The utterly gorgeous Far North Queensland is one steamy, tropical, and world-class destination for exploring the Great Barrier Reef. The charming Port Douglas overlooking the Coral Sea is the jewel in the crown and is equal parts vivacious and hedonistic. It boasts an ethereal Four Mile beach, a million-dollar marina, and excellent opportunities for scuba diving and snorkeling. What’s more, the small but sophisticated Port Douglas is also immensely gay friendly. In fact, you’ll find good gay accommodation in Port Douglas, including Australia’s only LGBTQIA+ & Allies resort! Despite not having a gayborhood or gay-specific bars, the town has lots of cafes, lounges/bars, and restaurants that more than welcome the LGBTQ set. Also, the gay friendly Cairns which sits an hour south of Port Douglas is also a great place to go exploring the gay scene.
Hence, if you’re gay and heading to Far North Queensland, Port Douglas is where you should go. To that end, here are the top 11 gay hotels in Port Douglas, Australia.
Turtle Cove Beach Resort
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Turtle Cove Beach Resort is, without doubt, the best gay accommodation in Port Douglas. Gay-only, adults-only, and the only LGBTQIA+ & Allies resort in Australia – the resort checks many boxes, and then some. This tropical gay paradise is sprawled out on a private (gay) beach between Port Douglas and Cairns, which is one of the best locations in the world. Whether it’s the setting, the amenities, or the rooms, there’s nothing that isn’t sexy at this beach resort. The best part? This beach resort even has its own beach pride!
For one, it boasts a slew of seriously sensuous facilities, beginning with the heated outdoor pool. Sprinkled with sun loungers and umbrellas, it’s a great place to chill and make eyes at cute and hot people! Furthering the sensuous game is the beach, which is clothing-optional. If you’re keen on working out, then the fitness room should be ideal, followed by a session in the hot tub. Or, you could engage in a friendly round of pool in the game room. Mornings and evenings are best spent at the beachfront restaurant and bar, which serves superb food as well as refreshing cocktails.
When it comes to accommodations, all rooms boast beach views. Besides all modern creature comforts, all rooms are spacious and even feature perks like free drink vouchers, fruits, and water. If you want the ultimate decadent experience, then go for the Absolute Beachfront Suite.
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Oaks Port Douglas
10
Quirky, eclectic, and chic all at once, the gay friendly Oaks is one of the best hip and retro hotels you can find in Port Douglas. Although it lies on the main road to town, it’s a half-an-hour walk. The hotel solves this problem by offering not only free bikes but even a daily shuttle every 15 minutes into and from town!
Vibrant colors and a retro aesthetic is what describes the resort best, the heart of which is a huge lagoon-style pool. What’s more, the entire property is bursting with palms, water features, lily ponds that add to the tropical setting. The extremely inviting outdoor pool is perfect for a swim and a subsequent lounge on the poolside cabanas. If you’re a fitness fan, then the gym, two tennis courts, and the indoor pool will please you immensely. What’s more, there are even rudimentary scuba diving lessons offered in the lap pool. Afterward, head to the day spa and unwind with a massage or a body treatment. Finally, the restaurant and bar are perfect for evening drinks and every meal from breakfast to romantic dinners.
While the entry-level rooms are great, we’d recommend the one/two-bedroom villa with outdoor living rooms and with spa baths on the deck! Nevertheless, all rooms have all modern amenities imaginable, plus sexy perks like satin boxer robes.
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Pink Flamingo Resort
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The Pink Flamingo Resort is the other adults-only gay accommodation in Port Douglas. What’s more, it’s gay-owned as well! The sensational and extremely popular boutique resort lies amidst tropical gardens and around a lagoon pool. A beautiful blend of relaxed, gregarious, and affordable, Pink Flamingo sits on a quiet street a mere 20-minute walk from the main town. It’s hard to miss the Pink Flamingo; the entrance features purple, orange, and pink hues and sculpted palm fronds.
Even though it’s a resort, the scale is smaller, right from the 12 rooms to the amenities. So, you’ll love the cute heated outdoor pool at the resort that’s fringed with lush foliage. Order cocktails from a swim-up honesty bar as you lounge on the cabanas. Afterward, move to the barbecue area in the evenings, where you can grill and chill with your partner or friends. If you’re intrepid, then there’s a gym and free bicycles for exploring the region on your own. If you’re a leisure lad, then borrow from the book, CD, or DVD library and lounge contentedly.
A mere 12 stylish, open-plan garden villas and studios make staying here as intimate as it gets. Besides all modern creature comforts, they even have romantic private garden courtyards with massage cabanas, hammocks, doubled tubs, and outdoor showers. Complimentary sarongs, beach towels, incense candles, and bath salts only add to the sensuous and romantic tone.
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The Mediterranean Port Douglas
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One of the very few gay-owned, operated, and friendly hotels in Port Douglas is the Mediterranean. This modern, boutique apart-hotel complex offers studios and apartments in a tropical garden setting, just a five-minute drive south of town. There’s a lot to love about the Mediterranean. Even though it’s an apart-hotel, it offers a bevy of facilities. The best of the lot is the gorgeous resort pool, which is surrounded by sun loungers, cabanas, and even table-and-chair settings. After a swim, head to the spa for a relaxing massage session along with your partner. In the evenings, the barbeque area comes to life with fellow guests also relaxing and grilling, and is a great place to mingle. During the day, you can also relax on the shaded terrace while ordering cocktails from the bar. Since it’s an apart-hotel, it doesn’t have a restaurant, but there are lots of options nearby.
The best part about this apart-hotel is that it offers all the privacy in the world. With the resort quieting down in the night and parties not allowed, it actually makes for a tranquil and serene Port Douglas getaway. Moreover, all rooms are contemporary and feature a bevy of creature comforts, including modern bathrooms.
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Mai Tai Resort
7
There’s nowhere quite like the Mai Tai Resort, one of the most intimate gay accommodations in Port Douglas. It might have the atmosphere of an informal bed and breakfast, but its adult-only policy makes for an intimate vibe. What’s more, the resort sits atop a mountain in the Australian hinterland and is ensconced by acres and acres of private jungles. While it might feel like it’s away from civilization, the resort is, in fact, a mere 15-minute drive to downtown Port Douglas. Furthermore, it’s gay-owned too!
The setting might be Australian, but the well-decorated lobby will make you feel like you’ve arrived in Bali. Since it functions as a bed and breakfast, you won’t find regular hotel-like facilities. However, there’s a gorgeous saltwater pool fringed with vibrant Balinese flags and cabanas. There’s even a lovely observation deck where you can lounge, as well as a barbeque for enjoying grilling on cooler evenings. The owners can even arrange for on-site massages and provide travel tips for the region as well. While it doesn’t have a restaurant, the place does serve a superb tropical breakfast to kickstart your day.
You can choose from superior/deluxe rooms or the one/two-bedroom executive villas. All of them are decked out beautifully, and feature everything from TVs and coffee/tea making facilities to minibars and simple but elegant bathrooms. Moreover, they even have private outdoor sitting areas, of which some enjoy sweeping views of Port Douglas and the Coral Sea. For the ultimate romantic experience, go for the villas which even have their own private plunge pools.
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Dougies Backpackers Resort
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Usually, the words ‘backpackers’ and ‘resort’ don’t go together. However, the fabulous Dougies Backpackers Resort makes it work. One of the best budget gay hotels in Port Douglas, this hostel is also one of the most popular. So, you can rest assured that every backpacker to Port Douglas will be fighting tooth and nail to secure a bed here – so book early!
There’s a lot to love about this value-for-money resort. For one, it really pulls out all stops with its phenomenal swimming pool and poolside bar. The pool looks like it belongs to a boutique hotel while ordering cocktails from the bar is the best way to chill. It’s also the perfect place for meeting cute strangers and striking interesting conversations. What’s more, the hostel has a slew of other communal hangout places on-site. These include the lounges, the barbeque pits, and the beautiful terrace that’ll make you fall in love with this place. There are even bicycles for hire, so you can explore the neighborhood with your new friends. A shared kitchen and lots of fun daily activities including snorkeling tours and more put this hostel firmly on the map. What’s more, they even offer complimentary breakfasts, as well as lunches and dinners if you don’t want to cook.
Dougies also has one of the most unusual sleeping accommodations ever. Not only does it have two female-only/mixed dorms and two private rooms, but it also offers options for a tent and a bungalow! All spaces are immaculate, even the shared bathrooms. Overall, Dougies is definitely paradise on a budget.
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Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Douglas
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Are you looking for luxurious, gay accommodation in Port Douglas near Four-Mile beach? Then look no further than the Ramada Resort by Wyndham, one of the finest hotels you’ll find in the area. In more ways than one, Ramada is your typically Far North Queensland hotel and is tropical to the T. Think rainforest gardens with lily ponds on-site and palm trees at the entrance. It extends to the interiors too, with the breezy and bright lobby with its rattan/wicker furniture. The cherry on top is that the Four-Mile Beach is a mere 10-minute walk!
Even though it’s an affordable hotel, the Ramada boasts a bevy of facilities. Firstly, there’s a large and well-maintained saltwater swimming pool, complete with a swim-up bar and waterfall! The setting is one for Instagram, complete with an umbrella drink in your hand. The place even has a gym and a business center for those who want to use them. The restaurant is superb and serves all meals, as well as offers room service. The highlight, however, is the day spa, which is one of the few in the area.
With four room types, you can choose from both rooms and apartments, all of which feature great interiors and all standard mod-cons. The apartments also feature a full kitchen, along with shower/tub combinations in the bathrooms. It’s no wonder that Ramada is one of the most popular gay accommodations in Port Douglas.
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Coral Beach Lodge
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Located a mere 10-minute walk from the heart of town is the Coral Beach Lodge, another of the amazing gay hotels in Port Douglas. If you’re looking for a fun hostel for exploring and socializing during the day and enjoying the nightlife at night, then you’ve come to the right place. The hostel sits amidst lush tropical foliage and is a mix of upscale amenities and a laidback setting, making it feel truly like a beach hostel.
For one, it has a superb freeform swimming pool, complete with fun pool floats and loungers for a great time. The bike rentals allow you to explore the town and the stunning Four Mile Beach on your own. The games room and TV room is a fun place to chill during balmy Australian afternoons. Finally, the shared kitchen and the dining area are the perfect places to enjoy complimentary breakfasts, as well as whip up quick and cheap meals for yourself. If that wasn’t enough, the front desk can arrange for all kinds of tours as well.
When it comes to accommodations, you have the choice between female-only/mixed dorms as well as private rooms. Bathrooms, both shared and ensuite, and immaculate.
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Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel
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Beachside location? Check. Right in the heart of Port Douglas? Check. Adults only? Check! There’s more than one reason to love the Peninsula Boutique Hotel, one of the best boutique gay accommodation in Port Douglas. The intimate property sits right on the beach in the heart of town, and is Port Douglas’ only hotel with absolute beach frontage! So, it’s no surprise its very popular with travelers, including LGBTQ ones.
An air of sophistication permeates through the intimate property, which features quite a number of amenities for a town-center hotel. For one, it has a series of tiered and connected swimming pools set amidst lush green gardens. So, the entire place looks like something of a rainforest hideaway. A hot tub to the side and a waterfall add to the soothing and laidback vibe, making it the perfect place to lounge even for an entire day. It’s by the poolside that you also dig into a splendid continental breakfast. Or, you can eat at the hotel’s restaurant, which is a very popular dining spot with locals for its Aussie fare.
Even though it’s a budget hotel, all rooms here feature sea-facing balconies. What’s more, the bathrooms feature two-person spa baths, which is perfect if you’re traveling with your partner. In spite of the more expensive rooms having larger space, all rooms also have everything from espresso machines and minibars to living rooms and kitchenettes. Fruit bowls and fresh flowers are a nice touch.
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Best Western Lazy Lizard Motor Inn
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Don’t be put off by the name; the Best Western Lazy Lizard Motor Inn is one of the best gay hotels in Port Douglas. It’s a practical budget base for those who don’t mind a short 20-minute walk or a five-minute bike ride into the town. The motel punches well above its weight when it comes to its facilities. It’s set on gorgeously green tropical gardens, whose highlight is the freeform saltwater swimming pool and the jacuzzi. It’s the perfect place to relax on your tropical beach vacation. If you want to stretch your legs, then there are also free bikes for your use. The standout is the high-quality continental breakfasts that are delivered right to your door. That’s why it’s such a popular gay accommodation in Port Douglas.
With 22 rooms, this inn really is an intimate place to stay. While they might be simply decked out, the interiors are spotless and feature all practical amenities and creature comforts including minibars! If you’re planning to stay longer, then the studios come with well-equipped kitchenettes. Moreover, all rooms even have small, cute patios and free Wi-Fi.
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Peppers Beach Club
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The Peppers Beach Club is one of the best town center gay accommodations in Port Douglas. The gorgeous property is one of the lushest in the port area, and also amongst the grandest. So, if you’re traveling with your partner, then this property is the perfect romantic escapade in the town. The breezy and light-filled lobby with its soaring ceilings welcomes you within the property. As you walk through the imposing white archways, you encounter the lush manicured gardens.
A highlight at this resort is the huge outdoor pool, around which most of the resort’s structures are clustered. Lounge on the cabanas beside the pool and order cocktails from the swim-up bar. There’s even a small beach right beside the pool. In fact, many of the hotel’s ground-floor rooms have private access to this strip of sand. Plus, there’s also a modern fitness center. However, it’s the Exclusive Spa, which is amongst the region’s finest, that is the standout at Peppers. That, and the exquisite restaurant, round up the amenities at the resort.
Even the entry-level rooms at the resort are known as Spa Suites and, as the name suggests, have spa baths right on the balconies! Naturally, they all have the very best of mod-cons, including marble bathrooms and minibars et al. For the ultimate Peppers experience, choose the units with plunge pools or barbeques.
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Get Some Culture in Port Douglas:
- Hot & Steamy Festival – This is the hottest LGBTQ event in Port Douglas. From pool parties to dance parties, it has everything.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Port Douglas:
- Iron Bar – An amazing restaurant that’s an ode to the Australian outback, it’s famous for its juicy steaks and dance floors.
- Jimmy Rum’s Mixing Lounge – If you’re a fan of creative cocktails, then this is where you should be heading.
Best Gay Saunas in Port Douglas:
- Michael Joseph Body – Did you say male-to-male massage? This is the best one in Port Douglas.
