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If Port Douglas is the resort capital of Australia, Palm Cove is its little sister with the added benefit of everything within walking distance, and it’s closer to the airport for a quick weekend away.
There are plenty of luxury resorts in Palm Cove to choose from as well as many restaurants to enjoy the views at the end of a long day of exploring or relaxing.
The Reef House Boutique Hotel & Spa
The Reef House is a boutique adults-only accommodation located in Palm Cove. It has won plenty of awards and has lots of positive reviews across different websites. Perfect for those who love a smaller more intimate style resort.
I stayed here in 2025 and if budget permits one day I will be back. My sister who I visited with went back again 6 months later she loved it so much.
It may not be ‘cheap’ but its good value for money with personalised service, no crowding of shared spaces like pools and so many amazing free inclusions like daily punch, canapés, sorbet and free bike hire and yoga (27 free inclusions in fact). Look out for low season (November-april approximately) deals where you get the same inclusions for less and sometimes it is on luxury escapes.
The heated mineral pool was a huge plus for me, allowing us to swim into the evenings as the sunset!
- Adults-only resort (16+)
- Winner of 2022 QLD Tourism Award & Trip Advisor award.
- Room options with spas, balconies & ocean views or book the Brigadier King Spa Room on Expedia to have all three!
- ia
Peppers Beach Club
Booking.com
Peppers Palm Cove is a bright and tropical luxury resort on the main street in town. With its swim up bar it’s a great destination for solo travellers (I met heaps of interesting people at the pool bar when I stayed there), couples and friends groups. On the otherside of the pool, families with children will love the sandy beach.
Note this hotel is popular with families, if you would prefer an adults-only option consider the adults only Reef House or the all-ages Alamanda which has an adults-only pool. Peppers does also have a serenity pool but when I visited it was a bit cold as its all in the shade.
Alamanda Palm Cove Resort by Lancemore
Booking.comImages open in Agoda
Arguably in the best location in town (absolute beachfront and close to all the Esplanade restaurants, cafes and bars), Alamanda also boasts its own well-rated restaurant with beach views.
Child-free travellers, or those looking for a time out from their kids, will love having some relaxing quiet time by the adults-only pool and visting the day spa.
However with 3 pools and apartments from 1-4 bedrooms, Alamanda can accommodate a variety of travellers, families and group sizes.
Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa.
Booking.comImages open in Agoda
The Reef House Boutique Hotel & Spa
Booking.comImages open in Agoda
The Reef House is a boutique adults-only accommodation located in Palm Cove. It has won plenty of awards and has lots of positive reviews across different websites. Perfect for those who love a smaller more intimate style resort.
What is the best resort in Palm Cove?
The 5 star luxury resorts in Palm Cove with the best (highest) rating from guests on Trip Advisor are The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa and Alamanda Palm Cove Resort by Lancemore. Generally, you pay more to stay at the Reef House which is an adults-only resort. However, combined across multiple booking platforms such as TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Hotels.com and Agoda.com you also see Peppers and Pullman high on the list. If your budget is less than $500 a night, you should be able to book a stay most nights of the year at the much-loved resorts Peppers Beach Club Resort & Spa or Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa which have big beautiful pools for relaxing.
Book tours from Palm Cove now
There is free cancellation on most tours with Viator (up to 24-48 hours before)
