A venerable Port Douglas icon is getting a much-needed makeover to try and reclaim its former position of prominence. 

Beaches Resort, on the Port Douglas Esplanade, is receiving a refurbishment after several years of neglect.

The resort’s pool and deck areas are being rebuilt from the ground up by Papillon Landscapes, with refurbishment of six staircases, gardens and barbecue areas also planned. 

The redevelopment began on October 20 after two years of planning and capital buildup by the resort’s body corporate. 

The resort’s 27 individual owners managed to raise about $300,000 to pay for the refurbishment and other improvements. 

Body corporate chairman Leighton Hill said it was time for Beaches Resort to reclaim its former glory after a the resort suffered ‘several years of neglect’ under now-defunct management corporation Latitude 16. 

“On TripAdvisor the resort is currently ranked #30 in the town - we believe it belongs in the Top 10 and thats where we are aiming to get it with this redevelopment,” Mr Hill said. 

“The resort was a distressed business, we needed reinvestment and we’ve been able to do that thanks to the support and enthusiasm of the body corporate and the owners. 

“We are also hoping that the redevelopment of the exterior will inspire individual owners to look into renovating their own units.”