk, and tour service
Restaurant open late and has room service
Local shuttle service to Port Douglas
Free parking
On-site bike rental
Located far from shopping and dining
Fee for in-room Wi-Fi
In-room decor is plain with few personal touches
Cellphone reception is patchy
Kids' play area not overly inviting
This large resort in a corner of the Melaleuca rainforest offers most of the amenities of its more upscale neighbors at a significantly lower price. The lodgings are basic but well-kept, with full-service rooms with air-conditioning as well as DIY-style apartments that include kitchens and, in some cases, laundry facilities. An array of on-site amenities -- including a large lagoon-style saltwater pool with a waterfall and swim-up bar, a fitness center, and a spa -- add value. On the downside, the hotel is located some distance from Port Douglas' main attractions, and it lacks the polish and modern touches of some of its higher-priced competitors.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Families and thrifty globetrotters flock to this classic resort complex
In many ways, the Ramada Resort Port Douglas is the quintessential far north Queensland hotel. From the palm trees at the entrance and the rainforest gardens (look out for the barramundi swimming in the lily ponds) to the bright-and-breezy lobby with its cane furniture and whirring ceiling fans, everything has an authentic tropical feel. It's not fancy, but for the families and Ramada members who visit in droves, it offers an affordable escape.
Location
On the outskirts of town but serviced by frequent shuttle buses
Like many of the accommodations in Port Douglas, the Ramada Resort is situated on Port Douglas Road, a relatively busy thoroughfare that connects the heart of the town with the Captain Cook Highway. The town's main shopping strip, Macrossan Street, is about two miles farther down the road. The most popular stretch of Four Mile Beach is about a mile away, although a quieter, less scenic strip of beach is within a five-minute walk from the hotel. The quickest way to reach the town's main sights is by car, but guests can also catch one of the regular shuttle buses (which stop at several hotels along Port Douglas Road). The Cairns airport is about an hour's drive away.
Rooms
No-frills room and apartment accommodations with serviced and unserviced options
There are four main room types: The Standard and Deluxe Rooms, which are serviced, and the Standard and Deluxe Apartments, which are not. The decor in all rooms is plain but pleasant -- think dark-gray carpet, gray couches, and light-wood furniture -- and the interiors are in good shape. All rooms and apartments include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and mini-fridges. The apartments include full kitchens (Deluxe Apartment kitchens feature stainless-steel appliances), and some apartments also have laundry facilities. Bathrooms are small, with just showers in the Standard Rooms and shower/tub combinations in the others. Toiletries are the hotel's own brand. There is in-room Wi-Fi, but it comes with a fairly hefty fee.
Features
Plentiful amenities but some could use an upgrade
Active types will appreciate the Ramada's on-site fitness facility: The machines aren't exactly state-of-the-art, but everything works and there are plenty of fresh towels. For those wishing to explore the surrounding area, bicycles can be rented from the front desk. The saltwater swimming pool is large and well-maintained, with a waterfall and swim-up bar. Less impressive are the indoor kids' play area, which is small and bare, and the communal computers, which could use an upgrade. The hotel's restaurant, Tree Bar and Grill, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also provides room service. The on-site day spa is moderately priced and offers a wide range of massages, facials, and other beauty treatments. Reception is staffed 24/7, and a tour desk operates during business hours.
