The only resort located on one of Australia’s most famous beaches

5 hours ago 4

The hotel

Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Broome, Western Australia.

Ocean pool at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa in Broome, WA.

Check-in

The most well-known resort in Broome and the only one that overlooks Cable Beach, the property’s grounds and reception area are impressive, even in the dark. Terracotta warriors stand guard near the entrance, and stone horses in the gardens are pointed towards reception to guide lost guests. I smell the frangipani trees before I see them. I enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. After checking in, I walk to my room. It’s a tad confusing to navigate the gardens in the dark.

The look

Palm fronds enhance the tropical elegance.

A tropical ambience (palm fronds, wooden ceiling fans) is complemented by an East-West design. Most of the wooden structures are bright green or red, a remnant of the pearling industry. Green was a timber preservative paint used on the luggers, while red was an anti-fouling paint used in pearling work areas. Cable Beach Club was the dream of English politician and construction magnate Lord Alistair McAlpine.

The resort opened in 1988 after McAlpine developed the land he had bought with a contract signed on the back of a beer coaster. The DNA of the early Broome-style bungalows remains in details such as jarrah floors and wide verandahs. In 1999, the Wen family, the WA-based owners of property company Hawaiian, bought the resort, extensively refurbishing and expanding it to become the Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa. There are two magnificent pools: the adults-only ocean pool and the all-ages Kimberley pool. Tennis courts, mini-golf, a gym, kids’ playground and day spa offer more activities.

The room

Early-Broome-style is echoed in details such as jarrah floors and wide verandahs.

I’m in a Pool View Studio on the first floor, with a private balcony overlooking the ocean pool. The en suite bathroom is modern, the Wi-Fi is fast and free, the king bed is comfortable and there are tea and coffee-making amenities. There are 225 rooms in total, with many categories to choose from including Garden View Studios, Ocean Side Studios, Bungalows, Villas and Suites. The deluxe suites feature paintings by Australian artists such as Sir Sidney Nolan and Elizabeth Durack.

Food + drink

The flavours of Greece and Turkey at Sol Mediterranean.

Buffet breakfast at Sunset Grill includes chef-made baked beans so good I ask for the recipe. The real star is the view of Cable Beach’s white sand and turquoise water. For dinner, there’s Italian at Cichetti, Thai at Kichi Kichi and the sunny flavours of Greece and Turkey at Sol Mediterranean, the latest venue to open at the resort. Not to be a city snob, but the quality, taste and freshness in this remote corner of WA far exceeds what I was expecting.

Out + about

I explore the resort grounds and the beach before venturing further. Across the road is the Buddha Sanctuary ornamental garden, a gift from the Wen family. It features a seven-tonne, hand-carved crystal Buddha, believed to be the largest in the world. In town, the Broome Historical Museum and Sun Pictures are worth a look.

The verdict

A stay at the finest resort in Broome kicks off my APT Kimberley adventure in style. There’s so much to see and do in Broome, if you’re doing a Kimberley tour, plan to arrive a couple of days early.

Essentials

Rooms from $359 a night (summer season), $668 (high season). 28 Cable Beach Road W, Cable Beach, WA. There are two accessible Garden View studios. See cablebeachclub.com