Relax in a lagoon pool sipping cocktails on the Great Barrier Reefs’ doorstep or hang out with new friends at a budget-friendly hostel. Below you’ll find the best places to stay in Port Douglas!
Often voted one of Australia’s best towns, Port Douglas is Cairns’ northern neighbor situated on the footstep of the world’s most ancient rainforest, the Daintree.
While this global treasure is often what draws the nearly 1.2 million visitors annually, the truth is that you can easily stay in Port Douglas for weeks and still won’t have time to see it all.
Below I’ll break down the best areas and places to stay in Port Douglas., with recommendations for the best luxury resorts, mid-range hotels, and great budget picks.
My favourite place to stay is the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort with an unbeatable lagoon pool and location to Four Mile Beach.
Port Douglas Accommodation Quick List
Don't have time to read the whole guide? Want the latest picks? Choose from the top five Port Douglas hotels below.
- Highest value-for-money hotel: Oaks Resort
- Best 5-star Luxury Resort: Sheraton Grande Mirage
- Great Hotel on Macrossan Street: Peninsula Boutique
- Best Hotel on Four Mile Beach: Sheraton Grande Mirage
- Best Backpacker Hostel: Port Douglas Backpackers
Best Areas to Stay in Port Douglas
The truth is, Port Douglas really isn't that big. In fact, only about 3,500 people live here! To help you plan your visit, I've included a quick area rundown below so you can pick a place to stay that suits your travel style.
- Macrossan Street - This is the main strip. It's where you will find shops, restaurants, tour booking offices, and a few hotels and resorts. If you want a place in the heart of Port Douglas, book a hotel close to or on this main street.
- Port Douglas Shire - This refers to the greater area. Again, it's quite a small village so most of the hotels, resorts, and backpacker hostels are all within walking distance of everything.
- Four Mile Beach - This is the beautiful stretch of white-sand beach on the doorstep of Port Douglas. You can walk to the northern end from Macrossan Street in a few minutes but many of the resorts and hotels are located on the southern end.
Luxury Hotels in Port Douglas
| Hotel | Area | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Niramaya Villas and Spa | Four Mile Beach | $$$$$ |
 | Shantara Resort | Port Douglas Town | $$$$ |
 | Peninsula Boutique Hotel | Macrossan Street | $$$ |
 | Peppers Beach Club | Four Mile Beach | $$$ |
 | Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort | Four Mile Beach | $$$ |
Niramaya Villas and Spa
- Area: Four Mile Beach
- Best for: Couples or groups looking for a relaxing getaway!
Looking for the ultimate luxury experience where the rainforest meets the reef? You've got it at Niramaya Villas and Spa.
This luxury resort in Port Douglas offers incredible villas, each complete with a private plunge pool, patio, and BBQ. There's also an onsite spa, bar, fitness center, and tennis court. This is a great option for groups or couples.
Niramaya Villas resort is located right on the doorstep of Four Mile Beach. It's in a quiet area that is still within walking distance of restaurants and bars if you feel like leaving the resort!
Check out the best Cairns Tours and Experiences during your visit!
Shantara Resort
- Area: Port Douglas Town
- Best for: Those looking for an adult-only resort close to the beach
The Shantara Resort is an adults-only luxury resort in Port Douglas. It has some of the best reviews online and is great value for money.
At the Shantara, you'll get boutique-style accommodations with a private balcony. There are two swimming pools, a fitness center, and a day spa.
One of my favorite things about this resort is that the location is perfect. You can walk to the northern end of Four Mile Beach in under eight minutes.
Peninsula Boutique Hotel
- Area: Macrossan Street
- Best for: Adults looking to be close to the beach
If a beach-front luxury resort is on your wish list, look no further than the Peninsula Boutique Hotel. This one is directly opposite the beach at the quiet end of Macrossan Street. This is the best-located resort in Port Douglas, with only a thin line of tropical coconut palms separating you from the shores of the Great Barrier Reef.
The resort itself is also another adult-only retreat. This means it's not a good pick for families but a great one for couples.
Rooms have ocean views, private balconies, and cooking facilities. An on-site bar and a restaurant can be found serving Australian cuisine and cocktails. Of course, in tropical spirit guests also get access to the pool so you'll have the choice of a fresh or saltwater swim!
Tip: Remember this area is CROC country! There have been crocodiles sighted at Four Mile Beach and if you plan to swim I suggest heading to the flagged area with lifeguards.
Peppers Beach Club
- Area: Four Mile Beach
- Best for: Couples or families wanting a relaxing resort close to the beach
Peppers is one of the most iconic resorts in Port Douglas. It's located just behind Macrossan Street close to Four Mile Beach. You'll get all the same offerings as the other luxury accommodation options in Port Douglas but often at a discounted price!
With a fitness center, lagoon pool, and balcony rooms, Peppers is a great spot for families or couples to experience the wonder of Port Douglas.
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort
- Area: Four Mile Beach
- Best for: Large groups or couples looking for a romantic resort
After a truly luxury getaway? The Sheraton Grand Mirage is one of the most incredible five-star resorts in Port Douglas. The lagoon pool is absolutely mind-blowing and you can even book suites with swim-out balconies!
The Grand Mirage is located right on the water at Four Mile Beach. It's the only true waterfront resort in Port Douglas. Guests can hop out of the saltwater lagoon pool, walk through the rainforest gardens, and find themselves on one of Australia's most iconic stretches of white sand.
This is by far my favourite pick for luxury stays in Port Douglas. Did I mention it has 9 pools?
Tip: Don't miss out on visiting the Tropical Low Isles during your visit to Port Douglas!
Best Value Hotels in Port Douglas
| Hotel | Area | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Paradise Links Resort | Port Douglas Shire | $$ |
 | Oaks Resort | Port Douglas Shire | $$$ |
 | Titree Resort Apartments | Four Mile Beach | $$$ |
 | Lychee Tree Holiday Apartments | Port Douglas Shire | $$ |
Paradise Links Resort
- Area: Port Douglas Shire
- Best for: Families or couples who enjoy tranquility or looking to be close to the golf course
Paradise Links Resort is at the top of this list because it offers a luxury resort experience for a valued hotel price! So, if you're a traveler looking for where to stay without breaking the bank, save some time and check this one out.
Located near the south end of Port Douglas, this resort offers two lagoon swimming pools, a tennis court, and backs onto the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course. It's got excellent reviews online and it is very little to fault.
Oaks Resort
- Area: Port Douglas Shire
- Best for: Swim-up bar, great for couples on a getaway
Oaks Resorts are among some of Australia's best luxury accommodation options. The Oaks Resort in Port Douglas is no exception to that rule. Guests will get a tropical resort experience complete with palm garden views and a lagoon pool with a swim-up bar.
It's a great pick for couples looking for a romantic getaway that doesn't cost thousands. I stayed here for Haylea and I's anniversary and it ticked all the boxes and the private hot tub was a great place to relax with a wine.
Titree Resort Apartments
- Area: Port Douglas
- Best for: 11-minute walk to the Wildlife Habitat Animal Sanctuary
Titree Resort is another great mid-range Port Douglas accommodation offering. This one is located at the southern end of Four Mile Beach, right near the Wildlife Habitat Animal Sanctuary.
Like all the best hotels in Port Douglas, Titree Resort features a large lagoon swimming pool. You'll also find a hot tub, BBQ area, and a tennis court here!
What makes it unique is that this one offers fully self-contained apartments at a fraction of the cost of some of the highest-end resorts.
Tip: Check out Mossman Gorge as a day trip. It's a short 20-minute drive from Port Douglas and offers incredible cultural tours, and wildlife encounters through the ancient rainforest!
Lychee Tree Holiday Apartments
- Area: Port Douglas Shire
- Best for: Those looking for self-catering style apartments for a low cost
Many of the options in this Port Douglas accommodation guide resort-style offerings. But, what Lychee Tree does differently is that they offer one or two-bedroom, self-contained apartments with a pool in the heart of Port Douglas for a great price.
A great value apartment hotel option for families who would prefer to stock up their own family fridge and enjoy family BBQs on their balcony!
Best Port Douglas Budget Hostels
| Hostel | Area | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Global Backpackers | Macrossan Street | $ |
 | PD Backpackers | Port Douglas | $ |
Global Backpackers
- Area: Macrossan Street
- Best for: Those looking for cheap accommodation
Now that we're onto the cheap-as-chips accommodations like Global Backpackers, I'll let you know that in this town, cheap doesn't mean dirty!
A bunk in a dorm right on Macrossan Street will cost you less than $33 per night! This is one of the best locations for backpackers in Port Douglas as you'll be on the doorstep of great bars and restaurants.
Port Douglas Backpackers
- Area: Port Douglas Shire
- Best for: Cheap accommodation in a good location
Honestly, if I'm looking for where to stay in Port Douglas on a backpacker's budget, I'd choose DP Backpackers. Although not in the main town this is a great place to meet new people and save on money.
My Hotel Selection Process
- Accommodation Criteria: I select hotels & resorts in Port Douglas based on the best current prices, location & proximity to main attractions like Four Mile Beach and Port Douglas Town. I scan hundreds of hotel listings to review the current reviews, ratings, and recommendations.
- My Experience: I've traveled in Port Douglas & Cairns for over a year and stayed in many listed resorts and hotels. I've also read hundreds of reviews, comparing them based on my criteria to select hotels offering the best value for money.
- Top Reviews: All selected hotels maintain exceptional ratings on booking sites such as Hotels.com, Expedia, & Booking.com. I regularly refresh my selections to guarantee that every hotel consistently upholds a high-quality standard.
- Local Insights: My hotel selections are based on my personal experience, with recommendations from other travelers, and local tour operators that I have worked alongside during my time in Cairns and Port Douglas.
Read more about how I review & select hotels & accommodations.
I'm Olly, a full-time traveler since 2018. Each accommodation option in this guide is handpicked by me. Read my travel review ethics statement.
FAQ About Staying in Port Douglas
Is it better to stay in Port Douglas or Cairns?
Choosing between Port Douglas and Cairns depends on your travel preferences. Port Douglas offers a more relaxed, boutique experience, ideal for luxury stays and close to the Daintree Rainforest. Cairns is a larger city with more budget-friendly options and direct access to a wider range of tours and activities to the Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island.
How many days is enough in Port Douglas?
To fully enjoy what Port Douglas has to offer, I recommend a stay of 3 to 5 days. This gives you enough time to explore the key attractions such as the Daintree Rainforest, Four Mile Beach, and the Mossman area, while also enjoying some downtime at your accommodation. Those interested in diving trips to the Great Barrier Reef might want to extend their stay further.
What is the best month to visit Port Douglas?
June to September are the best months to visit Port Douglas. During these months the temperature is comfortable, low rainfall is seen, and it's the optimal conditions for both rainforest and reef tours. This period also aligns with the Australian winter, providing a pleasant escape from colder southern temperatures. It is also out of the window of the stinger season which runs November-May.
Are there crocodiles in Port Douglas?
Yes, crocodiles live in and around Port Douglas, especially in estuaries, rivers, and occasionally on Four Mile Beach. Always heed local advice, swim only in designated areas, and avoid river mouths or estuaries to ensure your safety. If you want to view them safely in the wild head to Crocodile Viewpoint at low tide as many large crocodiles can be viewed from here.
Can I visit the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas?
Yes! Port Douglas is one of the best places for trips to the Great Barrier Reef. You can choose from a variety of tours, including snorkeling, diving, and glass-bottom boat tours, or even a helicopter tour from the reef.
So, that wraps up this accommodation guide for places to stay in Port Douglas. After you pick where to stay, make sure to check out some of my travel guides to the region.
- 60+ Things to do in Cairns - my ultimate Cairns and FNQ travel resource covering the best activities, hidden gems, and unmissable experiences.
- Cairns Hiking Guide - a huge list of epic rainforest, waterfall, and lookout hikes in Cairns.
- Cairns Waterfalls - a huge list of epic waterfalls that I've visited in Cairns and the surrounding tropics.
- Cairns Islands - discover my favorite Great Barrier Reef islands near Cairns and Port Douglas.
- Cairns Tours - my roundup of the best tours you can book in Cairns and FNQ, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree Rainforest.
- Cairns Packing List - tips on what to pack for a trip to Far North Queensland.
- Top Things to Do in Port Douglas - a comprehensive guide to the sleepy Far North Queensland town of Port Douglas.
- Epic 5-Day Cairns Itinerary - my suggested adventure itinerary if you only have 5 days to spend in Cairns.
- Cape Tribulation Travel Guide - discover where the rainforest meets the reef at one of my favourite places in Australia.
- Magnetic Island Travel Guide - your ultimate resource for visiting "Maggie" near Townsville.
- Best Things to do in the Atherton Tablelands - my guide to one of Far North Queensland's most underrated adventure destinations.
- Accommodation Resources: Discover where to stay in Cairns, the best hotels in Port Douglas and my Cape Tribulation accommodation guide.
