Underwater suites planned for Port Douglas luxury resort
Port Douglas may see its first mainland underwater hotel rooms if property developer Tim Gurner’s resort plans are approved by council.
Gurner is looking to deliver an ultra-luxury wellness resort, after shelving plans for a serviced apartment and private residence retreat.
Plans for the new $250 million five-star project will include six hotel rooms with views of the Great Barrier Reef and residents will be able to enjoy facilities with a Greek Islands and Saint Tropez beach club feel.
Plans are for a gated community which is being branded as “sensory wellness resort”.
The resort will include 118 resort rooms, including the six underwater suites, 59 lagoon-facing rooms overlooking the central lagoon called “the ocean” and 46 fronting tropical gardens.
High-end hospitality, bars, restaurants and a relaxation offering are to surround the lagoon.
A separate island on the resort can be booked for events.
The design also includes 44 custom-designed three- or four-bedroom wellness luxury homes with open-plan living, a mineral pool and private parking.
“We are passionate about protecting the character of Port Douglas and therefore have envisaged this site as a low-rise eco retreat; a place that is respectful of its surroundings and at one with nature,” Gurner Group general manager of Design, Alex Fin, said.
“We are planning to bring our signature luxury wellness services and dining offerings to the retreat’s residents and guests while ensuring the architecture is completely in keeping with the natural landscape, optimised for environmental efficiency and of course, carbon neutral.”
Gurner already has a presence in the region after securing an enclave of four luxury homes, ranging from $2.5 million to $10 million. He also acquired three adjoining sites for the hotel last year for $18 million including a caravan park and backpacker resort.
The acquisitions mean Gurner has nearly 26,000sqm to work with.
Gurner found himself in hot water recently for “deeply insensitive” comments which called for “pain in the economy” and unemployment to rise “40 to 50 per cent” to “remind people that they work for the employer, not the other way around.”
He has since apologised.
Jonathan Jackson, 28th September 2023
