Mr & Mrs Smith

What do you get if you throw high style, tropical flair and a seriously snazzy North Queensland estate into the mix? A high-living self-catering home that really means business.
The Plantation House is one of three homes built around a central tennis court and golf practice range in smart gated grounds in the buzzing resort town of Port Douglas. Built by a Sydney-based family whose aim was to create a complete resort experience, the houses can be rented individually or en masse, making this the perfect holiday setting for extended families or groups of friends. The house has been flawlessly finished, providing supreme luxury to its guests whilst maintaining a relaxed, tropical vibe. 
The gigantic living area has a mirror-smooth marble floor, lime-washed walls and cream couches; the perfect neutral palette to complement the lively fabrics and art works in the house. And as befits The Plantation House’s fabulous setting, there is a distinct nautical theme; a pair of oars jazzes up an upstairs corner, black and white maritime photographs adorn the walls, and the house is dotted with wooden model sailing boats.
Excess-baggage merchants should nab the master bedroom with its capacious walk-in wardrobe, and commandeer the small office for luggage overspill – well, what else are you going to use it for?
Paper-barked melaleuca trees surround the property and the ravishing gardens are so pristine you’ll swear they’ve been photoshopped. The private pool has a decadent day-bed where you can while away the sunny hours with a good book.
The media room, with its giant plasma TV screen and surround sound system, is the perfect late-afternoon retreat and will garner some serious brownie points from any tech-heads in your group, while yet another spacious lounge area extends onto the rear garden terrace. 
A private tennis court and driving range is shared with a handful of similarly snazzy neighbours and guests can use the facilities of the nearby Mirage Resort – including its world-class golf course. The picture-postcard-perfect Four Mile Beach is but a short stroll down a sandy path.
It’s all too easy to stay anchored to the immediate surroundings, but a little further afield is the must-see Great Barrier reef where you can scuba dive, kite-surf, snorkel, or go on a deep sea fishing trip.  You will not be disappointed. This doesn’t sound fun enough
For a retail fix head to Port Douglas’ main shopping area on Macrossan Street, a 15-minute walk from the house, which has boutiques and galleries galore. The village is also well endowed with restaurants which demand a visit. Alternatively, make like the locals and get involved with the state of the art barbie – grilling your reef-caught fish, perhaps? For a more refined, intimate dining experience call on the services of an in-house chef, lay the table outside on the terrace, and chow down on some very superior home cooking. Then maybe head back poolside for a post-dinner digestif.  Does life get any better?