With summer here I am looking forward to:

Author: Josh O'Neill

Saray’i Resort and Spa at Palm Cove is a magnificent boutique hotel, 30km north of Cairns, offering privacy, romance, and the ultimate getaway experience.

Whether you just need a break from Cairns or are travelling from the other side of the world, Saray’i (the Palace of the Great Barrier Reef) offers a friendly and gay-welcoming experience with accommodation that will suit any budget.

Taner Dengiz is the auspicious owner of this unique establishment and as my partner and I entered the magnificent foyer we were immediately greeted with both a heart felt welcome and genuine pleasure to see us.

The entrance to Saray’i transports you to a time long past, blending a mixture of modern and times forgotten. The mixture of contemporary and bygone artefacts, high ceilings and space can only be described as grand. The tour desk was able to offer us a vast range of packages and was able to arrange them for us at a discounted price. With the week my partner and I had just survived we thought that quiet relaxation was more appropriately on the cards.

A very ‘Greta Garbo’ staircase led us to our suite which was well appointed with air-conditioning, a spa bath, and separate bedroom with the most wonderful Turkish bedspread. A compact kitchenette with all utensils supplied made it fully self-contained and was joined to a comfortable lounge with telephone, informative condominium and TV and movie facilities. Oft the lounge a large balcony looked out across passers-by, beautiful lawns and onwards to the rich blue of the Pacific Ocean lapping enticingly at the shore.

On the roof is a lavish rooftop swimming pool and spa area with magnificent mountain views and an outdoor entertainment area overlooking the ocean and nearby islands.

After a relaxing spa bath and a spot of TV, my partner and I decided to investigate the restaurants and shops in Pam Cove. The walk along the Esplanade was soothing to the soul and relaxing to the mind. An array of shops and award winning restaurants nestle among the beach area and offer amazing views of the ocean, with its rich blues and small white cap breakers.

After so much relaxing it was time to indulge in one of our favourite pastimes; yes that is right, dining. The restaurant (Neptune’s) at Saray’i flows from the foyer and offers intimate dining with a perfect view of the palms and beach coupled with gentle ocean breezes. As the waves lapped on the shore we were embraced by the soothing sounds of a local pianist, playing solo in the dining area. It has been many years since I have experienced the beauty of a piano being played in a restaurant, guess I just never go to the right places.

The friendly staff buzzed around the tables and other diners laughed and smiled, adding to the atmosphere of the restaurant.  Our dinner included one of the most magnificent seafood platters I have been lucky to experience the fact that all of the seafood was local was pleasing. We were regularly asked by our attractive waiter if everything was to our liking. He was constantly attentive but never intrusive.

After such fine dining we retired to the outside area to enjoy the company of our host, Taner. Taner is a man with amazing insight and a tenacious thirst for knowledge and enjoyment of life. After spending years as a diplomat and travelling the world he chose Palm Cove as the ultimate destination based on quality of life and his passion for the sea. He has taken on the challenge of changing what was your typical style motel; recreating and transforming it into what has to one of the most unique places you will ever visit. Taner shared with us his views on life and the conversation was easy and interesting. His philosophies were simple and modern and this man showed an extremely gentle side to his nature which assured us of his genuinely gay welcoming nature.

Our time spent in Palm Cove surrounded by wonderful people, fantastic food, and luxurious facilities ensured the hustle and bustle of our lives was forgotten for that period of time and we were embraced by genuine and honest folk.

If your passion is to share the same type of hospitality and genuinely gay welcoming experience as my partner and I did then I cannot recommend the Saray’i at Palm Cove highly enough

Accommodation details:

Choose from:
1 Bedroom Executive Suite $250 per double per night
1 Bedroom Ocean View Suite $220 per double night
1 Bedroom Mountain View with Spa Bath Suite $185 per double per night
Superior Studio $150 per double per night
Garden Studio $130 per double per night

Free car parking is available at the rear of the hotel. Room rates are for 1-2 persons, extra persons $20 per person (fee for rollaway or single bed).
Reception hours are 8.30am – 5pm.  Late arrivals can ring the caretaker for entry.

For more information contact:
Saray’i
Palm Cove, Queensland, Australia
Phone: +61 7 4055 3734
www.sarayi.com.au