Palm Cove: hotel con bar

We just spent a fantastic week at the Alamanda. Before we arrived they arranged transport for us from (and to) the Cairns airport through Exemplar, an excellent shuttle service. A small discount is applied to the transport charge when the Alamanda makes the booking. From arrival and check in until we reluctantly said goodbye, every staff member including Kiley the manager were helpful and friendly. The kitchen/living area of our oceanfront one bedroom suite (#35) was on the top floor with our spacious en suite bedroom, and a second bathroom with shower, on the floor below. The furnishings are modern, there is Miele equipment in the kitchen and laundry, and the entire place was immaculately clean. The wonderful view from our big balcony took in the beach, palm trees, and one of the three swimming pools. The main pool was being renovated but unlike other reviewers, we never heard any construction noise from it. There was an occasional sound or two from what was probably routine maintenance or minor construction, but it was never a nuisance. The Alamanda is at the end of the main street that runs along the beach and is situated such that the street turns before it passes in front of the side of the building where our suite was located. As far as we could tell this was the only accommodation in Palm Cove that didn’t have the street between it and the beach, so no traffic noise. It is a short walk to the many restaurants, bars, and shops on the main street (DO NOT miss the restaurant Vivo - see separate review). Restaurant La Mesa at the Mantra is very good and gives a discount to Accor members, but only if you have your Accor card with you. There is a small well-stocked grocery store very near Alamanda, and a short distance past the store is the Palm Cove Tavern and bottle shop. Gabi in the office were eager to help us sort out an excursion to Kuranda via the historic train from Freshwater, and back down the mountain via cable car. One tour was based from Cairns which would have required us to pay separately for transport to the train station and back from the cable car station. Upon looking at the many brochures in the office we found a brochure for Brett’s one-day Kuranda tour that originates in Port Douglas with a pick up in Palm Cove, eliminating the need to pay for separate transport. It pays to look closely at the brochures. Gabi booked our tour with Brett’s excellent tour (see separate review) and the charge was put on our room. We have told friends and family about our wonderful stay here and some of them are already planning their visits. We will definitely be back!

Our first room was terrible, so terrible. The curtains were mouldy and stained and I could barely bear to touch them. The carpet was dirty and damp, the whole place smelt very damp and bad. Our bathroom sink wouldn't drain. I lasted 2 nights (which I shouldn't have!) and after reading lots of bad reviews I went to reception to tell them I just couldn't do it. It was unhealthy and I felt sick. The girls at the desk were very helpful and immediately swapped us to another apartment that was lovely, spotlessly clean and fresh and beautiful. Just like you would expect! told them that the first apartment should never have been rented out in that state! I don't understand why they would put people in there. The pool area is beautiful, and I think most of the rooms probably are too, but they need to get the owners of the apartments to renovate if they are not up to scratch. Our last 3 nights were great, so I am putting average. If we had been in there the whole time it would have been perfect.

La persona più carina, Ashley, era la ricevente, molto utile, sorridente e benvenuta. Le strutture erano pulite, confortevoli e confortevoli per l'Esplanade, la cena all'aperto e la spiaggia. Mi piaceva in particolare la piscina al tetto e lo spazio per cena ... molto bello.Alcune luci fatiche aggiunte sarebbero la cerimonia in cima per l'atmosfera bonus.

La stanza è grande! Molto spaziosa con abbastanza spazio per una famiglia di quattro. Ci sono barbecue e cucina, come pure piatti e utensili da cucina. Molto buono. Ma il servizio e l'ospitalità sono poveri. La peggiore esperienza che abbia mai fatto! C'è un ristorante che è sempre completamente prenotato, ma ha ancora tavoli e sedie disponibili. Devi darle il piacere di preparare una tavola per voi, molto inconfortabile per un hotel a cinque stelle! Allora hanno un bar di lagoon che offre cibo e bevande. Il primo giorno 29 di dicembre c'era un matrimonio, quindi il bar del lago è stato chiuso per gli ospiti dell'hotel. Abbiamo chiesto se ci fosse una celebrazione per la festa del New Year's Eve, ma il concierge ci ha detto che era stato cancellato perché nessuno era interessato. Il 31 dicembre hanno chiuso di nuovo il bar della laguna per l'ospite dell'hotel perché improvvisamente avevano una festa del New Year's Eve, ma non per noi. Il 1° gennaio non c'era nessun servizio in camera... Il check-out era lo stesso trattamento sconveniente che durante l'ispezione... Se non ti importa di passare le vacanze come un locatore, è un posto fantastico. Non torneremo qui!

We arrived in the early hours after a very long travel day but thankfully the after hours check in worked well and we found a parking space then, at 2am!! They stress that parking is first come, first served. We stayed a week and typically got in around 4.30 after a day out and only once couldn't park the car in the garage. It was no trouble to find a space on the street. The staff were friendly. Great location with a side view of the beach. We loved the sound of the ocean. Places to eat in the area were plentiful and easy to walk to. Although Rattle & Hum is literally on site and always very busy we never experienced any excessive street noise. The bad points: No full length mirror. Hard to shower without making floor wet. Balcony furniture uncomfortable to sit for long. No oven, just microwave and two rings but perfectly functional for our needs. No fly mesh on window shutters...but bugs weren't an issue during our stay. We absolutely loved Palm Cove and were sad to leave.

Mantra amphora is in a fabulous spot right on Palm Cove, and a short walk from all the restaurants, cafes and shops along the beachfront. We love the pool area, even though the hotel was pretty full, there are plenty of loungers and tables for everyone, with grassy space and beautiful gardens. The spa is a bonus in winter, but worth bringing wetsuits for the huge main pool, especially for kids, if coming in mid-winter. Staff were all lovely and very helpful, but is more a serviced apartments than hotel, with not a lot in the way of extras. Have to pay for wifi. VIVO restaurant at the front is great - both food and service, but not open for breakfast currently - a lot of the Palm Cove restaurants seem to be struggling to get staff at the moment, like many places. If you're into yoga, Hartig yoga on the beachfront is excellent and in the most fabulous spot you could wish for under the coconut palms. This is our second stay here, and would definitely stay again for the pool and location, but the rooms are getting pretty tired and would love to see them get an upgrade in the next few years. Decor is a bit dated, and several minor maintenance issues, no smart TVs etc. The apartments overall are really spacious and well-appointed, lots of fans and good aircon, with nice large balconies. I think all apartments have either a beach view or face onto the pool area? Layout is really good overall.

Save for the pillows...beautiful apartment. Lots of space. Nice and clean. Great swimming facilities. MAGNIFICENT landscaping. Walk to beach. Polite, courteous and helpful management. Oven, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer...Needed to get new toaster. Request answered in lightening fashion. Spa on site. Massage, facials...Small coffee shop...Perhaps the only complaint, coffee shop not always open. If you are searching for peace and tranquility...Mango Lagoon Resort is for you.