Mr & Mrs Smith

Lizard Island

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

17 miles off the Queensland coast, at the northernmost tip of the Great Barrier reef, Lizard Island couldn’t be more remote. With 24 ivory-white beaches to bask on, you’re guaranteed privacy, and, with, some of the most spectacular diving, fishing and snorkelling on the doorstep, the hotel’s as much a magnet for adventurous ocean goers as it is for romance-struck couples in search of real desert-island relaxation.

Need to know

• Rooms 40, including 18 suites and 15 villas.
• Rates Double rooms from $1661.80 (AU$1,708), excluding tax at 10 per cent.
  The price shown represents the lowest nightly rate for a double room available at this hotel over the next 21 days. Any price conversions from the hotel's local currency (AU$1,708) have been conducted using today's exchange rates from xe.com.
• More details Rates include three meals a day, alcoholic and soft drinks, picnic hampers and use of the motorised dinghies. Additional charges apply for Cellar Master list, degustation menus and room service.
• Facilities Spa, gym, tennis court, library with books and games, TV lounge with free internet. In rooms: Bose sound system with CD player and iPod dock, free minibar.
• Poolside Surrounded by palms and with the sea as a backdrop, the hotel’s freshwater pool is lined with wooden decking and cosy cushioned loungers.
• Check-out 11am, but flexible subject to availability. Check-in, 2pm.
• Children Lizard Island is very much a couple’s retreat, but kids over 12 are welcome.
• Also There's no mobile phone coverage or reliable internet on the island so switch off and chill out (and leave your iPad at home). Two-night minimum stay.
• Hotel closed Lizard Island will close annually from 28 January to 28 February for seasonal maintenance.

Food and drink at Lizard Island

• Hotel restaurant Osprey’s – named in honour of the birds nesting on the tiny island that are visible from the restaurant – serves Modern Australian dishes with a seafood bias and a barbecue every Friday. It’s set in an open semi-circular building, with lacquered hardwood flooring, comfy wicker chairs, chunky granite tables and gasp-inducing views.
• Dress code Gucci sandals (the boardwalks eat heels), flowy sarongs, big sunglasses and even bigger hats.
• Top table Tables 9 and 10 are the top spots for admiring the view by day, but once the sun goes down there’s no view to speak, so any table will do. Although the resort doesn’t do reservations, staff may make an exception if you've a proposal in mind.
• Last orders Osprey’s cooks its last dishes at around 9.30pm, and the bar closes at midnight.
• Room service Not available as the resort is so spread out, but request a free picnic hamper if you fancy a beach outing.
• Hotel bar Guests sip champagne and swap stories at the restaurant's L-shaped marble bar. Cocktail nights are held every Thursday in the gazebo.

Lizard Island The Great Barrier Reef, The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland