Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore – Hotel Review

Families — and loads of loved-up couples — are flocking to the The Alamanda Palm Cove in Tropical North Queensland. As the only absolute beachfront resort on Palm Cove’s 800-metre tourist strip, the location is premium; not that you’ll be leaving without considerable coaxing. Read on for the full review.

Where is Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore?

A mini-forest of coconut palms is all that stands between you and the sands that meet the Coral Sea here, on the beachfront at Palm Cove about 25 minutes drive north of Cairns. Head to the beach from your room, turn left and stroll along the melaleuca- and palm-shaded boardwalk to an array of restaurants spas, souvenir shops (and a couple of painfully overpriced mini-marts). Wander along the wooden pier to see what local fishermen are reeling in. 

What’s near Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore?

Aside from your own private stretch of beach? Cairns, a popular leaping off point for Great Barrier Reef trips, is about half an hour south by car, while the ancient, Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest is about two hours north.

Room types

Each of the Alamanda’s 69 apartments is generously over-sized (even the one-bedders have two bathrooms) if a smidge safe décor-wise. The floating boards, airy open-plan design and stone kitchen benches were ahead of their time when this place was built in the early ‘90s, so it’s hard to fault the hardware. Most apartments feature an L-shaped built-in sofa (more comfy than it sounds), a fully-equipped, open-plan kitchen and a vast balcony that either looks over two of the resort’s three pools, or across the vast Coral Sea. There’s free wi-fi in all apartments, but thanks to the solid walls, access can be hit and miss in places.

Restaurants and bars

Tell the world you’re going to Palm Cove, then charge a dollar for everyone who says “You must go to Nu Nu!” Fortunately, this award-winning 169-seat restaurant — helmed by Nick Holloway, ex-Pearl in Melbourne — fronts the Alamanda, and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Start the day with a plate of fresh tropical goodness: you'll find it on the menu as ‘the best fruit we can possibly source’, as the rising sun glints through the palms. Nu Nu also offers room service and will deliver meals poolside. What did you do to deserve this?

Spa, pool and gym

L.M. Spa is a haven of solitude and relaxation where the only sounds you’ll hear are lapping waves. Three of the spa’s eight treatment rooms are actually rooftop pergolas, each with a private plunge pool and a view of the sea. Try the ‘Utopia’ treatment: a 30-minute honey sesame body polish, 60-minute body massage and 60-minute facial. (Insider tip: One of the pergolas has outdoor furniture. Check availability with the front desk first, then order a tasting plate from Nu Nu, buy a bottle of wine, and as the warm breeze kisses your cheeks, say farewell to another day in paradise.)

What you need to know

If a tropical wedding has been on your wish-list, check out Alamanda’s picture-perfect chapel. Exchange vows by the glistening Coral Sea, hold your reception under the stars or in the warm sea breeze at Nu Nu, then send friends and family to bed in their Alamanda apartment just metres away. Sigh.

SEE ALSO: The Best Resorts to Book in Cairns