Drift Beach House Getaway

The location near the beach was nice, but the house hadn’t been cleaned. The ensuite bathroom was dirty, and its shower window had no curtain, so there was no privacy. We weren’t given proper blankets, and there were cockroaches and ants everywhere. Then the owner tried to charge us for not cleaning, even though we hadn’t arrived to a clean place. I’d never return or recommend it.

We chose it for the location, which was as good as we’d hoped. The stay itself was a letdown: it was dusty, and there were lizards, cockroaches and other insects inside. The dishwasher didn’t work and smelled awful. Check-in details weren’t provided properly, and when we called, the host was rude, as though we were bothering her. For what we paid, we expected better. Very disappointing, and we won’t be back.

The teens really liked having their own space in the separate bungalow at the back, and we enjoyed walking along the beach to the local café for brunch. Drift Beach House worked perfectly for our family. It’s peaceful, with a garden and surrounding trees that give you privacy and attract birds, butterflies and bats. The kitchen and bathrooms had everything we needed, and the simple, tasteful styling felt right. The beachfront setting was a treat, with waves crashing just metres from the porch. Palm trees, a hammock, sunlounges and Balinese statutes made it feel like a tropical hideaway. It’s also a convenient base, about 15 mins from Cairns and the Airport, with Reef tours, the Sky rail and other Cairns sights nearby. Highly recommended, 5 stars!

We made the best of the stay and tried to enjoy our vacation, but the apartment needs some maintenance and looked better in the photos. The TV didn’t work, and there was no telecommand for the other TV in the outside room. The door between the salon and Terrasse was partly broken, so it was difficult to get in and out.