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Nestled in the scenic beachside town of Palm Cove about 30 min-
utes north of Cairns and the city’s airport, Coral Coast is a short walk
from the shops, restaurants, and popular watering holes of Palm Cove
Village. Members who stay in any of the resort’s spacious apartments
have access to on-site swimming pools, a fitness center, sauna, and a
multisport athletic complex. For those who enjoy teeing it up, smash-
ing forehand winners, or setting sail, the resort is minutes away from a
golf course, tennis courts, and marina.
Ecotourism is also a major draw, as Palm Cove is a well-located
jumping-off point for explorations of the Great Barrier Reef and the
nearby rain forest. Tour operators offer a wide range of options for visits
to both, from diving and snorkeling at several reef sites and skydiving
for the ultimate aerial view of Cairns to guided tours of the Australian
Outback and Atherton Tablelands.
“The location of the resort is one of its biggest draw cards,” says
Brett Becker, general manager of member services at Accor Vacation
Club. “It benefits from being in arguably one of the most spectacular
destinations in all of Australia.”
Distinctive Classifications
All of the apartments at Coral Coast are self-contained with private
balconies. The air-conditioned units are furnished with a kitchen,
washer and dryer, and living room with a flat-screen TV equipped with
a DVD player.
Coral Coast is the latest resort to be included in Accor Vacation
Club’s Resort Series | Coastal initiative, part of the company’s largest
refurbishment project in its 15-year history. The motivation behind the
project, launched in 2011, is to align Accor’s properties with consis-
tently top-tier design and quality standards across the board and
ensure longevity, all while highlighting the resorts’ unique attributes
through a series of distinctive classifications. Properties fall under two
main categories, the Resort Series and the Urban Series, which are fur-
ther divided into subsets: Spa Country, Coastal, Wine Country, and
Heritage-Urban.
The Resort Series | Coastal program was specifically conceived to
consider the environmental and climate conditions associated with
Accor Vacation Club’s properties in that category. The company incor-
porated locally inspired design elements and wall coverings, using a
rich color palette and finishes to create a modern but practical look.
Before beginning the refurbishment of Coral Coast, Accor Vacation
Club’s leadership team studied recent comments from its members,
says CEO Craig Wood. The resort’s pool area also went through an
extensive redesign, including the addition of large outdoor daybeds
and a barbecue facility.
“We listened closely to guest comments to ensure the refurbish-
ment would bring the resort up to the high standard that members
expect from Accor Vacation Club,” Wood says. “The recent feedback
we have received from members has been very encouraging.”
Coral Coast is located near another Accor Vacation Club resort:
While the two resorts operate sep-
arately, both went through the Resort Series | Coastal refurbishment
program around the same time.
In July 2015, the company announced the arrival of Jody Redman
as the new general manager of both properties. Redman “has an in-
depth knowledge of the local area and can offer all members tailored
suggestions on what to see and do while in the area,” says Becker.
“Our entire team of dedicated staff ensure that every interaction they
have with our members is a memorable one.”
Award-Winning Company
Founded in 2000, Accor Vacation Club is Australia’s first hotel-branded
vacation ownership club. During the
s National Industry Awards in July 2015, the com-
pany’s staff members took home eight awards. Wood was recognized
for his 25 years of experience in the timeshare industry.
Accor Vacation Club is part of the the largest hotel
group in the Asia/Pacific region. Its parent company, Accor, is one of
the world’s leading hotel operator, with 3,800 hotels in 94 countries.
With a membership base of more than 31,000, Accor Vacation Club
aims to offer owners a world-class vacation club with a quality network
of 22 resorts throughout the Asia/Pacific region.
Accor Vacation Club has a substantial portfolio of properties
36
RESORTDEVELOPER.COM vacation industry review
JANUARY – MARCH 2016 CORAL COAST
RESORT PALM COVE
By Eric Kalis
The team at was confident that its new
apartments at the would be coveted
by members because of the Queensland, Australia, resort’s unique
location at the doorstep of two of the world’s most magnificent
natural wonders: the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. But
that did not stop the company from giving Coral Coast’s apartments
and common areas a dramatic facelift before making the resort
available to members. This 20-room property adds to the already
impressive 37 rooms of The Sebel Palm Cove, situated nearby.
a Prime Property
in Australia
A Major Facelift for