Shantara Resort Port Douglas

From the street, the Shantara Resort looks like a typical Port Douglas apartment complex, with unfussy white-and-cream walls, well-tended gardens, and a couple of palm trees. But when guests step into the lobby, they will notice one big difference: The complex is exceptionally quiet. As one of the few adult-only (no children under 16 are allowed) accommodations in Port Douglas, the Shantara Resort attracts guests who are looking for tranquility – primarily honeymooners and older couples. There seems to be an unspoken rule against using cellphones on the property, and even the staff speak in hushed tones. 

The Shantara Resort might be located on Port Douglas's main thoroughfare, Davidson Street, but it's not noisy. The apartments are set back from the road, and traffic is very light in the evenings. The town's main shopping strip, Macrossan Street, is an easy five-minute walk from the complex. Four Mile Beach is close, too, but there is no road directly connecting the resort to the shore, so it takes about 10 minutes to walk there. The Cairns Airport is about an hour's drive from Port Douglas.

There are four main room types at the Shantara Resort: the Studio Room, the One-Bedroom Apartment, the Two-Bedroom Apartment, and the top-of-the-line Shantara Apartment. All have the same subtle color scheme, with cream-colored tiled floors, light-colored wooden furniture, and cream-colored walls with white accents. The rooms are comfortable, if not particularly stylish, and are well-maintained. All rooms have balconies.All rooms include microwaves and mini-fridges; the larger apartments include full-size refrigerators. DIY laundry facilities are shared with other guests. Bathrooms are generously proportioned and include tubs and basic toiletries. Rooms on the ground floor have either private decks leading directly to the main swimming pool, or direct access to a shared pool deck. The downside is that the interiors of many ground-floor rooms are visible from the pool area. Some apartments (including the Shantara Apartments) include outdoor hot tubs.Housekeeping is not included in the room rate except for stays of seven nights or longer. Daily housekeeping is available for a fee on check-in.

Like many lodgings in Port Douglas, the defining feature of the Shantara Resort is a large lagoon-style pool, around which the hotel's various buildings are clustered. The pool is heated during the winter months and well-maintained throughout the year, and the child-free atmosphere encourages guests to linger and socialize. There are some cabanas, but they fill up quickly. There is a smaller second pool, also heated in winter. There's also a covered  barbecue area.The resort's fitness center is small but well-equipped with bikes and treadmills, and some weights, all in top shape. The day spa is pricier than some others in town, but the treatments are of a high quality. Reception is not staffed 24/7, but there is a separate tour desk. Free, secure underground parking is available on-site.