Best Queensland Resorts & Places to Stay

Hamilton Island is one of the most famous tropical Australian holiday destinations

This list of the Best Queensland Resorts and Places to stay is a good place to get started if you are right at the beginning of planning a trip or you have never been to Queensland.

Use it to help narrow down the type of holiday you think you’re looking for and then you can find more options from there.


Best Queensland Resorts and Places to Stay

If your looking for some ideas of some of the most popular and best rated Queensland resorts and places to stay here are some ideas. Keep in mind that this is my interpretation and ‘best’ is subjective, so there are many many other great options not on this list!

Best Queensland Island Resort – Hamilton Island

There are many different Islands in Queensland, and they’re all amazing for different reasons. But Hamilton Island stands out as one of the best Queensland Islands because of its huge size and the variety of what’s on offer.

It has several main resorts, a private luxury resort, adults-only resorts and holiday homes as well as both relaxing pools/day spa, great restaurants and plenty of adventure and outdoor exploring. This makes it a fantastic option for people of all ages, interests and multi-generational families or mixed interests groups.

Hamilton Island has a best price guarantee when you book directly (they will match it if you find a better price for a room), but you can also get some exclusive packages through travel online with extras like room credit and tours. However, do remember you generally have the best flexibility when you book directly.

Alternatively and you can book privately owned hotels like Whitsunday Apartments (booking.com) which are a great option if you are looking for an apartment hotel so you have your own kitchen.

Best Queensland Luxury Rainforest Resort – Silky Oaks Lodge

Silky Oaks Lodge is a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia (a collective or ‘trusted providers’ of luxury accommodation in Australia) and is located in the stunning World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. It reopened in December 2021 after a luxurious multi million dollar renovation.

Stay there for:

  • Newly renovated rooms and facilities
  • Open air rainforest restaurant with creek views
  • Swimming Pool in the rainforest
  • Easy access to explore the Daintree Rainforest

Best Queensland Resort Pool – Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas

Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas gets my vote for the best resort pool in Queensland as it has over 2 hectares (20,000 square metres) of swimmable lagoon pools! With an 8.6/10 on Agoda and 8.4/10 on Booking.com many other travellers agree!

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Stay there for:

  • The incredible pools
  • Direct beach access
  • Swim up bar + poolside dining
  • A relaxing resort holiday
  • Day trips to the nearby Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge

Best Queensland Family Resort – Turtle Beach Resort

With thousands of great reviews from families with kids, turtle beach resort has many repeat customers because of its family-friendly apartment accommodation, waterpark and pools and on site (paid) kids club.

Stay here for:

  • Fantastic kid-focused facilities (not its proximity to the beach)
  • Fully Self Contained apartments 1-3 bedroom apartments
  • Water play park (unheated)
  • Heated pool year-round (great for a winter escape)

Best Queensland Resort in Palm Cove that’s good value for money – Drift Palm Cove

Recently rebranded to Drift Palm Cove (previously Imagine Drift) this great value resort is right in the heart of Palm Cove near plenty of restaurants and ‘the’ palm trees.

Stay at Drift Hotel for:

  • Huge Lagoon Pool (unheated, best in warmer months)
  • Studio Rooms + Self Contained Apartments
  • Surrounded by restaurants and bars
  • Day trip Kuranda & Atherton Tablelands

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More coming soon to this list!

Also Read: Accommodation guides for all of Australia

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