From backpacker to boutique accommodation: the best Cairns hotels

Playful yet sophisticated is a wonderful combination for nearly anything in life. And a hotel is unsurprisingly no exception.

Riley, part of the Crystalbrook Collection portfolio, marries the two perfectly thanks to its unrelenting focus on finer details, especially those revolving around environmental responsibility.

This hotel made a splash when it opened in 2018, and it's easy to see why. At the heart of ‘playful’ is its 1,000+ square metre swimming lagoon with its own man-made beach and poolside service.

Sophistication comes as the attention-stealing Rocco; Cairns’ highest rooftop bar and restaurant perched in the hotel’s tower. It’s hard to pass anything on Rocco’s Mediterranean menu: it takes paddock to plate to the next level, with beef farmed on their own 5,000 acre Crystalbrook Station, three hours inland of Cairns. 

As for those finer details? The room key cards are made from 100% recycled wood; there’s no plastic water bottles, straws, disposable bags or containers; Crystalbrook is a Founding Citizen and ongoing partner of the Citizens of Great Barrier Reef and they work with OZHarvest to collect unused food and distribute to segments of the community where it is most needed. No stone has been left unturned, making it the epitome of luxury Cairns accommodation.

For a romantic escape: Pullman Cairns International

Staying comfortable in Cairns never looked so good, thanks to the Pullman Cairns International. Rooms at this five-star hotel are more like beautifully-appointed apartments, and have everything you need for a romantic weekend exploring the tropical city. 

It's walking distance from the night markets, attractions, shopping and dining precincts. But if you don't want to walk, the on-site restaurant, Cocos, plate dishes like locally sourced ceviche and Tableland Black Angus steak frites. 

For something truly tropical: Bay Village Tropical Retreat

Get a taste of Bali in Cairns at Bay Village Tropical Retreat. And that's not just because of its Indonesian restaurant, Bayleaf, cooking up the likes of braised duck curry with green papaya and twice-cooked crispy whole chicken with yellow rice.

Head Chef, Made Upadana, was trained in the famous Bumbu Bali Restaurant and serves food so tasty you’ll be hard-pressed to pick a favourite from the menu.

As for the accommodation, you’ll find everything from studio rooms to three-bedroom apartments, each with tiled floors, tropical furnishings and locally-made rattan furniture.  Aside from the usual perks like daily housekeeping, you’ll have ample onsite parking to launch into these day trips if you’re travelling with your own wheels.

For the business traveller: Hilton Cairns

Expect all of the usual Hilton charms with a tropical twist right on the marina. Hilton Cairns is only 10 minutes’ drive from the airport, 10 minutes’ walk to the Cairns Convention Centre and about 10 steps from all the waterfront dining options, so it scores a perfect 10 in any business traveller’s eyes.

What makes it an excellent Cairns accommodation deal for corporate travellers is the fact there are seven meeting rooms, 24-hour business centre and a print room to rival any home office. 

But it's not all work and no play, with Mondo on the Waterfront right here on your doorstep, serving views of Trinity Inlet alongside its barbeque, sizzling fajitas and cocktails.

For large families: Mantra Trilogy

Family-style Cairns accommodation raises the bar at Mantra Trilogy. The three iconic towers sit in the middle of The Esplanade; walking distance to the Cairns Lagoon, Reef Casino and the best of Cairns’ dining scene.

Every type of sleeping arrangement, bedroom size and bed combination is configurable from the 230 rooms in its inventory – perfect for large family requirements. Add fully-equipped laundry and kitchen facilities to each apartment and you can see why this is one of the best Cairns hotels for groups.

Between the BBQ facilities and a lagoon style swimming pool, you’ll find little reason to leave. That is until your kids get wind of these things to do.

For big kids: Waters Edge Apartments Cairns

Slip into something more comfortable: the lagoon-style swimming pool which wraps around Waters Edge Apartments.

Everything about this hotel has been designed for convenience, making it one of the best one-stop-shop Cairns holiday packages around. Ground floor apartments even have their own private pool entrance, perfect for those who intend to spend their Cairns vacay poolside. That is, when you're not out experiencing all there is to do. 

Expect apartment-style living, fully self-contained kitchens and other perks like TVs in every room, free WiFi and media rooms, which will appeal to families who know screen time equals a good time after a long day of adventure. If you do pull yourself away from the pool, you’ll also find panoramas of Trinity Bay from apartments on higher floors. 

For a place to let your hair down: Crystalbrook Flynn

Just steps from the esplanade, Flynn is the best Cairns hotel for those who want a stay with a lot of flair and promise of a party. The fun begins the moment you check in, whether you make your way to the pool or spacious onsite bars and restaurants that include modern pub fare and live music, Italian food, or the whiskey and wine corner.

Unwind in your room or suite, with options for city lights, harbour or sea views, then revive at luxurious Eléme Spa. You’ll enjoy every moment at Flynn. 

For backpackers: Cairns Central YHA

Backpacking through Cairns and Atherton Tablelands? If you’re looking for wallet-friendly Cairns accommodation that's walking distance from the main attractions, check into  Cairns Central YHA opposite Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Here, you’ll find 59 rooms with a mix of dorms, twin, double and even family rooms with one of the best Cairns accommodation deals around.

To counter Cairns’ warm temperatures, all YHA rooms have air-conditioning: a rare treat for a hostel that charges less than the price of avocado toast to stay the night. Speaking of breakfast, there are free pancakes served daily - the perfect sustenance to fuel these free things to do.

For young families: Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut 

The recipe for family fun at Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut reads a little like a cocktail list. It’s one-part caravan park, one-part water park, and one-part theme park, poured within 28 acres of lush tropical bushland.

This is the kind of place you can have endless family fun, which is why you’ll want to stay onsite in their camping, caravanning, condo or spa villa options. 

One of the best family holiday parks in Queensland, the kids will run themselves ragged between the sun lagoon pool, water park and giant jumping pillows. And that’s before they’ve had a chance to play the 18-hole mini golf course, interactive play hub or stay up late for the on-site outdoor cinema.

If you do decide to leave this hive of activity, it’s just a 15-minute drive into the city-centre or stone’s throw to the Bruce Highway, which connects these things to do with kids in the area.

For rooftop vibes and views: Oaks Cairns Hotel

Ultra-modern Oaks Cairns Hotel is the new kid on the (waterfront) block of Cairns accommodation. Its seaside location couldn't be more central, just minutes away from the new Esplanade dining precinct, Cairns CBD and Cairns Convention Centre.

The hotel's 76 spacious rooms across four floors all feature contemporary fittings and plush furnishings, but you'll want to spend most of your time at the spectacular rooftop restaurant and bar. Dine on local produce and sip tropical-inspired cocktails while surrounded by a cool ocean breeze and panoramic views of the Esplanade and out to the Coral Sea.

Planning an event? You can also have your pick of rooftop spaces for exclusive use.

For a stay where life and art collide: Crystalbrook Bailey 

You’ll get lost in the details at Bailey, another Cairns hotel newcomer from the Crystalbrook Collection. The walls are lined with an ever-changing display of artworks, with each of the 12 guest floors featuring different artists and the chance for travellers to see one of the quarterly art initiatives hosted here, from dance to live graffiti sessions. Arrive hungry and you’ll be able to tuck into Aussie outback fare at CC’s Bar and Grill. 

As for the rooms? Choose from urban rooms suitable for couples or families, or book a longer stay in the residences – one, two and three bedroom apartments with designer touches throughout.