The best places to stay in Cairns

Crystalbrook Riley

Perfect for: Instagrammers, eco-conscious travellers, families
The first of three cool and sustainably focused Crystalbrook Collection hotels to open in Cairns – followed by the arty Bailey and fun and centrally located Flynn – this luxury hotel’s 12-storey tower is instantly recognisable on the city skyline. Its 1000-square-metre pool with a man-made beach makes it a great option for families. Dine on the Esplanade at its Asian fusion restaurant, Paper Crane, and take in the sensational views from the city’s highest rooftop bar, Rocco.
From $242 a night. 131/141 Esplanade, Cairns. Phone: (07) 4252 7777. See crystalbrookcollection.com/riley

Silky Oaks Lodge

Perfect for: A romantic getaway or special celebration
Imagine swaying in a hammock on the deck of your private villa listening to the sounds of the Daintree Rainforest. Or soaking in your outdoor bath as you gaze out at the treetops. Or watching the trickling waters of the Mossman River from the open-air pavilion Jungle Perch as you enjoy a sunset drink before dining in the Treehouse Restaurant. These are the kind of experiences you can expect at this uber-luxury retreat at Mossman, north of Port Douglas.
From $1300 a night. 423 Finlayvale Rd, Mossman. Phone: (07) 4098 1666. See silkyoakslodge.com.au

Mercure Cairns

Perfect for: Budget-conscious travellers who like a splash of style
This former Ibis Styles hotel has undergone a stylish makeover, with a cool coastal vibe prevailing throughout. Reopened in early 2022, its Queenslander-style architecture and cane furniture with palm print cushions in the lobby quickly evokes a feeling of being in the tropics. The 75-room hotel’s modern Australian restaurant, The Stanley, has a service window opening from the bar to the terrace, which overlooks the tiered pool and tiled deck, complete with round wicker day beds.
From $179 a night. 15 Florence St, Cairns. Phone: (07) 4051 5733. See all.accor.com

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Perfect for: Families and couples heading to the reef, solo travellers, business travellers
As the closest accommodation you can get to Marlin Marina – where boats depart for the Great Barrier Reef – you can confidently hit the snooze button at least once before a must-do day trip when staying at this hotel. Many of its 255 rooms and suites offer views over the marina or Trinity Inlet, as does its produce-focused restaurant, The Backyard. There’s also a pool with a sun deck and a bar serving meals in biodegradable and recyclable cardboard packaging.
From $250. Pier Point Rd, Cairns. Phone: (07) 4052 7500. See shangri-la.com

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas

Perfect for: Influencers out to impress on the ’gram, families, couples
Offering experiences like floating breakfasts and the chance to step straight out of the pool onto the balcony of your room, a stay at this beachfront resort can feel more like being in Bali or the Maldives than Australia. Set amongst tropical gardens with its own golf course, the 295-room resort has a poolside restaurant where you can watch your lunch being prepared in the open kitchen and a multi-award-winning Harrisons Restaurant among its foodie offerings.
From $385 a night. 168-190 Port Douglas Rd, Port Douglas. Phone: (07) 4099 5398. See marriott.com

Holiday Inn, Cairns Harbourside

Perfect for: Families on a budget, business travellers
When it comes to affordability and location, this hotel on Cairns Esplanade is hard to beat. It’s just five minutes’ drive from the airport, and around 25 minutes’ walk along the boardwalk into the centre of town – or you can jump on the free shuttle bus. Each of its 173 rooms and suites has a balcony, and there’s a pool and a fresh, flower-filled restaurant, Harbourside Bar & Kitchen. Kids 12 and under stay and eat for free.
From $169 a night. 209-217 The Esplanade, Cairns. Phone: (07) 4080 3000. See ihg.com/holidayinn

Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Perfect for: Nature-loving couples, special occasion trips
Embrace your inner naturalist with a stay amongst the treetops at this eco-retreat, around 45 minutes’ drive north of Cairns and ten minutes’ south of Port Douglas. Set on a former sugarcane farm with its own private beach and two freeform pools with rock waterfalls and grottos, it offers bungalow accommodation, with an open-air pavilion-style restaurant. Busy yourself with butterfly and nature walks and stargazing tours, or just lie in a hammock under a palm tree.
From $465 a night. 5078 Captain Cook Highway, Oak Beach, Port Douglas. Phone: (07) 4098 5700. See thalabeach.com.au

Lizard Island Resort

Perfect for: Honeymooners, cashed up nature lovers, baby boomers spending the kids’ inheritance
This exclusive resort on Lizard Island at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef is the stuff dreams are made of. It has 40 suites and villas – some with their own plunge pool – and a fine dining waterfront restaurant. Order a hamper, borrow a dinghy and motor to a private beach for a picnic lunch, climb to Cook’s Lookout to take in the panoramic views, and check out the Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station.
From $2049 a night. Lizard Island, Queensland. Phone: 1800 837 204. See lizardisland.com.au

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Resort

Perfect for: Fun-loving families
The kids will love racing each other down dual waterslides into the pool and riding pedal carts around this epic holiday park, around seven minutes’ drive from Cairns. The pet-friendly holiday park offers accommodation for every budget, including villas, cabins, condos and caravan and camping sites. With a water park, playground, jumping pillows, mini golf, basketball court, tennis court and activities like outdoor movies, you’ll have to drag the offspring away to the see Great Barrier Reef.
From $179 a night. 23-51 Anderson Rd, Woree. Phone (07): 4054 6644. See big4.com.au