Cairns Hotels?

Room 1611 is the Presidential Suite and is massive. A little dated but still quite nice.
In that vein, in 2019, I was upgraded to the Presidential Suite at Sheraton Grand Port Douglas, that Pres Bill Clinton stayed at many years ago. Again, it was massive and a little (very) dated. My wife commented, what do we we do with all of this space? 😀
 
At Port Douglas The Sea Temple is quite good. Option for private apartments with own plunge pool too.


Having said that I will normally rent a private property within walking distance from Macrossan St.
 
At Port Douglas The Sea Temple is quite good. Option for private apartments with own plunge pool too.


Having said that I will normally rent a private property within walking distance from Macrossan St.
That's where we're staying in August.
 
Having been to Cairns a few times, I think it's like Hawaii in the sense that there are many hotels, yet they are all old and dated and no one puts in money to renovate.

My last stay in Cairns was pre covid in Palm Cove and while it was only a Mantra property with ant trails in the room, we had a relaxing stay as it was a lovely area. It was a 1 min walk from the room to the esplanade so just like the locals, barefoot was the go for walks and eats in the area.
 
We're doing a similar 8 day trip in August and this time we're splitting it 3 days Cairns & 5 days PD.
Usually we go straight from the airport to PD but this time we decided to explore the area south of Cairns to Innisfail and Mission Beach. Researching it, there seems to be some interesting walks and things to see down that way to make it worth a look.

Then off to PD - having done the Daintree / Cape Tribulation etc several times they're off our list this trip and it'll be just boat trips, wine, restaurants and walks along the beach at PD this time around. We always find time for a sunset catarmaran cruise - love sailing because it's unhurried and relaxing without the sound of a motor. You might consider that too.

This place is well worth a visit:

 
Stayed at Riley in Cairns 12months, was a ripper, as close to brand new. Restaurant great as is the large multi depth pool.
Trip to Fitzroy Is from Cairns well worthwhile, water great to swim & walks there.
Mission beach down south of Cairns worth a trip, a little old school so was nice. just fair old drive.

All beaches in FNQ are terrible, swim in pool or on reef / off an island.
 
Having been to Cairns a few times, I think it's like Hawaii in the sense that there are many hotels, yet they are all old and dated and no one puts in money to renovate.
You'll be pleased there's 3 brand new hotels when you next visit, but yes the existing brands might have taken the opportunity to renovate last year.
 
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Not Cairns but not worth starting a new thread either - SO - best hotel right smack bank in centre of Mackay for 1 night?

I also need restaurant suggestions to take a family of mum, dad, 13yo and 8yo for dinner whom I think might kinda be inclined towards pretty simple foods.

Not asking much huh? :D
 
Not Cairns but not worth starting a new thread either - SO - best hotel right smack bank in centre of Mackay for 1 night?

I also need restaurant suggestions to take a family of mum, dad, 13yo and 8yo for dinner whom I think might kinda be inclined towards pretty simple foods.

Not asking much huh? :D

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Restaurant suggestion:

 
Tks craven - I actually booked Oaks last night - that’ll do the trick

If a good pub meal suits better than a restaurant then this place is just up the road.

 
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Not Cairns but not worth starting a new thread either - SO - best hotel right smack bank in centre of Mackay for 1 night?

I also need restaurant suggestions to take a family of mum, dad, 13yo and 8yo for dinner whom I think might kinda be inclined towards pretty simple foods.

Not asking much huh? :D
The Rice Buffett, is ok, offers a lot of different foods- Buffett- but dished out for you now.
If you didnt have to stay in the city centre, then i stay out at the Mantra at the Marina. Nice views out there. 176357995_3904720566280937_1682185900217527018_n.jpg
 
Stayed at the Pullman Reef for 3 nights; ordinary room, 7th (top) floor. I think a comment above was that its a little dated; I would say yes, a little dated, but not that it took the gloss off. Room a good size, with spa bath as well as a walk in shower, good sized bar fridge (not stocked :)) . Staff all good. I ate at the 'Soy Kitchen' twice; casual dining but v good Asian style food. I couldn't get into the best restaurant Tamarind, as it was fully booked for 5 days ahead. Each room has a small outside terrace with table & chairs. Pool OK; not huge.

EDIT: Also good wi-fi (secure) and plenty of accessible power-points and USB charging from bedside clock.

Well located; a short walk to Hemmingway's brewery/pub on the river front and also to downtown. Uber drivers agree that the Riley etc are the best places to stay in town, but were much more expensive for my stay.

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Pullman on the left, Hilton on the right.

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I’ve booked the Pullman Cairns International for September and they’ve emailed me to warn they’re about to start a reno.

Full text for those looking at CNS between May and October 2021:


We look forward to warmly welcoming you to Pullman Cairns International. As part of our continued commitment to enhance our property and service offering; I am writing to advise that the hotel has just embarked on the exciting first stage of room’s rejuvenation works commencing on Monday the 17th May 2021 with a scheduled completion in October 2021.

The first stage of the room’s rejuvenation journey will incorporate all guest rooms from level 3 to level 11, with an investment in excess of $10m. The rooms design richly respects the hotels historic Cairns, Queensland architectural style, whilst offering modern design features and custom designed furnishings that create a comfortable, relaxed, tropically inspired space that offers superb functionality for leisure and business travellers alike. The hotel will bring a new level of contemporary luxury to Cairns combining a simple black and white colour palate with light coloured woods and accent colours designed to capture the colonial past. The light filled, spacious rooms will also draw your attention to the stunning artworks from a hand crafted selection of the most talented artists in the Cairns region.

As we work hard to make our hotel more of a home away from home for you to simply relax or connect with family, friends or colleagues, we want to keep you up to date with what will be happening in the hotel while you are here with us. The planning of all aspects of the rejuvenation has been designed to ensure minimal disruption and inconvenience during your upcoming stay; however we expect some noise from renovations works between 10:00am – 4:00pm, Monday to Sunday.

From Monday the 17th of May 2021 until the Sunday the 20th of June 2021 our award winning haven of tranquillity and serenity; Vie Spa at Pullman Cairns International, will offer our valued guests amended hours. It will operate seven days a week from 4:00pm – 8:00pm. Bookings will remain essential during this time and these operating hours may vary slightly however; we will indeed keep you informed upon arrival at the hotel.

For your convenience from Monday the 17th of May 2021 until the Friday the 9th of July 2021 our guests will be able to use the Gymnasium facilities located at our sister hotel the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino. In addition to this from Monday 31st May 2021 until Monday 7th June 2021 our guests will also have access to the pool at Pullman Reef Casino, whilst ours is closed due to works on the 3rd floor. Access to our sister properties facilities is available by contacting one of our Reception team members. There will be no impacts or changes to our Coco’s Kitchen + Bar dining experience during this time and all normal hours of operation will be available on our website.

As a hotel, we sincerely appreciate your understating during this period of rejuvenation and we are confident that our newly transformed accommodation rooms will complement our new meeting and event spaces, redefining your future experiences here at Pullman Cairns International. We trust that you will have an enjoyable and pleasant stay and should you have any questions at all please do reach out of one of our wonderful team on 07 4031 1300.
 
Originally posted in wrong thread ..........

Arrived into CNS Fri night - could not hook up with Rooey coz had business dinner - actually ate at Ollies Italian on waterfront right outside HH - pizza was excellent - narrow menu but they built to order
👍
 
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Nothing special about HH Cairns- except the elevators that is. We have all been using room key cards to activate elevators for yonks right? Here is a new twist:

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All straight forward huh?

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OK so I am the first to admit I am not the sharpest pencil in the tin - but it did take me a min or 2 to work this out to get up to floor 9 - then next day I take a different elevator down:

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Clear as mud huh? When they say ‘Glass Sensor Below’ they actually mean the ‘Glass Sensor Above’ BELOW!

Beats me how this would confuse anybody - least of all older guests - but it did - in the 35 hours I have been here so far I have assisted at least 1/2 fox confused guests. Staff say it drives them mad as they to continually help guests out.

Wouldn’t be a difficult fix would it?
 
Crystalbrook properties have been very well done, minimal expenses spared. Nice and modern they are IMO by far the best properties in CNS.
Riley is brilliant with a great pool plus a lap pool off to the side. Wonderful F&B + rooms it's a great property. Even without an EL it beats the other options in CNS by a country mile.

Shangri-La is nice, but dated.
 
Has anyone stayed at the Coconut Grove apartments recently and can give me an report. I'm thinking a 4 night stay next May in a terrace apartment with its own pool etc. Is it worth it ($750 pn)

TIA
 

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