A family holiday staying at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas to celebrate a milestone birthday provides a memorable five-star base from which to explore Tropical North Queensland.
Part of the Marriott group, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort is located within Australia’s first eco-certified destination where two UNESCO World-Heritage sites converge: the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. The hotel spans a footprint of 147 hectares, and includes frontage to Four Mile Beach and the Coral Sea, two hectares of lagoons and nine pools, tropical gardens, and an 18-hole golf course.
Its location greatly appealed to me as I wanted to take my kids to Tropical North Queensland so that they could experience these World Heritage sites – but I also sought the comforts and relaxation one can find at a five-star resort – where I aimed to celebrate my milestone birthday in style.
Check-in and beyond
I hired a car from DriveAway that I collected at Cairns airport. The hotel does provide a bus shuttle service to the main streets of Port Douglas every 10 minutes, but I wanted to have mobility to head to the Daintree and other nearby sites.
Upon arrival, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort’s then Director of Marketing, Deb McDiarmid, took us on a hotel tour (since my stay, McDiarmid has been appointed as Marriott International’s Area Director of Marketing, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific).
We were informed about the occasional crocodile that’s been spotted on Four Mile Beach, right out the front, and we were instructed to not walk back along the beach at night in the dark. My 11-year-old son doesn’t quite believe his ears and asks again for clarification.
It’s somewhat quiet in March when we visit, following Tropical Cyclone Jasper earlier this year. Major repair works on the roads leading in from Cairns were still underway at the time of my visit.
With that said, there were still many guests enjoying the facilities at the hotel, and it felt extra special that we’re weren’t here during the peak when I can imagine it is busier, especially in the centre of town.
The rooms
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort has 295 rooms and 55 villas with views of either tropical gardens or the aqua-blue lagoon pools.
I booked to stay in one of the 53 rooms that feature balconies with exclusive swim-up entry, knowing my kids would love to be able to head straight into the water.
My youngest son frequently took off into the lagoon for long stretches, exploring the many nooks and ‘coves’ in the waterway, swimming under bridges and exploring the entire lagoon network.
Our room, with twin double beds, has a calming palette of neutral colours with nothing to compete with the pool views. There’s a lounge area that looks out to the balcony (that also features outdoor seating for two).
Black and white historic photos of scenes from Tropical North Queensland hang on the wall. The windows are framed with white sliding timber louvre blinds that provide blockout from the pool area when needed.
There’s also a mini bar area and fridge, a generously-sized desk, two separate wardrobes, and a mid-sized bathroom with a large shower and full-size amenity pump bottles. There’s no bathtub and the vanity storage space is somewhat limited.
The robes are a sensible lightweight cotton, ideal for the tropics.
Of course, my teens connect to WiFi before I can even place my bags down… it all worked seamlessly throughout the stay.
Food and drink
There are seven restaurants and bars to choose from, including fine-dining restaurant, Harrisons by Spencer Patrick – where we dine for my birthday. It is the most nationally-awarded restaurant in Port Douglas and I’m happy with my choice to celebrate here.
A poolside Lagoon House Restaurant opened in April 2023 and features an open kitchen and an Asian-inspired menu. The kids look forward to the buffet breakfast each morning at Feast where there’s a wide variety of cuisine available.
On my birthday afternoon, we enjoy a ‘Taste of the Tropics’ high tea in the Daintree Bar, sampling a selection of savoury and sweet bites including sandwiches, a Port Douglas prawn cocktail, fritters, scones, panna cotta and more. I have a glass of champagne while the kids order from the mocktail menu that includes a forest mule, passionfruit blitz and the tropical heaven.
The Palms Lobby cafe is a handy place to grab a light snack or a coffee as you’re getting ready for the day or if you need an afternoon pick-up.
Private, in-room dining is available 24 hours a day.
The extras
The Resort has a ‘Virtual Concierge’ that is accessible via mobile devices. It gives guests a central source of updated information about the resort and allows you to book ancillary items including cabanas, amenities and gifts.
I love that our beach towels are regularly updated, knowing that the kids are swimming regularly.
I appreciate the beautiful gardens and grounds that are incredibly well maintained.
The cabana drinks service is fabulous, with my cocktail delivered by a friendly staff member.
My kids love the outdoor ping pong table, and the indoor pool table (big thank you to Duty Manager, Dexter, for teaching my youngest how to play). I really enjoy viewing the artworks on display from a local gallery, including some Slim Aarons prints from the 1960s.
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort offers a range of Signature Experiences Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy where guests are invited to be citizen scientists as they join a local marine biologist to collect, sort and catalogue debris from Four Mile Beach – all in conjunction with Tangaroa Blue Foundation. Unfortunately my trip didn’t coincide with this experience, but I can imagine it’s a great activity for families to do together.
I love the subtle, pale shade of pink of the hotel’s exteriors, maintained since its 1987 opening.
Facilities
The Mirage Country Club features an 18-hole golf course, aquatic driving range, air-conditioned fitness centre, three tennis courts, a 25-metre lap pool and Pro Shop.
We spend the bulk of our time at the resort enjoying the swimming pools which I’m so pleased to hear have been part of an extensive AUD$7.16 million pool relining upgrade, employing eco-friendly materials and high-tech pool filters that has led to a significant reduction in freshwater consumption across the resort’s nine pools.
Wellness
I didn’t have any treatments during my stay but the resort includes the Kaia Day Spa located at the Sunbird Village. The spa has a specific focus on facial technology-based treatments. It has two couples treatment rooms, and four single treatment rooms.
The verdict
I would certainly recommend this hotel to anyone wanting to have a five-star, secure base while exploring Port Douglas and the nearby attractions of Tropical North Queensland.
With past celebrity guests including the likes of George Clooney, John Travolta, Clint Eastwood, Jerry Seinfeld and President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, I felt like I was in ‘good company’.
We spotted expectant couples enjoying a babymoon, couples on their honeymoon, young families, multi-generational families and retirees all enjoying the various zones on offer.
With the resort occupying such an extensive footprint, it also felt like there were sufficient areas for all types of travellers to have just the kind of holiday they’re seeking.
The details
Address: 168-190 Port Douglas Road
Port Douglas, Queensland
Room type: Deluxe Guest Room, 2 Double with Large Lagoon Pool Access
Check in: 3pm
Check-out: 11am
Rates: Prices for a Deluxe Guest Room, 2 Double with Large Lagoon Pool Access start from AUD$609 per room, per night
marriott.com
The writer stayed at her own expense.
