Alice Hampson checks into the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple alone, and vows to take her kids back one day. It’s huge, beautiful – and surprisingly tranquil, even when it’s act capacity. Here’s Alice’s full review.
It is the strangest thing.
We’re staying at one of the most family-friendly resorts in sunny Port Douglas during the peak of the high season. The resort is apparently at capacity… but… it’s somehow so quiet and peaceful that I can hear the palm trees swaying in the wind.
On my first morning waking up at the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple I realise I’ve slept with shutters in my bedroom open (there’s a netting insect guard on the outside, so creepy crawlies or mozzies aren’t an issue). There’s a bit of light peeping into the room and yes, I can hear those palm trees. I assume it must be something like 5.30am because I’m a stone throw’s from the resort’s stunning waterways – pools that connect up through a series of little rivers you can float through – and I can’t hear any kids playing or squealing. I can’t believe it when I roll over and discover it’s 7.30.
Despite there being plenty of kids about, somehow – perhaps through very clever planning? – this resort manages to stay serene, quiet and relaxed at any time of the day.
Besides the absolute tranquillity of this place, it’s those incredible pools that give you the most incredible first impression.
When your taxi pulls up at the reception it offers a little view through to the start of them – a sparkling lagoon pool that stretches on forever, surrounded by lush gardens and a sweet littler series of waterways and bridges that snake around the resort.
You can’t help but gasp when you arrive.
The Rooms
There’s a wide range of rooms available to suit whatever kind of holiday you’re embarking on – from studio rooms, to one/two or three bedroom apartments, villas, swim-out apartments or plunge pool apartments.
I was a lucky duck and checked into one of the penthouse apartments – and immediately felt guilty that my family were back in Auckland. I had a full two-bedroom apartment to myself, with a large bathroom, full kitchen, living room, laundry and deck. PLUS, an entire upstairs living area which included a private spa pool and BBQ area. This area was accessible from a spiral staircase on the balcony – the first day I poked my head up and assumed it was a shared space, until I realised it was all for me. It is… glorious?! On some evenings, I could look out across all the villas and see families running around, laughing and playing on their rooftops, while the parents turned over sausages on the BBQ.
On one of my walks around the property I spotted a family who were perched in one of the swim-out apartments and they looked to be having a ball. These rooms feature a balcony with outdoor couches and tables that lead to a security gate – on the other side is a pair of sun-lounges and then you’re straight into one of the little swimable waterways that lead through to the main pool. I started to understand how this resort could be so full, yet so quiet – there are so many different spaces for families, and couples, to spread out.
The Location
The Sea Temple sprawls over four-hectares, right next to Four Mile Beach. Interestingly, you can’t actually see the beach from the resort – nor can you see the resort from the beach. There’s a strict ‘palm tree rule’ in place, meaning no building is allowed to be constructed higher than the tallest palm tree – plus, development isn’t allowed to stretch right to the water’s edge. This means you can walk along the Four Mile Beach – a beautiful strip of white sand, blue water and swaying palm trees – and have absolutely no inkling that you’re not far from some of the town’s biggest resorts including the massive Pullman Sea Temple, or nearby Sheraton Grand Mirage.
The beach is gorgeous – but this is croc-territory, so be careful! Crocodiles are at their most active at dawn and dusk, so checking out the beach or rivers at this time is not recommended. Likewise swimming at Four Mile beach, unless it’s being patrolled and the flags are up for you to swim between. In summer the issue is stingers – who thankfully disappear completely in the winter months – but crocodiles are an issue year-round.
The resort is a 10-minute drive from town – there’s a handy shuttle bus that can take you though. It’s $10 for a return ticket, or you can buy a one-day pass for $26 or three-days for $56 which gets you unlimited rides. There’s a phone available in reception to call the shuttle (there’s never one far away), or you need only go into one of the shops or eateries in town and they’ll call one for you.
The Facilities
Besides that incredible pool, there’s a decent fitness centre and spa on-site. There’s also fab dining choices – Aluco is the main restaurant, offering fab views across the lagoon pool (it looks particularly stunning in the evening with tiki torches glowing). It blends the fresh tastes of Tropical North Queensland with a Mediterranean flair.
It’s also where you can head for breakfast – the buffet is certainly not to be missed. There’s a full hot and cold buffet available featuring English and Asian selections – plenty of tropical fruits, smoothies, pasteries and custom-made omlettes. I’m gluten-free and there was plenty to choose from – plus the helpful staff were only too willing to cater for any dietaries. They do a mean flat white too.
A Commitment to Sustainability
One of the things I was really blown away by in Port Douglas is the entire town’s commitment to sustainability. The area (including the wider Douglas Shire) became the world’s first certified ECO destination in 2019 and from everything I saw, this Pullman is certainly doing its bit.
It’s the only beachfront property in town to hold Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainability Tourism Certification. There’s a considerable effort made to reduce plastic (they’ve removed single-use amenities like combs and toothbrushes from the rooms and single-use plastics. There’s on-site water refill stations, bamboo key cards and the resort’s restuarants prioritize locally-sourced, organic ingredients to reduce food miles and support local farmers. As guests you’re encouraged to do your bit (It’s likely you already are – Booking.com’s annual research report this year found that 79% of Kiwi travellers say sustainable travel is important to them) and you’re rewarded for doing so. For every day I skipped house-keeping service and having my linens changed, I got a $20 room credit. I didn’t miss having this service at all, but I did enjoy my bonus, free icy-cold Mojito while stretched out on a lounger by the pool each afternoon!
Alice was a guest of Booking.com – all opinions are her own.
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