This place is a great escape. With New Owners (who are also the new managers from December 2011) - you sense a warmth and refreshing energy with this place (I have been here a few times over the years).
The Restaurant has a great menu now and the food is fresh & well cooked.
Breakfast was again fresh and well thought through.
The rooms are clean and comfortable - and I am told there will be a process of upgrading a number of the rooms in 2012 - but not making noise to disturb the guests! So they'll get even better.
I liked the short walk to the centre of Airlie - great after a night out in town (to walk home) but also don't have idiots walking past the motel that often.

In short - a great place and with it being a family run property now - more love & care will go into this place to make the stay better.

Remembering that this is a 3-4 star place, I thought it was great value, comfortable and would definitely return with the wife next time.

I try not to give a place 5 stars for everything - but knowing that the property is getting revamped - it was all sitting on a 4 or 5 stars anyway - so it can only get better with their planned improvements - they deserve the 5 stars.

I stayed here with my boyfriend for 4 nights recently and was very pleased with it. The rooms were clean and comfortable and very good value for what we wanted. We used Airlie as a base and travelled out to the islands during the day and so we just required basic accommodation. The staff were very welcoming and attentive. Breakfast was basic as it was free but we did eat in the restaurant one night and it was delicious!!! Would definitely stay here again!!!! It was Just a ten min walk to airlie beach centre so good location also- no need for cabs at all!

We came to stay for two nights just after the hotel had changed management. It is now a family run hotel with unbelievable service with friendly staff who will do anything to make your stay pleasant. Free wifi and continental breakfast is a plus! My husband had a medical emergency and we had to stay for another two weeks while he recovered and the hotel management could not have been more helpful or supportive. There is a beautiful pool area that is very private and unique. I can't recommend this hotel highly enough. Vancouver BC Canada

Was travelling through Airlie Beach last week and stayed one night at the Colonial Palms with my husband and two children (5 and 9 years). We stayed in the family room and were very pleased with our surroundings. The rooms seem to have been freshly painted and had new carpet. I understand they are under new management with more refurbs due soon. The hotel is located far enough out of the bustle of Airlie Beach but close enough to walk in, so was a great location for us. Breakfast was great the next morning and whilst we didn't have time to take a dip in the pool - looked inviting! Excellent value for money. Thanks Colonial Palms - we'll be back!