8 Best Hotels in Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

With the town's small beach at its doorstep, three eateries and bars downstairs, and the main street directly behind it, this hotel makes a comfy and convenient base. The modern rooms and spacious suites have free Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, bar fridges, and tea/coffee-making facilities; most open onto big balconies overlooking the palm-lined waterfront or town. You can also stay in smaller, ground-level motel-style rooms. There's a nice pool, a guest laundry, and a tour desk on-site.

The sociable public areas at this family-friendly complex include a lovely lagoon pool, a guest laundry, and the terrific Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant & Bar. The main complex offers simple but spacious double, family, and studio rooms, some with balconies. The second-floor rooms are quieter, if you don't mind lugging your bags upstairs. Across the road are two- and three-bedroom apartments that are slightly more modern and larger and have their own, more private pool, internal laundries, and fully equipped kitchens.

A handful of simple but comfortable, solar-powered cabins sit among rambutan, mangosteen, and breadfruit trees on this 40-hectare exotic fruit farm. Each cabin has an en suite bathroom, insect screens, and a veranda with rain forest and mountain views. Three are air-conditioned—though as cooling breezes blow off Mount Sorrow, you may not need it. In the central farmhouse are a guest lounge, kitchen, and laundry. There is also a communal kitchen with a wood-fired pizza oven for guests' use and a shed full of free coconuts (if you can crack them). Commune with fellow guests around the nightly campfire, and wake to a chorus of birdsong.

With a terrific location in Townsville’s liveliest bar-restaurant precinct, this stylish, secure, and spotless hotel-apartment complex has everything you need: chic, well-appointed accommodation; a clean pool and terrific gym; business center; accommodating staff; and charge-back arrangements with local eateries. Air-conditioned “Superior King” rooms have minibars, work desks, high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with free cable channels, and small, furnished balconies. One- and two-bedroom apartments are more spacious, with artfully lit, classily designed lounge and dining areas, full kitchens, washer-dryers, and bigger furnished balconies overlooking Palmer Street and the city. The helpful front desk/concierge/tour desk, open 24/7, can arrange reef trips, transfers, room service, and restaurant bookings.  Pay a little extra for a higher-floor apartment overlooking Palmer Street if you value views.

The clean, spacious, self-contained studios at this friendly low-rise motel just outside of town make it a practical base for those who don't mind a short walk or cycle to Port Douglas's center. The studios come with fridges, microwaves, tea/coffeemaking facilities, and a minibar with milk and soft drinks, replenished daily. All are air-conditioned, with kitchenettes, desks, ceiling fans, free Wi-Fi, cool tile floors, and small patios. There's a spotless guest laundry, lovely tropical gardens, a free-form heated pool and bikes for guests' use. Continental breakfasts can be delivered to your door. Lazy Lizard is conveniently close to the beach, town, bars, and restaurants, but far enough away to be a restful retreat.

The smartly configured studios and suites at this hotel are a five-minute walk from Palmer Street's bar and dining precinct, and an easy stroll across the footbridge from Flinders Street and the ferry port. Podlike accommodations are long and narrow but cleverly designed, with laundries, compact kitchens, and work desks. All have balconies and fast Wi-Fi. There are some useful guest facilities, too: a small gym, an outdoor pool, a business center, and free on-site parking. Don't expect five-star service, but if you're looking for a good base, this ticks the right boxes.

The hotel and studio rooms, apartments, and penthouse suites at waterfront Blue on Blue are stylishly designed, with high-end entertainment systems, luxe amenities, and balconies overlooking the ferry port, pool, or the island's private marina. Apartments and penthouses also have full kitchen and laundry facilities. There are two lagoon pools, a restaurant serving Mod Oz fare, and a full-service day spa. Nearby are shops, eateries, water-sports outlets, a marina-front boardwalk, and a supermarket. It's a 20-minute walk (or bus ride) to Alma Beach.

Overlooking Abel Point Marina, this meticulously run B&B has everything you need: stupendous marina views, charming hosts, and terrific gourmet breakfasts, often accompanied by colorful chirping parrots. The three open-plan suites are tastefully outfitted with terra-cotta-tile floors, en suite bathrooms, cedar blinds, and ceiling fans. The larger East and West suites also include lounges and well-equipped kitchens. All have panoramic views from their patios. The house is surrounded by mango and frangipani trees filled with frolicking lorikeets. Although the host is helpful with regard to local activities, her poolside hammock can sidetrack even energetic guests.