Inside Australia’s best luxury hotel: Why this dreamy adults-only hideaway is a ‘must visit’ for thousands

A luxury wellness resort overlooking an idyllic beach in far north Queensland has been crowned Australia’s best.

Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa is located in the dreamy Cairns suburb of Palm Cove and won the title of best five-star luxury accommodation in the country at the 2024 Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin.

The rooms, restaurants and bars of this adults-only hotel are just meters from the beautiful Palm Cove Beach, recently ranked number one in Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 34. The most beautiful beaches in the world list.

Opulent rooms wrap around a sparkling communal pool surrounded by tropical palm trees and lounge chairs.

Visitors can relax and rejuvenate in one of the hotel’s 67 suites, some of which feature a king-size four-poster bed, a huge spa bath, and views of the picturesque beach.

Guests can enjoy more than 20 complimentary experiences as part of their seaside getaway, from cocktail-making classes to sand yoga and aqua aerobics sessions.

Daily poolside punch, canapes and sorbet sessions are also available to guests, as well as bicycles to explore Palm Cove and a free library for guests to enjoy for free.

Reef House directors Malcolm Bean and David Horbelt launched the gem together 13 years ago.

They said it was a great honor for the boutique hotel to win a national award which they attributed to the iconic guest experiences and high occupancy rates.

“The Reef House’s vision of providing the best luxury tropical getaway based on exclusivity, experiences, service and memories resonates with guests who flood TripAdvisor with positive reviews praising the way the staff makes them feel,” Mr. Bean said.

“Our footfall has increased to 25 percent with guests wanting to be pampered while taking time to rest, relax and recharge in a place where they know the staff by name.”

Mr Bean said the secret to Reef House’s success is its high staff-to-guest ratio, which ensures everyone who stays “feels like VIPs” when on holiday.

Neighboring Palm Cove Beach, located at the Reef House Hotel, has been described by Condé Nast Traveler as “the epitome of a tropical paradise.”

She beat out breathtaking beaches around the world, including those in Hawaii, Fiji and France.

Its incredible sandy shoreline is shaded by leaning palm trees and 500-year-old melaleuca trees.

The inviting blue waters are popular with swimmers, fishermen and kayakers. Whales and dolphins are often seen from the pier.

The township of Palm Cove, home to just over 2,000 residents, is considered by locals and visitors to be one of tropical North Queensland’s “most glamorous seaside villages” thanks to its collection of restaurants, bars and world-class spas.