Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

The room was spacious, the bed was comfortable, and the pool area looked lovely. Having a car made the distance from town manageable, though walking would be a bit of a trek. Still, we didn’t enjoy our stay, and it didn’t feel worth the $400 a night. We’d booked a room with a spa bath, but ours didn’t have one. That wasn’t a major deal, but it was disappointing. The room also wasn’t clean: on the first night we called reception because the sheets were stained. They changed them quickly, but barely apologised. We chose to pay $175 for a cabana from 10am to 6pm, but pool cleaning ran from 10am until 11:30, so it was noisy for the first hour and a half and hard to enjoy the pool. After swimming, I had dermatitis on my face. I can’t tell whether it was my sensitive skin or the pool conditions, though the pools didn’t look especially clean. We stayed for my birthday, a few days after the booking, and had mentioned it when confirming, but nothing about the stay felt special. This didn’t seem like a five-star hotel.

Nicole, the Duty Manager at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, made us feel valued from the moment we arrived. Her warmth, professionalism and attention to detail helped make the holiday everything we hoped for. We’re grateful to her and the whole team for such a memorable stay, and look forward to coming back. The facilities and atmosphere were outstanding, the food was exceptional, and the service impeccable. We loved the spectacular pool and fantastic swim-up bar, and every staff member we met was welcoming and friendly. We’d highly recommend staying here.

The setting is beautiful, and the beach access is nice for a walk, though the beach is narrow, so it’s not somewhere to lounge. The resort itself is amazing, with huge pools and a spacious, well appointed room. We only stayed one night, and the restaurant food was delicious. I took a star off for service, which felt a little below what I’d expect from a place like this, especially at the Daintree bar and during check-in. Maybe that was because it was off season.

Even with the resort at capacity during a busy time for Far North Queensland, it never felt overcrowded and service stayed excellent. The gardens and grounds are beautiful and well maintained, and the resort works well for couples and families. Rooms are large and clean, in-room dining is fresh and good value, there are plenty of options for kids, and the golf course is decent. For more dining choices in Port Douglas, you’ll need a shuttle or Uber, though the resort has what you need for a comfortable stay. A cabana costs around $200 a day and needs to be booked ahead. It’s worth it for a full day by the pool, as otherwise finding a sunbed can get competitive. We appreciated being able to use the amenities after checkout, but freshening up in the gym bathroom, which has an ambulant toilet and shower, was tricky. A dedicated guest changing room and shower would help. We’d happily return. Joining as a Marriot Bonvoy member is worthwhile too, as the perks are good.