Reviewed By:
Andrea
Travel Date:
We stayed at the Novotel resort in Palm Cove, FNQ. We had a
great family holiday with our two children aged 2 and 4. The Novotel boasts the
only Qld accredited child care centre within its grounds in the area and offers
half day and full day care for under 5s throughout the year from Monday to
Friday (I think there was a Kids Club as well but it only operated during school
holidays). Best to book the creche/day care in advance, even before you arrive.
If you arrive on the weekend and expect to get the kids booked in Monday
morning, you may not be so lucky!
The toddler's pool and the main pool are connected via a
crocodile slide which was a big hit with the kids. However, two adults really
need to supervise young kids at the pool area as it was difficult to find one
vantage point where we could watch one up at the toddler pool and the other in
the lower pool at the bottom of the slide.
The resort is low-rise and quite spread out. Our accommodation
was some way from the main buildings and if we were going back, we'd request a
unit (self-contained) much closer to the main buildings. While it might have
been a short 5 minute walk for couples, it took us around 15 minutes with two
children.
The Palm Cove beach is a short walk from the resort (15 mins
with children). There is a fenced playground at the top of the beach where
parents can watch the kids play while sipping their cappucino bought from the
cafe just across from the playground. The Novotel's creche hires out great carts
for kids. The carts are a 4 wheel drive version of the Little Tikes Flinstones
type cars hired out at some shopping centres - modified so an adult can push.
These were great for getting from the Novotel down to the beach area.
If we were to go again, we would become members of the
Advantage Plus card from the Novotel. It gives 50% off dining when 2 adults dine
at any of their restaurants (and the buffets are really good for taking kids
where under 4s dine for free). Other benefits are 20% off accommodation, 6 x 50%
off discount accommodation vouchers and one nights free accommodation. The cost
of the card is $214.50. Aside from the accommodation benefits, the card would be
worthwhile for families who dined in the buffet restaurant for most meals.
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