Hotel Review: Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa
There comes a time in everyone’s life when 3-4 star accommodation just doesn’t cut it, you want, no- NEED, the epitome of luxury. Whether it’s a honeymoon, an overdue holiday or as in my case, a babymoon, you want to experience the best.
For me, getaways beyond the local park will soon become rare. So, as I approach the calm before the nappy storm, I decide that I am not diving into motherhood without a mother of a holiday. So we decide to book a stay at the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa.
THAT pool
Mr LML and I are greeted with a big tropical hug as we step into the resort’s striking reception. Lush gardens, breezy fans and a glimpse of THAT pool set the scene for what’s to come as we check into our two bedroom plunge pool apartment.
This isn’t just a nice hotel room with a view; this oversized apartment is bigger than most homes! We go from room to room, drooling over the stylish furniture, decked out kitchen, enormous TV and spa bath.
There’s a unique, personalised touch here that makes us feel a little warm and fuzzy inside, but that could also be the tropical climate.
The Pièce de résistance has to be the private courtyard with direct access to the resort’s magnificent 3,000 square metre pool. It’s even warm even after sunset – perfect for cheeky night dips.
Having been in the apartment for less than five minutes, we couldn’t fight the pool’s overwhelming magnetism any longer. We jump into the refreshing water directly from our patio and stay until after sunset. The sheer size of the pool is incredible and we explore the majority of the resort by swimming around the lagoon- why walk when you can swim? We stumble across the spa in a hidden corner and it’s as if we’ve discovered an uncharted volcanic hot spring. Before we decide to spend the rest of our holiday in the spa, we pour ourselves back into the lagoon and pay the pool bar a visit for some essential sustenance, AKA cocktails and nibbles.
Gourmet feedsHaving enjoyed our pre-dinner drinks by the pool, we head to the Aqua Restaurant for a gourmet a la carte dinner. Mr LML opts for the seafood curry with juicy prawns and succulent scallops. I can’t go past a good steak on a bed of flawless mash. This deliciousness is served by friendly staff that cater to our every whim. Good service is the perfect accompaniment to any good meal, don’t you agree?
Personalised spa tranquillityThe resort’s Vie Spa is a sanctuary providing personalised care. My therapist Katharina carefully selects products and a massage bed that’s baby bump friendly.
Katharina begins the body treatment with a soothing back massage. She then lathers on an organic coconut body scrub that transports me to a remote island somewhere far away. I then wash the scrub off in the most amazing shower. I’m talking multiple, enormous shower heads from all directions. Not wanting to single-handedly push the country back into drought, I reluctantly turn the uber-shower off and continue my treatment with a soul soothing scalp massage. At this stage a baby’s bottom has nothing on my smooth, glowing skin.
In my white robe, I’m taken to the relaxation room for some vanilla rooibos tea and heavenly coconut sorbet. Enough said.
Exploring Port DouglasAbout an hour from Cairns airport, Port Douglas is Australia’s tropical wonderland. The perfect base to explore the world heritage Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest.
You also can’t go past the infamous Great Barrier Reef. Loads of day tours are available and we opt for the 1 day low isles adventure which allows us to snorkel, swim, relax on the white sand and cruise on a glass bottom boat. We see turtles, lemon sharks and all sorts of intriguing fish and coral. We also enjoy a tropical buffet which includes seafood and fruit to top it all off.
| Top tip: Between November and March jellyfish are out and about. Make sure you don a swanky stinger suit to protect you from nasties. The suit comes with the added benefit of air conditioning when wet and protects from the sun, so you won’t have to keep re-applying the SPF 50. Win, win! |
If you’re looking for something a little different, go for a dining experience with a twist. The flames of the forest dining experience dishes up a six course gourmet dinner beneath a tranquil rainforest canopy. Perfectly romantic!
Saying goodbye to paradise
Leaving the pool, I mean Port Douglas, is a tad emotional for me. How does one say goodbye to paradise? When will my next fancy holiday be? While I can’t answer these questions, what I can say is, I’m glad I trusted the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa with my once in a lifetime babymoon. The memories gained here will surely keep me going for many months ahead…until we meet again.
I have to visit the Great Barrier Reef.