at Waters Edge Resort is at 4 Golden Orchid Drive in Airlie Beach, an upscale, family-friendly property with apartment-style accommodation by the water. One-bedroom apartments are about 90 square metres and two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments are about 200 square metres and sleep five, many with balconies, ocean views and some with a jacuzzi. The resort has two outdoor pools, a children's pool, a hot tub, a gym, a terrace and a garden, plus free WiFi and free self parking. It is rated class 4. The Airlie Beach lagoon and market are about seven minutes away on foot, Boathaven Beach about ten and Port of Airlie about eleven. This is the pick for families, groups of friends and couples who want a lot of space and a resort feel at a higher price level than the town's budget options.
Location and getting around
The resort is a short walk from the centre of Airlie Beach, near the water but away from the busiest part of the main street. The lagoon and the Airlie Beach market are each about seven minutes on foot, Boathaven Beach about ten, Port of Airlie about eleven and Coral Sea Marina about fifteen, so you can walk to many tour departures. Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine is roughly a 34-minute drive, and the resort offers an airport shuttle at scheduled times for a fee per person, as well as a limo service and on-site car rental, which is helpful if you want to explore beyond Airlie.
The rooms and the feel
This is a property of apartments rather than hotel rooms. One-bedroom apartments are about 969 square feet, or 90 square metres, with a king bed or two twins, a balcony and either garden or ocean views. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments are about 2,153 square feet, or 200 square metres, sleep up to five and have a balcony, with some also having a jacuzzi.
Apartments have separate sitting and dining areas, premium bedding, a laptop-friendly workspace, air conditioning and a large television. A few rooms are described as not yet refurbished, so check which room type you are booking if finish matters to you.
Facilities
Two outdoor pools with sun loungers, a children's pool, a hot tub and a gym give you plenty of ways to relax between boat days, and the terrace and garden are pleasant places to sit in the evening. Free WiFi is available in the rooms, and the resort offers water sports equipment and beach towels. There is no restaurant on site, but cafes and restaurants such as The Deck and Whitsunday Seafood Bar are a few minutes away on foot, and the apartments have separate dining areas.
Practical details and who it suits
Free self parking is available. Check-in runs from 2 pm to midnight and check-out is at 10 am, with fees for early check-in and late check-out. Only service animals are allowed. Choose at Waters Edge Resort if you want space, a pool and a private balcony for a family trip or a longer stay. If you want to be right on the main strip with bars and restaurants at your door, Airlie Beach Hotel or Heart Hotel and Gallery is closer.
Why stay here
- ✓Apartment-style suites
- ✓Two outdoor pools and children's pool
- ✓Hot tub and gym
- ✓Balconies with ocean views
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Free in-room WiFi
- ✓Airport shuttle (paid)
- ✓Water sports equipment
Good questions
Where is at Waters Edge Resort?+
It is at 4 Golden Orchid Drive in Airlie Beach. The lagoon and the market are each about seven minutes away on foot.
Does the resort have a restaurant?+
No. Cafes and restaurants are a few minutes away on foot, and the apartments have separate dining areas.
Is parking available?+
Yes. Self parking on site is free for guests.
