Coconut Grove Apartments

Despite being situated at one of Port Douglas's busier intersections, this upscale apartment complex has a secluded feel, thanks to its simple, airy reception adorned with potted tropical plants and its lush, landscaped grounds with a pristine swimming pool. Whatever it is, the guests here seem seriously relaxed -- quite a contrast with some of the bigger resorts in town. Even though the pool is small, it rarely seems to get crowded, unsurprising considering there are just 33 apartments here, many with their own private pools. Most guests seem happy to spend time in their upscale, roomy units, so this isn't the place for socializing. The subdued vibe is best suited to couples, but the multi-bedroom apartments also appeal to families. 

Situated at the intersection of Davidson and Macrossan Streets, the Coconut Grove Apartments could not be in a more convenient location. Macrossan Street is one of the town's main commercial strips, while Davidson Street runs parallel to Four Mile Beach and is home to most of Port Douglas's hotels and resorts. There's a supermarket a five-minute walk away and banks, shops, and many of the town's noteworthy restaurants are within a 10-minute stroll. The north end of Four Mile Beach is a three-minute walk. The south end of town, where some of the larger resorts are located, takes under 10 minutes by car and the Cairns Airport is about an hour away.

The apartments here fall into three categories. The Balcony Apartments on the ground floor and the Terrace Apartments on the first floor are similar in size, but the latter feature larger outdoor areas with plunge pools and whirlpools. The second floor is home to the most spacious suites: the duplex Penthouse Apartments, which come with roof decks with plunge pools, whirlpools, and barbecues. All apartments feature three bedrooms, but if you only wish to use one or two of them, you pay less (the unused bedrooms remain locked for the duration of your stay).

Interiors are decked out with high-quality appliances and everything -- from the luxurious beds to the Miele appliances in the kitchens -- is in top shape. Decor is modern, with off-white walls, cream tile floors, and contemporary furniture with dark brown and grayish-tan accent pieces. All apartments come with flat-screen TVs and music systems, and Wi-Fi is available for a fee. Bathrooms come with L'Occitane toiletries and whirlpool baths. These are self-catering apartments, so don't expect minibars, room service, or a turn-down service. Daily housekeeping is available, but costs extra; otherwise, the rooms are serviced once every five days. 

The complex's main swimming pool is a narrow, 65-foot lap pool with a plunge pool at one end and a covered pavilion with a barbecue for guest use. Since most of the apartments have their own pools, this one doesn't get much use. The rest of the complex's communal amenities, which include a lawn area with patio tables and chairs and a computer station with a printer, are usually empty, too. There is no gym, restaurant, or spa facility on site, and reception/tour desk is only staffed during regular business hours.