Altitude ONE40

Australian Traveller Magazine’s 100 Great Australian Holiday Homes
When singing diva cum Bond villain Grace Jones flew to Australia in July 2008 to belt out a few numbers at the launch of a boutique hotel on Mission Beach south of Cairns, she actually chose to stay somewhere else: the lofty and secluded Altitude ONE40. She booked in for just three days, but left some three WEEKS later, swearing to someday return. Members of her entourage were also heard to murmur that they considered the open-plan home with 270-degree views out over Hinchinbrook, Dunk and Bedarra Islands to be one of the most beautiful places they’d been to in the world.

The views are a big part of that, sure. But don’t discount the porcelain-tile decking leading out to an 18m lap pool, the fully stocked gourmet pantry, the ultra-modern kitchen, the four superbly appointed bedrooms and private helipad. As the name suggests, a stay at Altitude ONE40 promises to leave you dizzy and breathless.

Details // Mission Beach, North Qld. From $500 per night. www.altitudeone40.com.au, (07) 4068 7777.