15 Best Hotels in Cairns, Australia
Australia is replete with adventures of every kind, but the best ones of the lot are enjoyed outdoors. Head to the tropical north of the country’s Queensland province and you will find a treasure trove of all the fun things open for you. Cairns, a city exuding quite a laid-back charm, awaits you to whisk you away to a one-of-a-kind time as it opens the gateway to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
Besides these two soul-stirring offerings, Cairns is dotted by vibrant markets, impressive cafés and lovely beaches. The tropical oasis attracts tourists from all over the globe not only with its plentiful outdoor adventures but also with its convenient and luxurious accommodation options. With some of the best hotel chains spread across the city, accommodating yourself during a solo trip or a family trip should not be difficult.
If you are planning a trip to Cairns and are looking for good hotels in the city, then you have come to the right blog. Below are some of the best options that you can choose from, depending on your itinerary and budget.
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Crystalbrook Riley
You will love this centrally located charming property because it overlooks the waterfront esplanade of Cairns’ northern end. It features three bars and restaurants, 311 top-end rooms, a luxurious spa, a fitness centre, an exotic pool, a private beach, and event spaces. The eclectic mix of rooms is equipped with all the modern amenities and gives the property a five-star rating.
The most noteworthy aspect of this property is its proximity to some famous attractions of Cairns. It’s a short distance from the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Centre of Contemporary Arts, and the Great Barrier Reef Departure Terminal. From modern dining to shopping sprees to outdoor adventures, staying here gives you a chance to experience the best of Cairns.
Shangri-La The Marina
The Shangri-La Hotel deserves the five-star ranking because the luxury and comfort provided by the hospitality chain are difficult to beat. The stunning views that you get from the Cairns Marlin Marina are hard to forget. You can truly feel the beauty of a land that has its own share of romanticism to offer.
The Pier Shopping Centre and the departure terminal to the Great Barrier Reef are located within a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. The rooms are well-appointed and feature a private balcony that opens to the views of Trinity Bay, Marlin Marina or a lush tropical garden. From a vibrant bar serving great food and cocktails to a well-equipped fitness corner, Shangri-La The Marina has everything to make your stay holistic.
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
The gorgeous facades of the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort are quick to catch the attention of anyone looking for soulful indulgences with a dollop of luxury. Featuring an exotic lagoon pool, a private sandy beach, a swim-up bar and a children’s pool, the hotel is outright charming. The laid-back aura is great for you to repose.
The Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort has a strategic location, close to the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. You will also be close to Cairns City Centre, the Reef Casino and the Esplanade. Be it the bar and dining spaces, the BBQ area or the fitness centre, every aspect of the hotel is designed meticulously to suit the taste of savvy, luxury-seeking travellers.
Crystalbrook Flynn
Located at a stone’s throw from the pristine and sparkling shoreline of Cairns, Crystalbrook Flynn is no less than a paradise for travellers. If you are someone who wants to experience all the action packed in Cairns without much hassle, then this is the hotel for you. Like the other Crystalbrook properties, Flynn stores the best-in-class amenities and five-star hospitality services for you, right on 85 Esplanade.
Exoticness takes a new shape at the glass-sided pool of the hotel, where you can spend a relaxing time basking in the sunshine. There are 311 rooms and suites where you can quietly repose after a busy day. Gratifying indulgences await you at Flynn’s remarkable dining space, where aromatic flavours tease all your senses.
Oaks Cairns Hotel
Sitting right in the heart of Cairns’ Esplanade, the Oaks Cairns Hotel is a welcome retreat for anyone who wishes to marvel at the city’s seaside beauty and urbanscape. The hotel is located just a short distance from Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and the beachfront boardwalk. Not to forget, some really cool bars and restaurants are located in the vicinity.
The property’s unique design draws travellers in for one-of-a-kind hospitality. It offers a cocktail bar, a rooftop restaurant and a collection of roomy quarters. All rooms of the hotel are equipped with modern amenities and fixtures, offering the experience of a home away from home. All the noted attractions of Cairns, such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest, Cairns Regional Gallery, The Centre of Contemporary Arts and The Cairns Civic Theatre, can be accessed easily when you put up here.
201 Lake Street
The cool and relaxing atmosphere is one of the primary reasons why travellers flock to the 201 Lake Street Hotel, which is located just off the Esplanade. The convenience of staying in this lavish hotel is further accentuated owing to its close proximity to Cairns’ business district. So, the hotel caters to leisure and business travellers alike.
You will find a pool for a relaxing swim and a restaurant with barbeque facilities to satiate your hunger pangs. A pathway of tropical plants and palms ushers you into a beautiful setting that can leave anyone spellbound. It exudes a distinct sense of contemporariness through its well-equipped rooms, in-suite amenities and overall interior décor. You should definitely check into this 4-star hotel to relish all the offerings of urban Cairns.
Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
Located on 35-41 Wharf St, the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino stands quite prominently close to the cruise line terminal opposite Trinity Inlet. It’s a 66 feet (20 meters) tall dome made of glass- something that cannot miss the discerning eye of travellers.
The most noteworthy aspect of this hotel is the wildlife dome, which unravels a rainforest-style setting for you to relish. The environment is filled with wildlife and feathered friends, thereby shaping a one-of-a-kind experience for you. Let’s not forget Tamarind, the signature restaurant where a wonderful fusion of mouth-watering Thai flavours takes place. Featuring a bar for light meals, a rooftop pool, a sauna and a spa, this hotel is perfectly created to tickle the fancy of anyone looking for luxury in a natural setting.
Pullman Cairns International
Next on the list is Pullman Cairns International Hotel, which is located at 17 Abbott Street, just close to Pullman Reef Hotel Casino. It’s a five-star-rated hotel featuring 321 lavish rooms, becoming the largest in the city. With each room overlooking the mountains or the seaside, the hotel redefines comfort, luxury and class.
Step into Coco’s Restaurant, nestled close to the lobby area, where you can lay your hands on some amazing seafood, buffet breakfast and casual meals. The outdoor pool is truly an eye-catcher, as it provides the perfect setting to take a relaxing swim amidst lush surroundings. The deluxe Vie Spa is where you can rejuvenate your being with massages, body scrubs and other care packages.
Palm Royale Cairns
Sitting on a 2.5-acre property that’s replete with tropical gardens, the Palm Royale Cairns is a luxury hotel that you should consider. Featuring a collection of well-appointed rooms and suites with a private balcony, your time at the hotel will be filled with some soul-stirring experiences. The views of the garden or the pool just upon stepping out into the balcony will simply take your breath away.
A spa pool and two large swimming pools form an integral part of the hotel’s comforting infrastructure. With a Mediterranean-inspired interior décor and modern-day in-suite amenities, the Cairns Palm Royale evokes a pleasant feeling within. You will be close to the Cairns City Centre and Tjapukai Cultural Park. So, boredom never touches you here.
Mantra Esplanade
Catching the splendid views of the ocean or the city would be superbly pleasant—something that the Mantra Esplanade Hotels offers with pride. From standard hotel rooms to self-contained apartment-style rooms, the number of choices is varied. The waterfront accommodation of this hotel provides solo and family travellers with the privilege to stay close to some famous sites in Cairns.
Another great advantage of staying at this hotel is that you will be close to the departure points for cruises to the Great Barrier Reef. The Cairns Esplanade swimming lagoon and the pier are located just opposite the hotel. Also, you will be just a few minutes’ walk from the city’s best restaurants, cafes, markets and nightlife venues.
Crystalbrook Bailey
Located at 163 Abbott Street, Crystalbrook Bailey is yet another delightful property from the Crystalbrook collection hotel. Step into this ultra-modern hotel and you will be welcomed by its impressive character, modern furnishings, epic flavours and luxurious rooms. Like its sister property Riley, Bailey earns its five-star rating owing to its sustainability and creative persona.
If you love art, then this property will surely mesmerize you. The pathways leading you to its rooms and facilities boast the finest of Australian artwork, giving you a glimpse of the island nation’s artistic side. From Latin-fusion flavours at Pachamama to mouth-watering meat delicacies at CC’s Bar and Grill, CrystalBrook Bailey will never disappoint you.
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
The Cairns Colonial Club Resort has become a popular accommodation option for travellers owing to its relaxing atmosphere and affordable services. Given the fact that it’s a four-star hotel, the rates don’t burn a hole in your pocket. Being located close to the city centre, Lily Creek, Flecker Botanic Gardens and the airport, you can enjoy plenty of conveniences while putting up here.
A manmade beach, three lagoon-style swimming pools and 11-acres of tropical gardens accentuate the beauty and fun of the hotel. You can find a tour-booking office, a resort shop and a lounge are some of the facilities you will find here. Besides, the Thirsty Flamingo Poolside Bar & Dining is where you can enjoy amazing culinary creations, cocktails and other beverages.
Nightcap At Balaclava Hotel
Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel is located close to Cairns Esplanade, thereby putting you close to some great activities. The four-star hotel features a restaurant, a cocktail bar and a kids’ playroom. The rooms of the hotel are equipped with all the modern amenities, such as a refrigerator, air conditioner, TV, and electric kettle, to make your stay comfortable and pleasurable.
You can settle in more a toothsome meal at Graziers Steakhouse, a place offering a variety of lunch and dinner options, such as steaks, chicken parmigiana, burgers, chips and fish. The bar is where you can shoot the breeze with your co-travellers or friends over a glass of delectable cocktail.
Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside
Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside sits elegantly on the Esplanade and provides breath-taking views of the surrounding mountains or of Trinity Bay. Each room of the hotel is wonderfully designed to provide the ultimate comfort to guests. The balcony opening to the stunning panoramas is truly the icing on the cake.
The location of the hotel is perhaps one of the most attractive aspects that make it worth considering. It a few minutes’ distance from the Cairns Convention Centre and the Tobruk Memorial Gardens. You can relish the flavours of some amazing cuisine as well as organic and biodynamic wine selections.
Pacific Hotel Cairns
Last but not the least, there’s Pacific Hotel Cairns on the Esplanade, facing the pristine Trinity Harbour. Like most of the hotels on this list, this hotel offers spectacular views of the seaside. When you put up here, you will be able to access the Esplanade Lagoon, Reef Fleet Terminal and the city’s shopping district in just a few minutes.
The rooms of the hotel have elegant furnishings and modern-day amenities—all of which provide a comfortable living experience. A guest lounge, an outdoor swimming pool, and waterfront boardwalks form critical inclusions in the hotel’s infrastructure. The Bushfire Flame Grill Restaurant is a great place to enjoy a Brazilian-style BBQ Churrasco dining experience.
