The best hotels in Cairns for every type of traveller

Whatever you look for in a holiday, chances are you can find it in Cairns, a beautiful year-round destination in Queensland’s tropical north. Cairns’ gorgeous beaches and laidback dining scene will appeal to devotees of the coastal city life, while nature lovers will fall head over heels for its pristine waters, home to the Great Barrier Reef, and lush rainforests. Once you’ve planned out your itinerary with our guide to Cairns, you’ll need to book your accommodation.

Read on for our curated selection of the best hotels in Cairns for every type of traveller, whether you’re seeking seclusion, want to prioritise sustainability, are travelling with little ones or are looking to venture off the beaten track.

For a well-rounded holiday

Crystalbrook Riley

A short walk from Cairns Esplanade, this five-star hotel boasts several unique draws including a private man-made beach and the highest rooftop bar in the city. Rooms are impeccably designed and kept, complete with either city or ocean views. Amenities are abundant, from touch-controlled lights and blackout curtains for optimal rest, to Staycast-enabled TVs for streaming your favourite content and a Nespresso machine to get you ready for your day. Take a dip in the huge lagoon-style outdoor pool, sip fruity cocktails on a sun lounger or relax with a massage at Eléme Spa.

Pullman Cairns International

From dining to the décor, everything about this hotel is thoughtfully designed to provide a refined experience for guests with easy proximity to the city. Newly refurbished rooms are light, spacious and offer either mountain or harbour views. Meanwhile, restaurant Coco’s Kitchen + Bar serves seasonal afternoon tea sets featuring a mix of aesthetically pleasing sweets and savoury bites, in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. 

Want to relax poolside? Head to the rooftop where, in addition to a pool and jacuzzi, you’ll find poolside service available. Simply order using a QR code, and your food and drinks will be delivered straight to your lounge chair.

For a luxe vacation

Intercontinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef

If it’s secluded luxury you’re after, book a stay at this island resort. Situated on the northern tip of the Whitsunday archipelago and enveloped by the crystal waters of the Coral Sea, this exclusive spot can be reached via a scenic helicopter, boat or private yacht transfer from Hamilton Island Airport (which connects to major Australian airports). Upon arrival, you’ll find beachfront villas with private pools and unobstructed sea views, along with dining experiences ranging from an ocean-facing steakhouse dinner to seafood platters under the sun.

Make the most of the resort’s picturesque location: dive among marine life at the Great Barrier Reef, go jet skiing with a guide, join a boat cruise or hop on a helicopter for an aerial tour of the island.

For a sustainable stay

Lady Elliot Eco Resort

This private island resort on the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, only accessible by chartered plane, has adopted a slew of sustainability initiatives. In addition to its transfer flights being 100 per cent carbon-offset, the resort also aims to power up to 100 per cent of its operations using onsite solar energy panels. Accommodation is simple yet comfy: guests can choose from glamping tents or eco cabins with fan-cooled interiors, though air-conditioned units are also available to book. A strict recycle and reuse policy must be adhered to. 

Showing appreciation for nature doesn’t stop with the resort’s eco-friendly practices: you can snorkel straight from the beach, dive at one of 20 beautiful sites around the island or quietly observe birds.

For families and groups

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Resort

With the many onsite facilities this resort offers, your little ones won’t be bored for a single second. Budding athletes can scrimmage on the tennis and basketball courts or rent volleyballs and badminton gear, while aqua sports fanatics will love the slide-filled water park. Older kids might fancy a game of 18-hole mini golf or a pedal cart race. When it’s time to refuel, you can all head to the barbecue area, café or the kiosk for refreshments. 

The resort provides air-conditioned cabins for different sized groups, each furnished with a kitchen, bathroom, and basic dining and lounging areas. Sites and shared facilities for caravan and camping stays are also available. 

For an alternative getaway

Lumholtz Lodge

This guesthouse ’s slogan “where nature wanders in” perfectly encapsulates the experience awaiting visitors. With the rainforest as your backyard, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the trails, observe wildlife in its habitat, and assist your hostess and resident wildlife carer, Margit, in nursing rescued animals. After a satisfying complimentary breakfast, ask Margit to suggest an itinerary that encompasses the best of the Atherton Tablelands , from crater lakes and waterfalls to areas for platypus spotting.