Make no mistake, Queensland isn’t letting a travel lull kill its vibe. In fact, over the next year, some amazing accommodation options will be opening their doors. No matter what your reason for travelling, what kind of holiday you’re after, or even your travel style – Queensland is delivering the goods. Here are five to put on your itinerary.
Flynn Hotel, Cairns
Opening in early October, the five-star Flynn Hotel is boutique, energetic, trendy, and located right on the Cairns esplanade across from the iconic Cairns Lagoon. Flynn has a strong focus on responsible luxury, so it includes initiatives such as room key cards made from recycled wood, reusable glass water bottles in the rooms, and sourcing 80% of their produce for on-site food and beverage outlets all within a three-hour-drive of Cairns.
It’s the third hotel to open in Cairns as part of the Crystalbrook Collection and is described as the ‘wild child’ with a completely cashless system and modern tech like touch-controlled blackout blinds in the rooms for the morning after a big sesh in Cairns.
There’s an Italian restaurant, a 70s-inspired whiskey and wine bar, as well as an onsite day spa with two swimming pools hanging over Boardwalk social; restaurant-cum-night market with six food stalls inspired by the gastropub and food truck classics, 36 beers on tap, 40 gins to try out, live music, local and touring DJs, even a video wall for screening live sports events.
Paradise Cove Resort, Whitsundays
If you love soft adventure mixed with luxury, here’s where you can experience both. From September, Paradise Cove Resort will be offering a mix of waterfront private Balinese-style villas with all the modern amenities, as well as a glamping experience with king-sized beds, private hot water bathrooms, rounded out with a beachfront location. At night, you can relax by the fire pit and soak up the stars.
Paradise Cove is accessible by boat, seaplane, or helicopter which is all-inclusive. Additional sailing excursions and tours can also be booked departing the resort.
The estate only hosts 22 guests at a time, so the experience is fairly intimate. You get the best of both worlds with white sandy beaches and rugged bushland, making it perfect for exploring, trekking, as well as aquatic activities. Located not too far from Airlie Beach, guests get plenty of privacy, which is why the whole estate is commonly booked out for group holidays, weddings, special events, and the like.
JW Marriott, Gold Coast
The JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa will make a debut this December with a rebrand. Formerly the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, it has been welcomed into the JW Marriott brand. Following a huge renovation, the new resort will bring a level of sophistication, style, and luxury to the Gold Coast.
The new resort has been designed to reflect the natural surroundings and offer six food and beverage venues, including two feature restaurants, lobby lounge and bar, pool bar, a new Japanese whisky bar with an outdoor terrace, as well as a signature JW Marketplace offering a casual café and in-house provedore with freshly ground coffees, local produce, healthy and tasty grab-and-go bites. Suffice it to say, you won’t run out of dining options during your stay here.
There’s also the signature pool bar and saltwater lagoon with more than 300 tropical fish and a relaxing day spa on-site. The new property is set to be the perfect mix for those travelling for business as well as leisure.
Pelorus Island Retreat, Great Barrier Reef
Accessible only via 30-minute helicopter flight or a private yacht from Townsville, Pelorus Island is almost ready to unveil an incredible luxury experience in mid- 2021, giving you a bit of time to save your cash for this ultimate indulgence at about $15,000 a night.
The boutique retreat run by Northern Escape Collections accommodates no more than eight guests in four luxurious and expansive suites. The lodge’s fully equipped kitchen is at the disposal of guests or a private chef to take care of everything. The private residence will allow guests to be ‘at one’ with nature. Whether it’s through snorkelling or diving the clear waters of the fringing reef – which is accessible directly from the beach – or cruising the Great Palm Island Group on an Iguana 31 amphibious yacht.
Guests can fish for the most sought-after reef species in the world or indulge in a gourmet picnic on a secluded beach. Set to be the ultimate luxe retreat experience on the Reef, it’s perfect for groups or high-end corporate retreats.
Binna Burra Lodge, Gold Coast Hinterland
Almost a year after a devastating bushfire heavily damaged the heritage-listed Binna Burra Lodge in the Gold Coat Hinterland, it’s set to re-open to the public this September – and looking better than ever.
The Lodge is perfect for some serious R&R as its isolated location within the Lamington National Park, which means there’s little around except some of Australia’s most spectacular natural features. Spend your time trekking and hiking or simply kick back and unwind.
Perfect for those looking for a bit of adventure, here it’s all about sustainability and enjoying the surrounds when you stay at either the rainforest campsites – where you can BYO tent, campervan – or hire a permanent canvas safari tent. Alternatively, you can also go a little bit luxe and choose the studio, one, two, or three-bedroom eco-friendly SkyLodges where you can soak in a spa bath with views over the views across the Coomera and Numinbah Valleys; or maybe cosy up in front of the fireplace.
