Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa

For first-time visitors to the outback beach town, it can be a surprise to learn that Broome-central sits nearly five miles from its lauded stretch of spirit level flat sand. Only Cable Beach Club can wink at the motionless ocean. Helpfully, the town’s public bus stops outside the front, camel rides depart a three-minute stroll away and there’s a good sunset restaurant in Zanders across the carpark. If you want an alternative to the resort’s buffet breakfast, The Zookeepers Store is a one-minute walk back from the beach.

Opened in 1988 by enterprising, art-loving Brit, Lord Alistair McAlpine, the grounds of the luxe, colonial-feel resort are filled with frangipani trees, pandanus palms and boabs. Between them poke stone horse carvings that point to the club’s entrance, keeping guests oriented.

Throughout the property are other surprises: original artworks by famous Australian artists including Sidney Nolan, Elizabeth Durack and John Olsen. Extraordinary artefacts also loom large, a result of McAlpine’s global roaming: lion statues brought back from a Shiva temple in southern India sit at the main entrance, while replica Chinese warrior figures from the Terracotta Army guard reception.

Service is typically Broome: relaxed but as warm as the sunshine. A golf buggy transports luggage to rooms. From there, peaceful strolls lead to a choice of pools (one exclusively for adults, another for families), casual-to-chic restaurants, bars and cafes or the L’Occitane-partnered Chahoya Spa and Salon – the only Australian pamper-haven to team with the French brand. On the estate’s outer edge, a sanctuary containing an imposing Buddha statue provides a fitting backdrop to free sunrise yoga and meditation sessions. Beside reception, there’s a row of free-to-use beach bikes with fat tyres, and during high season you’re likely to see a local artist creating works on the deck in front of Cichetti Club.

There are four styles to choose from, with price tags that match the level of comfort and space. Options range from studios – some overlook the pool, others the ocean or gardens – to secluded, private plunge-pool villas with personal butler; sprawling, fine art-filled suites or lattice-rimmed bungalows, the latter inspired by the town’s renowned pearler’s cottages. All are immaculately kept and gleaming clean.

For the hottest seats in town, grab a front-row position at the club’s ocean-facing watering hole, the Sunset Bar & Grill. Bar stools fill as the sun prepares to plunge beyond the earth’s curve. The open-air section has a casual menu of pizza and burgers, while inside has table service and a modern-leaning à la carte selection. The daily buffet breakfast is held in the same space, a generous spread of fruits, viennoiserie, cold cuts, fried treats and eggs. By day, enjoy the pool bar for salads and tapas dishes brought to your banana lounge, while by night, choose from the constantly booked out 30-seat dining experience at Japanese restaurant, Zensai, the slick Italian Cichetti Club or the poolside Thai restaurant, candlelit Kichi Kichi.

Double rooms from AUD 299 (£165) in low season; and from AUD 499 (£275) in high.

There are a couple wheelchair-accessible rooms on the ground floor; restaurants and bars are accessible via ramps and golf carts can transport guests around the grounds. 

There’s a family pool, a water playground (plus regular playground), mini golf, tennis courts and games you can borrow.