Located on the World-Heritage-listed Heron Island, this resort offers free snorkeling lessons in the outdoor pool and free guided reef walks.
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Reza Zar
From
New Zealand
Heron Island is a unique place and this is the only accommodation there. Rooms and facilities are basic but managed well. I really believe that accommodations in national parks and protected islands should be basic and environmentally friendly as possible. The restaurant and food was amazing with reasonable price; more than our expectation in a remote island. We loved staying there.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 666 reviews
They cancelled our initial reservation.
Got to the boat to find out they’d cancelled it. Even though our booking was pay on arrival, they tried to take the money out two weeks earlier so they decided to cancel the booking.
So we had to make a new reservation and then they tried to charge us an extra $700
I went back to Booking.com to show them the price for $700 less
So we booked that which was breakfast included
They forgot our dietary requirements which I notified them of three weeks earlier and were told we could eat eggplant for three nights
We then charged full breakfast fee and we’re only able to eat two of the items at the breakfast buffet
And then complained to the receptionist and she didn’t want to listen to what I was trying to tell her about needing to make a second reservation at the port.
Overall lack of communication really bad
The shower and bathrooms were filthy
We’ve stayed at Heron multiple times and it has always been fantastic this time not so great
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Guest review by
Cheyne
Australia
6.0
Excellent for experiencing sea life close up every morning -...
Excellent for experiencing sea life close up every morning - different species of rays, sharks and turtles, corals and numerous bird species. Really good for snorklers. But please don't expect luxury accommodation or satisfying , sustaining or even tempting evening meals.They were such a complete waste of money and not as described that we chose to go hungry after 2 nights. Your chefs are letting you down really badly. 😢
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Guest review by
Peter
United Kingdom
6.0
Beautiful beach, clear water, reef visit was brilliant,...
Beautiful beach, clear water, reef visit was brilliant, snorkelling lessons good, clean beach, great sea life, rays, baby sharks, turtles nesting. The island is a sanctuary for birds and there are hundreds of thousands, they poop everywhere and the smell can be over whelming. This you have to understand, the noise at night time is also overwhelming to the point it keeps you awake, you need ear plugs. Some of the birds squark making a ghostly scream. The rooms are all surrounded by trees and therefore no daylight comes into your room. There are a few rooms with a view but these are limited to the larger houses and of course are very expensive. Food over all was poor except breakfast. Chips with everything, I thought I would experience fresh salads, fresh fish etc instead it was chicken schnitzel, steak, burger, and fish and chips. Saying all that I'm glad I went to enjoy the water, beaches and sea life. One other thing which is frustrating, once you hand over your luggage at 9am and are put of you room by 10am the boat doesn't leave until 12.30 so you are left hanging around, the chairs aren't comfortable or in a cool area. It was particularly hot when we were there 30+ degrees and dressed for a plane journey.
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Guest review by
margaret
United Kingdom
8.0
Best - the reef, snorkelling, reef walks, turtles, fish,...
Best - the reef, snorkelling, reef walks, turtles, fish, sharks, stingrays, coral etc. the bird life. The guided tours. We loved just sitting on the beach and watching the turtle hatchlings, turtle, fish and friendly sharks swimming around.
Must do the snorkelling and sunset tour. (well worth the money)
Be aware it's a 2hr and 10 min boat ride which can be rough. There is no phone reception or TV on the island. Wifi can be purchased.
Hire a wet suit as there were sea lice in the water.
Hopefully the food will improve as it was pretty basic and there is only one place to eat on the island.
Would definitely go to Heron Island again.
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Guest review by
Narelle
Australia
10
Loved it all. Great activities staff.
Loved it all. Great activities staff. Absolutley stunning & amazing location.
Do take travel sick tablets on the ferry or if you can afford the helicopter certainly add that to your stay.
Amazing snorkeling & diving.
K
Guest review by
Kirsten
8.0
This island is beautiful but it isn't huge. we stayed for 7...
This island is beautiful but it isn't huge. we stayed for 7 nights which was a little too long. the island and wildlife is amazingly good and the staff and food at the hotel is good. it seems there are some problems from higher up in the management part of the hotel which is noticeable but all in all we had a good experience.
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Guest review by
Dan
Australia
Research, refine and make plans for your whole trip