My husband and I stayed at peppers 4 yrs ago and recently returned for a 4 day break between christmas and new years. The resort was full but the only time you really saw a lot of people was at dinner (which were lovely - we would recommend the stoney peak shiraz cabernet to go with any meal).
We stayed in a cabin and it was still as lovely as last time - though don't expect a TV, telephone or wifi. Staff were friendly and helpful from start to finish.
We booked a DB&B basis which was well worth it as all we needed to pay for was lunch (if you can fit it in after a big breakfast) and drinks.
We managed to miss some pretty bad weather passing over QLD which was great.
Hope to return again.

Had a blissful 4 nights at Peppers Palm Bay. I was discussing with my wife whether the service you get at Asian resorts (Chedi etc) was achievable in Australia. I reckon that Peppers Palm Bay is as close as it gets. Target market is definitely couples, as a result everyone keeps themselves to themselves. The food was very good with only one disappointing dish. The cocktails are fantastic, especially the liquid desserts. This would be the perfect long weekend romantic getaway.

Spent 6 nights at the Peppers Palm Bay. The staff are truly excellent and attention to detail is indeed 1st class. This place is is THE ideal honeymoon resort.

It is expensive and you are a 'captured audience' but hey it is well worth the extra cash.

The main asset is the staff - Pauley, Verity, Joe, Alex, Yasmine, Jen, Amanda and Chris (special mention to Chris - as a front of house person in the restaurant you know how to ensure the dining guests are treated well (the Limoncello and the Baileys was well appreciated).

But lets not forget the other staff who cleaned the rooms to an exceptional standard, the ground keepers, the boatmen etc. All were fantastic.

We had a blissfully relaxing time. Other reviewees have mentioned the 'March Flies' Yes they were annoying but not the staff's' fault. You are after all in the middle of the Great Barrier reef/rainforest and surrounded by bush turkeys, parrots, wallabies, curlews and sadly march flies but hey they were their first. Best advice is to swat them with the menus or even better engage in a 'killing tally' with your fellow guests to see who can exterminate the most. The biggest issue was at breakfast and I think the hotel should put up temporary screening. They have done so in the laundry ! so why not the breakfasting area.

Notwithstanding, we loved this place and hopefully we will return some day.

Great things, and poor things. Will start with poor items.

Interesting Stay during October 2010. Staff are very friendly and always helpful, although a couple staff who I presume were new were still learning the ropes but not concerned by that (simple things like plates not available from continental breakfast buffet, forgotten orders, no labels on the different milk types...).

Sand / March Flies were a pain in the butt. Unfortunately, breakfast / lunch area is in an open air building so no protection there and the repellant only works a little bit. Would much prefer eating a meal in peace from biting critters.

No clocks. Anywhere! I didnt take a watch as I wanted to relax, but obviously meals are served between specific times. Dinner is seated at a specific time to allow for better service (no issue with that). But without a clock in the room or at reception, means guessing or harrassing staff for the time. Alarm clocks were available upon request however. Simple fix to this would be one large wall clock sitting in the reception area. Would make life a bit easier.

Meals were good and bad. Not sure if there were multiple chefs during my stay. Ordered beef on second and third night. Second night, girlfriend ordered medium rare, I ordered medium. Hers arrived medium well and mine quite well done. Waitress never returned to see how meals were. (See next point on wine service) Third night, gf ordered paella and I thought i would try beef again. Once again, extremely overcooked and this time i returned it. It came out cooked properly the second time, but was so tough to eat, i had about 4 mouthfuls before giving up.

Breakfast, most items done well, although standard eggs (ordered by gf) came out a little crispy and overcooked (with burnt oil underneath the egss on the plate) and scrambled eggs had no flavour / seasoning at all. Yet Omelette / riveira (sic) were quite nice. French toast wasnt quite what was expected, but still ok.

Perhaps its just me, but when I order wine, I prefer it to sit within reaching distance in an ice bucket next to the table (or on the table if red). Peppers staff always take the wine away to a communal ice bucket and you have to wait for wait staff to poor the next glass. On second night, the waitress was always slow in returning to the table, hence not able to take issue with the steaks that were served, and always waiting for refills.

Now for the good things.

Staff are amazing and always try to be helpful. The staff issue above were from what appeared to be 2 newer staff and still learning, hence not going to hold their teething issues against them. Questions / tours / bar service always responsive.

Rooms were very nice. We were in a bungalow. Beds comfortable, serviced daily (although I dont think the mini bar is checked regularly as the soft drink cans were pretty much at expiry date). A little disconcerting that footpaths go straight past the front doors / windows and can see directly into rooms unless curtains are drawn (and cutting off the view).

View is fantastic from the rooms, with most rooms looking out straight onto the beach.

Wildlife!!! Wallabies / bush turkeys and birds (and bats at night). Whilst there, one of the local birds (flightless) had babies so dinner time was interesting to watch one adult bird look after the chicks whilst the other ran off to find food and bring it back for the chicks.

Ability to relax as it is quiet (with no kids) is perfect. Small number of guests and not catering for kids makes it worthwhile. Ability for quick transfers via helicopter is quite handy.

Suggestions for improvements if management reads this. Fly screens around the breakfast area, and tinted / one way glass on the accomodation so people in rooms can maintain some privacy without having to give up the views that have been paid for.

Would likely return, but not until after a couple of trips to other resorts in the area for a fun time instead of a relaxed / retreat type holiday.