Airlie Beach Accommodation
Airlie Beach accommodation is abundant and varied, meaning there are amazing places to stay for all types of travellers! For those visiting the Whitsundays, Airlie Beach is the main hub on the mainland. This cosy tourist town is only 30 minutes from Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine Airport) and has all the amenities you may need for your stay.
Let’s take a closer look at the different accommodations in Airlie Beach so you can start planning your trip to the Whitsundays!
Airlie Beach Accommodation
From backpacker hostels, to budget hotels, to luxury resorts and holiday apartments, Airlie Beach has accommodation to suit everyone. Depending on your travel style and budget, you can select one of the many Airlie Beach accommodations and plan the perfect stay. Any of these establishments will put you in the ideal position for mainland activities, private charters, and boat tours to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef.
You can also elevate your stay in the Whitsundays with a stay on Hamilton Island! Check out the top accommodation options there as well!
Best Budget Accommodation in Airlie Beach
There are some great options for cheap accommodation in Airlie Beach. Hostels offer cheap dorm rooms that are perfect for backpackers and young solo travellers. Most hostels have community spaces where you can mingle and socialise, and some also have private rooms that suit couples or families on a budget as well.
Bounce Airlie Beach
As the newest hostel in Airlie Beach, Bounce brings a touch of class and elegance to your standard backpacker hostel. A renowned brand around Australia, Bounce has brand new facilities and appliances to complement the affordable dorm rooms. Choose between 10, 12, or 14-bed mixed dorms, or even a 14-bed female-only dorm.
Bounce is located just behind the main street of Airlie Beach, so you can enjoy a quieter atmosphere while still being just a 5-minute walk to downtown.
Magnums
Magnums offers an adults-only accommodation in Airlie Beach perfect for couples, backpackers, and groups of friends. This is about as central as you can get in terms of location, as Magnums is located right in the middle of the Airlie Beach main street.
As there are no big dorm rooms here, Magnums provides a slightly more upscale and intimate hostel experience with 2 or 3-person private cabins. There is also a self-contained kitchen, free on-site parking, a volleyball court and outdoor gym, laundry facilities, a BBQ area and more!
Nomads/Base Backpackers
This is the perfect spot for backpackers who want a social and energetic vibe during their stay in Airlie Beach. Nomads Airlie Beach (formerly known as Base) has cosy, 4-person dorm rooms as well as private rooms. There are also powered and unpowered camping spots for those with a tent or campervan.
Nomads is located right on the main street of Airlie Beach, nestled between pubs, nightclubs, and eateries. If you’re hoping to be in the midst of the nightlife and stay in Airlie Beach on a budget, this is the place to be!
The Hostel Airlie Beach
Formerly known as the YHA Airlie Beach, The Hostel in Airlie Beach has colourful and basic furnishings for travellers on a budget. There are dorm rooms for backpackers aged 18 and above, and families or couples on a budget can select twin/double rooms or family rooms as well.
The Hostel is just steps away from the local bus station and downtown Airlie Beach, and the communal living areas offer a laid-back atmosphere for budget travellers of all ages.
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Airlie Beach
Those looking for mid-range accommodation in Airlie Beach can check out these local hotels. Both are located right in downtown, making it easy to save money on things like taxis or car rentals. They also offer a more elegant atmosphere than a private room in a hostel!
Budget hotels offer modest yet affordable private rooms ideal for couples, friends, and families in the Whitsundays.
Airlie Beach Hotel
Airlie Beach Hotel is a staple establishment in downtown Airlie Beach. Located right across from the turquoise waters and palm trees of the Airlie Beach foreshore, this huge, iconic hotel lets you gaze out at paradise from the ocean view rooms and suites.
Those looking for a slightly cheaper stay can save money with a courtyard view room or suite, so there are options for all budgets. Airlie Beach Hotel is a short walk from the Port of Airlie, Boathaven Beach, and the attractions on the main street. The ground floor of the Airlie Beach Hotel also has a buzzing bar and restaurant that often has live music and events!
Heart Hotel and Gallery
Another centrally-located, mid-range accommodation in Airlie Beach is the Heart Hotel and Gallery. Just steps away from the Airlie Lagoon and foreshore, this modern and artistic hotel is right on the main street with cafes, shops, and attractions at your fingertips.
This small, boutique hotel is infused with intricate design and architecture. There are 40 designer rooms that offer water views or village views, and excellent amenities to enhance your stay. Be sure to check out the top floor of the Heart Hotel, which is a combined art gallery and gathering space with gorgeous views.
Best Mid-Range Holiday Apartments in Airlie Beach
Another option for mid-range accommodation in Airlie Beach is an apartment rental. Whether you’re a family, a group of friends, or a couple looking for privacy and tranquillity, renting your own apartment is an amazing way to settle into some peace and quiet in Airlie Beach.
at Boathaven Bay Holiday Apartments
Just 250 metres from downtown Airlie Beach, the Boathaven Bay Holiday Apartments from at Hotel Group are convenient and affordable! The suites, apartments, and penthouses here offer amazing value for money and are suitable for small groups of 2-4 guests.
With views of Boathaven Bay and the Port of Airlie, plus a lagoon-style swimming pool and tropical waterfall, these self-contained apartments offer fabulous accommodation for a reasonable price in the Whitsundays.
Searene Apartments
Searene Apartments are perched on the hills right outside Airlie Beach, giving each unit a fantastic view of the surrounding green forested hills and the sapphire Coral Sea. From spacious studio apartments to family-sized two-bedroom apartments, guests can enjoy self-contained living areas that suit their group and travel budget.
With undercover parking, a swimming pool that overlooks the lush landscape, and a 10-minute walk to the main street, Searene Apartments provide a convenient and upscale stay in Airlie Beach.
at Whitsunday Vista Holiday Apartments
Another excellent choice from at Hotel Group, Whitsunday Vista Holiday Apartments have several options to suit travellers with modest budgets. Choose between 1 or 2-bedroom apartments with spacious balconies and ocean views available if you want to splurge a little.
Whitsunday Vista Holiday Apartments are located just past the main street of Airlie Beach and surrounded by vibrant tropical forests. There is a bus stop right out front for those travelling without a car!
Beach Court Holiday Villas
If you want to stay near Airlie Beach but prefer to be out of the busy town centre, Beach Court Holiday Villas are a great option. Just 200 metres from Cannonvale Beach, these self-contained 1, 2, or 3 bedroom villas provide privacy and serenity during your stay.
Furnished in vibrant, beachy colours and equipped with modern facilities, the villas here are cosy and fit groups of 2, 4, or 6. The quaint town of Cannonvale is just next to Airlie Beach, and there are some lovely shops and cafes to enjoy here as well.
Best Luxury Accommodation in Airlie Beach
Travellers hoping to splash some cash on an unforgettable luxury stay in Airlie Beach are spoilt for choice! The beautiful Whitsundays attract high-end travellers from around the world, so there is a vast array of upscale boat tours, private charters, superyachts, and fine dining restaurants available. That also means there are some truly incredible luxury resorts as well!
Coral Sea Resort
Coral Sea Resort is the best luxury accommodation in Airlie Beach that is centrally located. Perched on its own headland in between the bustling Coral Sea Marina and the main street of Airlie, here you can enjoy a quiet, waterfront stay with everything you need within walking distance.
As for the rooms, this 4.5-star accommodation has a variety of glorious hotel rooms, suites, and 1, 2, or 3-bed apartments and penthouses. You can choose the level of luxury that suits your budget, and enjoy on-site room service, restaurants, water sports, spa, fitness centre, and more.
at Waterfront Whitsunday Retreat 18+
Those seeking refined, adults-only luxury accommodation in Airlie Beach can stay at the Waterfront Whitsunday Retreat from at Hotel Group. Choose from 5 of the spa suites that have private balconies, pebbled bathrooms, and a romantic atmosphere. Or you can reserve the 3-bedroom, top-floor jacuzzi penthouse for an unforgettable group getaway!
This 4-star hotel is situated in the vibrant green hills just outside Airlie Beach. So you can easily walk into town or just relax at the hotel with the deep water horizon pool, guest BBQ, tropical gardens, and beautiful views.
Freedom Shores Resort
Another excellent resort in the Whitsundays is Freedom Shores Resort. This stunning accommodation is a 15-minute drive away from Airlie Beach, giving you the chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle. As you unwind in a tropical paradise, you can stay in upscale suites or rent your own private boat bungalow overlooking the water.
When you’re ready to head into Airlie Beach, there is a courtesy shuttle that will bring you to and from town. Or you can walk next door to the top-rated Northerlies Bar and Grill which offers exquisite food, drinks, and entertainment.
at Marina Shores
Marina Shores is another fantastic option from at Hotel Group in the heart of Airlie Beach. Overlooking the Coral Sea Marina in Whisper Bay, Marina Shores has 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments and penthouses for travellers of all ages.
Each apartment has its own private balcony, fully-equipped kitchen, laundry, and designer furnishings so you can feel right at home in the Whitsundays. Enjoy premium service and a stunning oceanfront location for your next Whitsunday holiday!
Mirage Whitsundays
Located in Cannonvale on the outskirts of Airlie Beach, Mirage Whitsundays is a gorgeous resort with self-contained luxury apartments, villas, and penthouses. Guests can rent their own living space with views of the sparkling Coral Sea or the landscaped tropical gardens, and there are also disabled-friendly apartments available.
Mirage Whitsundays is perfect for all types of travellers. There is a lagoon-style swimming pool ideal for families and a horizon swimming pool for adults only. The resort also has a spa, gym, restaurant, and daily shuttles into downtown Airlie Beach.
Is it worth staying in Airlie Beach?
It is absolutely worth staying in Airlie Beach if you want to combine your island and reef tours with the convenience and delights of the mainland. Airlie Beach is a small town that has everything you need right at your fingertips. Whether you want car rentals, airport shuttles, restaurants, cafes, shops, hiking trails, or beaches, it’s all right there in Airlie Beach.
These are just some of the top things to do in the Whitsundays!
Airlie Beach is also the hub for booking boat tours and charters, so you can see the best of the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef during your stay. So choose an accommodation that suits your budget, select your ideal tours, and experience the magic of the Whitsundays!
