Known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns offers a bountiful array of underwater experiences and is the perfect base camp from which to explore the world-famous rainforests of Tropical North Queensland. Its natural splendour is matched only by its vibrant cityscape, which is teeming with charming cafés, lively markets, and a whole host of beautiful beaches.
Owing to its transcendent beauty and its once-in-a-lifetime adrenaline-pumping activities, Cairns attracts more than 2 million domestic and international visitors each year.
Its hotels range from quaint lagoon-side boutiques to glamorous five-star resorts. Here are the best cool and unusual hotels in Cairns, Australia (in no particular order)...
1. Crystalbrook Riley – one of the trendiest and most Instagrammable hotels to stay in Cairns perfect for partying Millennials and Gen Zs
Offering a fresh approach to hospitality, the sophisticated character of Crystalbrook Riley inspires you to live in the moment and indulge in graceful luxuries.
The 311 guestrooms and suites feature a contemporary design with a splash of fun, with opulent décor exuding a sense of playful elegance.
The hotel boasts an eclectic array of dining experiences. You can enjoy balmy nights alongside share-style Mediterranean food at the glamorous rooftop Rocco, a range of nourishing wholesome fare at Greenfields, and an Asian street-food kitchen at Paper Crane.
Crystalbrook Riley is located an easy five-minute waterfront stroll from the shopping, entertainment and business centre of Cairns.
- To book, check prices or availability for Crystalbrook Riley
2. Crystalbrook Bailey – a colorful, kitsch, and fun hotel that blends originality and individuality
Part of a new wave of luxury sweeping the city of Cairns, this 12-storey hotel celebrates local artistry and presents a vogueish, eco-friendly design.
Asserting an air of sophistication into the Crystalbrook Collection, Bailey is teeming with superb attention to detail, from the crystal-studded pillars to the elegant staff uniforms.
A stylish yet laidback personality suffuses the interiors, and the 217 guestrooms are dressed in colourful, locally designed hues, and feature either mountain or ocean views (or both).
A compendium of information is stored on iPads and many of the utilities are fashioned from 100% recycled wood, pursuant to the brand’s focus on responsible luxury.
- To book, check prices or availability for Crystalbrook Bailey
3. Crystalbrook Flynn – a hip, fun and creative hotel great for partying or design-loving Millenials and Gen Zs
The third and final five-star hotel to open as part of the Crystalbrook Collection in Cairns, Crystalbrook Flynn is a fun and energetic haven from which to plunge into a vibrant entertainment scene.
The eccentric pink neon lights add a touch of playfulness, setting the tone for some memorable evening antics. This breezy 311-room dual-tower hotel pops with personality in every corner, and its most standout feature is its majestic glass swimming pool that overlooks the Esplanade.
The overarching design is inspired by the quintessence of an old Queenslander house, with a light colour palette filling the high-ceilinged spaces.
- To book, check prices or availability for Crystalbrook Flynn
4. Pullman Reef Hotel Casino – an upscale casino hotel that features an award-winning Tamarind restaurant
Here we have one of Cairns’s most remarkable hotels, which the first-rate facilities and services attest to. This luxurious 128-room masterpiece encompasses the vibrant Reef Casino, and is housed under a distinctive glass dome which makes it an easy landmark to spot.
An instant feeling of luxury strikes you as soon as you enter the lobby, which is adorned with fresh flowers and muted earth tones throughout.
The hotel retains a Queensland style and character through colourful artwork on the walls, blended effortlessly with a contemporary flair which extends to the guestrooms.
Lots of natural light, balconies with smart timber furniture, and high-tech amenities guarantee a peaceful reprieve in each of the stylish accommodations.
- To book, check prices or availability for Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
5. Lilybank Guest House – a charming, laid-back boutique guest house surrounded by greenery, perfect for nature lovers
Here we have a fine example of traditional ‘Queenslander’ architecture, situated 8km from the city centre in a peaceful neighbourhood teeming with local charm and tropical scenery.
Lilybank Guest House boasts two guest lounges with TVs, as well as a BBQ area and a saltwater pool nestled in a beautiful garden setting.
You can take advantage of the 24-hour reception service which is always on hand to provide brochures and book epic tours and excursions for travellers.
This pet-friendly boutique also boasts a graceful balcony where you can relish an open-air ambiance as you overlook the colourful pool area.
- To book, check prices or availability for Lilybank Guest House
6. Pullman Cairns International – a refined and unique hotel upscale surrounded by tropical gardens
This cool hotel reflects the spirit of Far North Queensland, and embodies the architectural grandeur of the city’s rich colonial past.
The Pullman invites you to swim in tropical pools, and revel in a relaxing treatment plan at Vie Spa, making it a peaceful spot of respite from the bustling metropolis.
The property’s central location provides an excellent base from which to explore this majestic city, and the charming staff presence is always on hand to draft up the perfect itinerary.
The epic excursions on offer include Great Barrier Reef tours, crocodile adventures, Daintree Rainforest tours, and outback day trips.
- To book, check prices or availability for Pullman Cairns International
7. Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns – an iconic upscale hotel that offers exceptional service and panoramic views of Cairns Marlin Marina
Nestled between Trinity Inlet, the Coral Sea and the Esplanade parklands, the Shangri-La frames gorgeous views across the Marlin Marina to the surrounding mountains.
A warm and genuine hospitality experience awaits you at this cool and eclectic hotel, which radiates the vibrant energy of Tropical North Queensland. Here, you can laze by a shimmering pool surrounded by leafy green tropical gardens after exploring the World Heritage listed rainforests in the vicinity.
You can savour the flavours of delectable Australian and international cuisine in the hotel’s waterside restaurants, before heading up to one of the 255 enchanting guestrooms which boast private balconies with sweeping panoramas.
- To book, check prices or availability for Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
8. Oaks Cairns Hotel – a chic and stylish hotel with gorgeous views that is within walking distance from the beachfront boardwalk
Located a few minutes from the new Esplanade dining precinct and Cairns CBD, Oaks is an ideal choice for discerning travellers seeking a paradisiacal bolthole in the heart of the city.
The hotel offers a range of modern and commodious guestrooms adorned with plush furniture and scintillating waterfront views, sprinkled with an air of functional elegance.
The graceful rooftop bar and restaurant is the perfect spot to kick back and soak up the tropical Queensland charm as you tuck into world fusion cuisine, and savour a memorable evening cocktail.
By night, this space is a relaxed yet social hub, and attracts visitors and locals who want to delight in a golden, open-air ambiance.
- To book, check prices or availability for Oaks Cairns Hotel
9. Mantra Trilogy – a sleek ocean-view hotel that offers contemporary spacious rooms and great facilities
Divinely positioned in the heart of Cairns CBD on the Esplanade, Mantra Trilogy overlooks all of the great attractions and vibrant eclecticism of the waterfront.
Each room and apartment comes with floor-to-ceiling windows which frame mesmerising lagoon views, and promotes a blissful night’s sleep through a cosy ambiance characterized by plush linens and gorgeous room décor.
Each spacious and airy room has a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities, meaning a stay here does not have to compromise on home comforts.
As you return from an unforgettable day of exploring this beautiful coastal city, you can chill out on the pool deck overlooking the ocean, cook up a barbeque on the resort lawns, or re-energize in the state-of-the-art fitness centre.
- To book, check prices or availability for Mantra Trilogy
10. Cascade Gardens – a stylish quirky-chic aparthotel that provides a peaceful setting where you can unplug and unwind
Blissfully located in the heart of Cairns, Cascade Gardens puts you only 300 metres from the Esplanade, and the boutique shops and restaurants that radiate the city’s tropical splendour.
The hotel is reminiscent of a charming island paradise, and is operated and maintained with love and a keen eye for detail. Boasting a stunning outdoor pool girdled by lush greenery, and an open-air pavilion with an outdoor kitchen, Cascade Gardens offers plenty of spaces to sit and hang out.
The accommodation options range from studio to two-bedroom apartments, each equipped with warm tropical décor, a full kitchen, and an abundance of tech-forward amenities.
- To book, check prices or availability for Cascade Gardens
11. Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort – a trendy large hotel that features a lush lagoon pool and a sandy beach
The ultimate option for both business and leisure travellers, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort puts you within easy reach of the city’s top attractions, and offers a vibrant sanctuary teeming with summer vibes and tropical glamour.
Transformed in 2019 with a brand new lobby, guestrooms, and public spaces, this stunning resort is ready to fulfil your holiday dreams with a modern, playful energy.
After check-in, you can head straight to the on-site MOKU Beach Club and feel the sultry atmosphere under swaying palms, or treat your palate at MOKU Bar & Grill.
The hotel’s sandy lagoon-style pool boasts the only swim-up bar in Cairns, and the surrounding lush tropical gardens add a scenic backdrop to your epic Queensland vacation.
- To book, check prices or availability for Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
12. Cairns Aquarius – a cool and chic holiday apartment that boasts great facilities including a tennis court perfect for longer stays
Beautifully situated on the Esplanade that overlooks the gorgeous waterfront, this stunning condo haven is the perfect spot to kickstart your Cairns vacation.
Boasting a supreme location allowing you easy access to all of the exquisite restaurants, shops, parks and attractions that Cairns has to offer, Cairns Aquarius reveals a blissful blend of chic glamour and functional sophistication.
The stylishly furnished, self-contained apartments provide total freedom to relax in opulence, and are decorated in luxurious wooden hues and artsy décor.
You can wake up and immediately gaze over expansive waterfront views from your private balcony, whilst soaking up the charm that makes this holiday gem a top choice for returning visitors.
- To book, check prices or availability for Cairns Aquarius
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Scott started his travelling life back in 1999, when he headed off on a solo jaunt to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia with just a backpack, a camera and a spirit for adventure. After that, the travel bug bit hard and now he is always seeking to head off somewhere new. Over the years he has lived in Italy, Qatar, Ireland, UK and the US but his spiritual home will always be Rome as this is the city which most satisfies his unrelenting craving for culture, good food and great football. Scott loves nothing better than to be behind the camera and also runs his own blog and Instagram page. He also counts Melbourne, Cape Town and Tel Aviv among his favourite places. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @scottbalaam