Heavenly Havana

WORDS by Lisa Keller

Port Douglas has long been regarded as a tropical escape for the luxury holiday maker and with its endless number of 5-star resorts, it’s not hard to see why. But for those seeking a more intimate and elegant kind of luxury that feels less like a hotel stay and more like coming home, you might want to set your sights on 15 Wharf Street. 

Perched effortlessly above Little Cove, with full 180 degree views across the Coral Sea, Havana @ 15 Wharf Street is redefining what luxury accommodation feels like. It’s a place where you can slip off your shoes, settle into a sun lounge, and feel instantly at home — all while indulging in the finer things. 

A new kind of luxury 

Walking into Havana, it’s the view that will capture your attention first. It demands it. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping ocean views, interrupted only by the mountains of the Daintree that lay beyond. It’s the kind of view that stops you in your tracks, makes you linger that little bit longer and subconsciously begin to slow down and enter your vacation state of mind. It was this feeling, this view, that clinched the sale for owners Kurt and Nathalie Jaggard. “We instantly fell in love,” Kurt remembers. “A lot of properties claim to be beachfront but this? This is as good as it gets.”
 

Reimagining the remarkable

Based in Sydney, the couple have owned property in Port Douglas for more than a decade and just as they began to consider a change, fate intervened. On a morning walk three years ago, they stumbled upon Havana, an oceanfront gem too good to resist. Within 24 hours, it was theirs.

As captivating as it was, there was no denying it needed some TLC. The 12 months that followed saw a meticulous renovation unfold to bring it back to life. Originally a three-bedroom home, it’s now a sprawling five-bedroom sanctuary, with three of those bedrooms reimagined as master suites, each with its own private ensuite and breathtaking view. 

Thanks to the work of renowned Sydney architect, Vince Squillace, the two-storey open-living home is unique in its style. Designed with larger groups and families in mind, it strikes a rare balance: Spacious yet intimate, offering privacy and seclusion while keeping everyone under one roof.

The pool and spa, both newly installed, are temperature-controlled — chilled for those hot tropical summers and heated for mid-year escapes, creating an indulgent retreat year-round. It’s luxury, but not the untouchable kind. It’s luxury without the fuss. “We wanted to make it liveable and homely,” Nathalie explains. “Somewhere people can truly enjoy, without having to be too precious.”

Understated luxury 

So, why Port Douglas? For them, it’s simple. “We’ve always found it so relaxing here. There’s no traffic lights, no nonsense. You can ride your bike along the beach and drink cocktails by the pool, but it’s still not showy. There’s a beautiful vibe here that you just can’t find anywhere else.” 

That same effortless charm is woven into Havana. Everything from the layout to the little luxuries, has been designed to feel intuitive, inviting, and unmistakably easy.

Splitting their time between Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the South of France, the couple know a thing or two about world class stays and have implemented this into their own slice of paradise. “We’ve built and designed it for us and what we’d expect knowing that it will translate for others.”

This comes down to the little extras. The seemingly inconspicuous details that make all the difference. From the beautiful French linen, king-size duck down pillows and lusciously thick bathrobes and towels to the extra daybeds, fully-equipped outside bar and hand selected trinkets purchased locally from Port Douglas vendors, there’s nothing that hasn’t been thought of.