Palm Cove Penthouse Accommodation

We won't book here again. Our apartment felt worn and was among the less clean places we've stayed. There was only one bathroom and no separate toilet, which was inconvenient for four guests. The balcony needed a thorough clean, with cobwebs everywhere, and was swamped with wasps in the morning. Its furniture looked as though it hadn't been used for ages. The pool beside our building looked similarly neglected, with chipped tiles. At reception at the Sebel, nobody told us our hotel had no pool towels, so we used the room towels instead. One had yellow stains, and we also found underwear from previous guests on a bedroom floor.

Time at the beach is relaxing, though the Palm Cove area is looking a bit sad. The route to the beach goes past a long-deserted resort, and several coastal restaurants and bars are closed. The beach bars and eateries are a good 15-minute walk away, which is lovely in good weather but not when it's raining. It would be great to have a bar and restaurant on site.

The gardens, pools and facilities are beautifully kept, and the place is quiet apart from the sounds of local wildlife. Our exceptional apartment had three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a balcony you could access from every room and outdoor seating. It was lovely for breakfast and a quiet moment in the early morning. There's a scenic 1 km walk to cafes and restaurants with incredible ocean views, along an esplanade lined with paperbark and palm trees. Shops for groceries are a short drive away, as are local attractions such as the military museum, Skyrail and Cairns, around 30 minutes away. Our best family holiday so far!

The rooms were fresh, clean and good. Reception helped us out with towels and toiletries, and Palm Cove Beach is within walking distance.