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Reef Retreat, The, Cairns

The Reef Retreat, a tropical paradise on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, is next to idyllic Palm Cove Beach twenty minutes north of Cairns. The award winning architect of this boutique retreat has created a unique ambience with rooms tucked in amongst a rainforest setting. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, palm trees and exotic birds. The Reef Retreat offers seclusion on the one hand, but is in the centre of a cosmopolitan seaside village. The architect’s extensive use of timber ramps, walkways, louvre windows and bi-fold doors contribute to creating a unique tropical experience.

Guest can choose from studios, ocean or pool view suites, spa suites or a two bedroom villa, all with Asian fusion decor. The rooms offer spacious open designs of 35 to 120 square metres, air conditioning (as well as fans), television, STD and IDD dialling phones. The five room types are located in three low-rise two and three level buildings. Rooms come complete with kitchenettes, living/sleeping area, and spacious private balconies over looking the peaceful Coral Sea or lush tropical gardens and pool. The two bedroom villa, has a spa bath, ocean views through the melaleuca trees, a full kitchen and private laundry.

Guests can relax in the spa, swim in the pool, have an Aussie barbecue in a tropical rainforest setting or book one of 300 tours at the friendly tour desk. Other facilities include a guest laundry, safety deposit box in reception, free undercover parking and guest storage facilities. The staff at Reef Retreat are committed to making this an Australian experience not to be forgotten. As one guest wrote ‘We have travelled extensively around the world and few would equal the ambience of this beautiful place.’

Accommodation Options

Studio

Excellent value for two persons. Ten studios built in 1987 and refurbished in 2001 with the architectural style of Tropical North Queensland, include a sleeping and living area (one large room) with kitchenette and private balconies facing the lush tropical gardens, pool and mountains. Two levels, ground and first floors.

Suite

For those who like extra space and comfort. Nine suites, built in 1995 and refurbished in 2001, include two rooms, a sleeping and living area with kitchenette, divided by sliding western red cedar louvre doors. Designed by an award-winning architect, they were built to blend into this unique rainforest setting next to the sea. Spacious, private balconies face the lush tropical gardens and pool. Three levels, first, second, third floors.

Spa Suite

For the romantic at heart. Six spa suites, built in 1997 and refurbished in 2003, consist of one interior room, including bathroom with spa bath, and one seating area and kitchenette on the balcony. Sliding doors open from one room to another, creating an outdoor/indoor ambience. Rooms, tucked unobtrusively amongst the giant paperback trees, overlook the pool and lush tropical gardens. Three levels, ground, first, second levels.

Two Bedroom Villa

For those who want it all; space, comfort, seclusion, privacy, spa bath and ocean views. The two bedroom villa, built in 1995 and refurbished in 2001, includes a full kitchen, spacious bathroom with spa bath, and separate laundry. The living room, with its cathedral ceilings and western red cedar louvre doors, opens onto the spacious verandah with views of the Coral Sea through the giant paperback trees. Level three.

Ocean View Suite

For the romantic at heart; six suites, built in 2000 and refurbished in 2003, consist of one bedroom, bathroom with spa bath, and kitchenette on the verandah. Spacious, private balcony with expansive views of the Coral Sea.

Popular Activities

  • Swimming

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