Wondering where to stay in Port Douglas? Here you will find an up-to-date accommodation guide to help you find the best hotels, luxury resorts and budget backpacker hostels, as well as the best area to stay.
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.
In this guide, I'll hope to help you out by making the choice of where to stay in Port Douglas that much easier. I've made it simple by compiling the best luxury resorts, the best mid-range hotels, and some great budget picks and backpacker hostels. This will hopefully narrow down the search for places to stay so you can focus on the good stuff.
In this accommodation guide, you'll also find a quick area summary so you can explore more options yourself. So, if even if you don't pick some of my recommendations, you'll still gain lots of value from this guide.
I'm Olly, a full-time traveler for the past 5 years. I visit every destination I write about & handpick all recommendations.
Port Douglas Accommodation Quick List
In a rush? Below I've compiled a summary of the best picks in this Port Douglas hotel and accommodation guide. The links are to Booking.com, which is what I always use to book accommodation for travel because they have the best prices and the best refund policy out there.
Best 5-star Luxury Resort: Sheraton Grande Mirage
Highest value-for-money hotel: Oaks Resort
Great Hotel on Macrossan Street: Peninsula Boutique
Best Hotel on Four Mile Beach: Sheraton Grande Mirage
Best Backpacker Hostel: Dougies Backpackers
A Quick Rundown of Where to Stay in Port Douglas
The truth is, Port Douglas really isn't that big. In fact, only about 3500 people live here! But, these locals are used to visitors, with over 1.2 million making a visit to the shire every year!
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 plan.
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.
Summary of the Best Hotels in Port Douglas
Below is a summary of my best picks for Port Douglas for every budget. I've included 5 luxury hotels/resorts, 5 great value hotels, and 3 of the best backpacker hostels.
The prices indicate a rough average for the peak season of May to September when most visitors stay in Port Douglas. However, to get accurate pricing and to check availability for your dates, I recommend clicking the links to check on Booking.com.
Otherwise, keep reading below where I have written short summary reviews and included more photos of each resort, hotel, and apartment offer.
Luxury Hotels
| Accommodation Option | Area | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Niramaya Villas and Spa | Four Mile Beach | $$$$$ |
 | Shantara Resort | Port Douglas | $$$$ |
 | Peninsula Boutique Hotel | Macrossan Street | $$$ |
 | Peppers Beach Club | Four Mile Beach | $$$ |
 | Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort | Four Mile Beach | $$$ |
Best Value Hotels
| Accommodation Option | Area | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Paradise Links Resort | Port Douglas | $$ |
 | Uyoung Diving Resort | Port Douglas | $$ |
 | Oaks Resort | Port Douglas | $$$ |
 | Titree Resort Apartments | Four Mile Beach | $$$ |
 | Lychee Tree Holiday Apartments | Port Douglas | $$ |
Best Budget Hostels
| Accommodation Option | Area | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Global Backpackers | Macrossan Street | $ |
 | Dougies Backpackers Resort | Port Douglas | $ |
 | PD Backpackers | Port Douglas | $ |
Best Places to Stay in Port Douglas
Best Luxury Hotels
Niramaya Villas and Spa
- Area: Four Mile Beach
- Best for: Luxury resort with a large pool
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 families 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 even feel like leaving the resort!
Related: The 10 Best Cairns Tours & Experiences
Shantara Resort
- Area: Port Douglas
- Best for: Adults only with a large pool. Close to the beach and Macrossan Street
The Shantara Resort is an adults-only luxury resort in Port Douglas. This one has some of the best reviews online and great value for money considering just how incredible this place is.
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. It's also right next to the best restaurants and hotels on Macrossan Street.
Stay in Cairns Instead!
Cairns, just a short hop from Port Douglas makes for an ideal alternative (or addition) with great accommodation options such as:
- Top Resort: Crystalbrook Riley
- Mid Range: Fitzroy Island Resort
- Budget: Gilligan's Backpackers
- ...+10 more in this Cairns Accommodation Guide
Peninsula Boutique Hotel
- Area: Macrossan Street
- Best for: Across from Four Mile 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. There's an on-site bar and a restaurant serving Australian cuisine and cocktails. Of course, in tropical spirit guests also get access to the on-site pool so you'll have the choice of a fresh or saltwater swim!
Peppers Beach Club
- Area: Four Mile Beach
- Best for: 5-minute walk to Four Mile Beach. Close to restaurants.
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 some of the best prices.
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: Only true beachfront resort on Four Mile Beach
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 literally hop out of the lagoon pool, walk through the rainforest gardens and find themselves on one of Australia's most iconic stretches of white sand.
Don't Miss: The Tropical Low Isles
Best Value Hotels
Paradise Links Resort
- Area: Port Douglas
- Best for: Upscale hotel opposite the Palmer Sea Reef golf course
In this section, I'll outline some of the best value hotels in Port Douglas. 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 luxury 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.
Uyoung Diving Resort
- Area: Port Douglas
- Best for: PADI-accredited resort
By far, the best way to experience the Great Barrier Reef is to immerse yourself beneath the surface. Whether you're a seasoned diver or you're looking to take your first breath underwater, Uyoung Diving Resort is a great place to stay in Port Douglas.
Located 500 meters from Four Mile Beach, this diving resort is a great option to tie scuba into your visit to Far North Queensland! You'll get great rates on scuba courses like the PADI Open Water or Advanced courses and be taught by world-class diving instructors on the largest reef system in the world!
Oaks Resort
- Area: Port Douglas
- Best for: Swim-up bar, great for couples
Oaks Resorts are among some of Australia's best luxury accommodation options. The Oaks 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.
The Oaks Resort is a great hotel in Port Douglas for couples looking for a romantic getaway that doesn't cost thousands.
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.
Experience the Daintree: Mossman Gorge | Devils Thumb
Lychee Tree Holiday Apartments
- Area: Port Douglas
- Best for: Self-catering apartments at 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.
This is 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!
The Ultimate Cape Tribulation Travel Resource
Looking for more Cape Trib travel guides & adventure inspiration? Below are my most comprehensive blog posts that will serve as a great free resource for your trip.
Best Budget Hostels
Global Backpackers
- Area: Port Douglas
- Best for: Cheap dorm bed on Macrossan Street
Now that we're onto the cheap-as-chips accommodations, I'll let you know that in the shire, cheap doesn't mean dirty! The backpacker and bunk options here are world-class and some of the best I've ever seen.
Global Backpackers is a great example of this. A bunk in a dorm right on Macrossan Street will cost you less than $30 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.
Dougies Backpackers Resort
- Area: Port Douglas
- Best for: Laid back hostel which is 14 minute walk from Four Mile Beach
A resort/backpacker hostel fusion? That's exactly what you'll get at Dougies Backpackers Resort. There's a great pool, an on-site bar, and a guaranteed great vibe.
The location is a little further south of Global Backpackers but you'll be closer to the beach and dorm beds are even cheaper!
Port Douglas Backpackers
- Area: Port Douglas
- Best for: 7 minute walk to Four Mile Beach and 11 minutes walk to Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse.
Honestly, if I'm looking for where to stay in Port Douglas on a backpacker's budget, I'd choose either Global or Dougies above. However, I wouldn't count out Port Douglas Backpackers if you can catch a great room rate.
While this one doesn't have the same great reviews, you will get access to a saltwater swimming pool.
Visiting Port Douglas: More Info & Things to do
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. I've spent over a year exploring the best adventures in Far North Queensland.
Below are some of my recommended articles to start off:
- 60+ Things to do in Cairns - my ultimate Cairns and FNQ travel resource covering the best activities, hidden gems, and unmissable experiences.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
