We stayed at Thala for 5 days in early February. We were given a complementary fruit drink on arrival and were upgraded to an ocean view cabin. We had a wonderful time. The cabins are spread out throughout the property and you're actually in a rain forest. The cabins were very nicely decorated and had a deck facing the ocean. The bathroom had both a shower and tub. There were candles and fresh anthurium flowers. The beach was amazing. There were coconut palm trees along the shore so you could sit in a shady spot. Unfortunately the stingers were in so we couldn't swim off the beach. Our package included breakfast which included fresh fruits, pastries, breads, yogurts, cheese, meats, coffee/tea. You could also order from the menu for an additional charge.The dining area and lobby were open to the outside and very nicely decorated with fresh flower arrangements. There were many sitting areas, a bar, game tables. They booked a Great Barrier Reef snorkle tour for us on Silversonic which was amazing. The grounds are beautiful and they have free nature, bird, coconut walks which were very well done and very informative.

My husband and myself spent a week in Thala Beach Lodge in December and we
cannot recommend it highly enough for anyone who would like to spend time
in complete peace and tranquility. As we were on honeymoon in Australia it
was the perfect place to begin our holiday. The lodge and accommodation is
amazing and the scenery is only breathtaking. The food is outstanding and
the view from the restaurant is amazing. Johan and his staff were simply
fantastic and nothing was too much trouble for them. A definite 10/10

I work for one of the 5 star hotels in Cairns, QLD and working for such a great company my hotel expectations are very high. Thala Beach Lodge is so stunning, the location, the views, the rooms, pool area & food were great. I recommend the lodge to all my guests at work as my partner and I had such a fantastic stay. The only this is that if you are scared of Australia wildlife, ask for a room closer to reception as you have to walk a little bit to the ocean view rooms- worth the view though. Thanks for a great stay :)

So...after reading the hundreds of amazing reviews of previous vistors, I guess I went with extra high expectations. We were booked in an Eucalypt Bungalow for 3 nights and I was pleased that on check-in we were upgraded to a Coral bungalow - good start. We were in room 3 for the first night which had some sea views. The room itself was pretty standard and the facilities were what I expected to be available.(Was this an upgrade??)

We moved rooms after the 1st night as there was a hot water issue. We were placed in room 39 which was much closer to the reception and had a more panoramic ocean view. The rooms were the same inside and I would say they both did feel a little tired.

We had a hire car which I believe is essential (Unless you want to mess around using shuttle buses) to get around as the hotel is 15min drive south of Port Douglas. Ate at the hotel restaurant on the 2nd night and was really not impressed with the cusine and the price. We had eaten at Bucci Resturant on Port Douglas main street on the 1st night for much cheaper and far superior quality, definately recommend a visit there. We returned there for the 3rd nights meal.

The staff levels of service and general upbeat friendliness (even after the resort experienced some wild weather on 2nd night, felling trees left, right and centre) was excellent at all times (especially Amee and Rose on the front desk).

Thala has lots of fauna..the wrong type. I know this is far north Queensland and its an eco lodge but this hotel has a massive ant problem. They are everywhere, big greenbacked ants that bite. On the second day my car was retrieved by the valet and there was ants all over it. I drove into town, opened the boot only to find 2 ants nests had been created overnight in the drainage sills. I spent 1.5 hours of my holiday killing ants. Ants are a big problem in this hotel.

Mosquitos are everywhere in restaurant/bar, the hotel provides free aeroguard spray in these areas. This is to be expected somewhat as it is the tropics.

Cane toads are everywhere, I dont mind them and they are to be expected in Queensland but once again a 5* hotel cannot have cane toads everywhere.

I guess my point is the hotel claims itself to be 5* and an 'eco' lodge and its for that reason it cannot be 5*. Sure it may have the ticked the boxes and met the criteria for 5* status on facilities available but the whole experience is not 5*. I have stayed in many 'eco'' lodges in Costa Rica, very similar to Thala and they are what they are...lots of flora and fauna....not 5* luxury resort like so many reviews and their website state.

Stay here for the wildlife/'eco'/part of nature experience(if you're too old to go camping), the remote/secluded/quiet experience, good views (of ocean) and excellent service.

Don't expect 5* luxury.

For the price, I'll be checking out Peppers in Port Douglas next time.

Service 5*
Hotel 3.5*
Restaurant :(