Port Douglas is about renting spectacular houses, and the people you need to know are Hans & Wendy van der Wolf of Executive Retreats - they live here - it's their world. Wendy can arrange anything from cooks to beauty therapists.
There is a Sheraton Mirage Resort - avoid unless desperate.
Silky Oaks in the Rainforest isn't imaginative but it does have a nice new spa.
Port Douglas is about renting spectacular houses, and the people you need to know are Hans & Wendy van der Wolf of Executive Retreats (tel: 00 61 7 40981418; www.executiveretreats.com.au) they live here - it's their world. Wendy can arrange anything from cooks to beauty therapists.
Their best houses include:
Shambhala. Faultless. 1,215 pounds for five nights.
Bali Hai. Has it's own butterfly-filled garden and passion fruit orchards. Cooling rapids in the river at the bottom of the garden. Good for families. From 205 pounds a night.
Shangri - La. Stone -walled Provencal design with views of the Daintree Mountains. A sanctuary from 165 pounds a night.
Beach Villa 5 on Four Mile Beach. A great spot to be in town. From 160 pounds a night.
The Beach House on Oak Beach. Full - on beach life with an outside Miele kitchen and home theatre. From205 pounds a night.
Wendy can also organise Cockatoo Hill, a four-lodge retreat near Cape Tribulation with wraparound views of the Cape and the Coral Sea. Lodges from 270 pounds for two nights.