Rydges Reef Resort Reviews

On arrival we waited a long time for our room to be made available, when we finally saw the room it had a shaby interior and fittings also 'creatures' nesting on the balcony. We complained to reception staff verbally and then in writing using the Impressions Booklet provided within the room. I asked to be moved and was given a negative reaction from hotel staff. We were given a chance to upgrade, at an addition cost, after much haggling. Kuoni gave us little support and we felt stranded. The resort needs refurbishing but on the plus side the Pool Bar served good food but please avoid the Indian restaurant on site as this is dire!

You must go on the Shaolin Junk trip to the Barrier Reef, the staff are amazing and the trip is different to the normal!
Good food to be had in Port Douglas Marina with various types of restaurant choices.
Would we go to Port Douglas again? Yes but not to Rydges Reef Resort!!

There is a choice of accomodation at the Rydges,which is hotel rooms or self contained villas. We stayed in the villas. They were very spacious and clean. Ours was a two bedroom villa on two floors.Downstairs there is a lounge with television, DVD player etc, a fully equipped kitched with dishwasher, microwave, washing machine and tumble dryer and a shower and toilet. Upstairs there are two bedrooms and a full bathroom. The villas are set in tropical gardens which are beautiful.

It was extremely hot in Port Douglas and my only criticism was that the villa's only has air conditioning in the two bedrooms which made the whole downstairs quite UNBEARABLE .There was one ceiling fan for the whole downstairs!). The upstairs bathroom was just so hot it was a case of have a shower and quickly get in to the airconditioned bedroom. This was a shame because the place is beautiful, the staff are friendly and helpful and the swimming pools are good.They have serveral restaurants on the complex which were all very good. The air conditioning was also very noisy in our villa which meant if you had it on at night you couldnt sleep but if you turned it off you got so hot you couldnt sleep either.

Port Douglas is really picturesque, lots of tropical plants and palm trees. We visited a crocodile farm which was great. We also went croc spotting on the river that was brilliant. The highlight of our trip was the Great Barrier Reef. We went with Quicksilver (which is the best), so well organised. When you get out to the floating platform on the reef there is so much you can do. Snorkel, scuba dive, take a trip on the semi-sub go to the viewing platform, sunbathe. They serve a lovely seafood buffet included in the price. They even have a post box on the platform which allows you to send a postcards from the only post box on the great barrier reef.We also visited Kurranda via the skyrail and train and went to an aboriginal show. Port Douglas is a really lovely place with beautiful scenery, lovely harbour and friendly people.

The Rydges was a lovely place to stay. If the villas were fully airconditioned it would be a perfect place to stay.