Where to Stay in Cairns: Best Areas, Hotels & Accommodation in 2023

Best Hotels: Cairns Accommodation Quick-list

If you are in a rush, below is a quick list of some of the best hotels in Cairns to suit every need:

Where to stay for the Great Barrier Reef: Fitzroy Island Resort

Best Hotel on the Cairns Esplanade: Oaks Hotel

Best Cairns Accommodation on the Beach: Paradise Beach Resort

The Best Hotel in Cairns City: Crystalbrook Riley

Best Cairns Accommodation in Palm Cove: Alamanda

Best Budget Backpackers in Cairns: Gilligans Backpackers

A Quick Rundown of Where to Stay in Cairns

While Cairns is an extremely popular tourist destination in Australia, only around 150 000 people actually live here. As a result, Cairns has a really laid-back, tropical vibe. Locals refer to the city as "town", reflecting the old-school Aussie way of life in the tropics that can really be a stark reminder of just how hectic other cities in Australia can get.

For those of you visiting Cairns and trying to plan which area to book accommodation at, let me break it down for you.

Cairns Esplanade

The waterfront is where most of the attractions and activities in the city are located. This is the main tourist strip and you'll find plenty of bars, restaurants, and tour booking offices here. Typically, hotels and resorts on the Esplanade are the most expensive in Cairns since you'll often get waterfront views.

Cairns City

Refers to greater Cairns and the surrounding suburbs. Many of the hotels and accommodation options in Cairns just off the main esplanade end up a lot cheaper but are still within walking distance of almost everything.

Palm Cove

Another great place to choose when planning where to stay in Cairns. This beach is located on the Cairns Northern Beaches, approximately 30 minutes north of the city. Palm Cove is a great spot if you'd like to swim at the beach near your hotel or resort.

Cairns Islands

There are loads of Islands off Cairns to explore when visiting. If you'd like to stay on a tropical Great Barrier Reef Island, then the only option is Fitzroy Island, a quick 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns Harbour.

Cairns International Airport

The airport is conveniently located just 15 minutes from the Esplanade and roughly 25 minutes from the Northern Beaches.

Summary of the Best Hotels in Cairns

Luxury Hotels & Resorts

	Hotel	Area	Price
	Rydges Esplanade Resort	Esplanade	$$$
	Pullman Reef Hotel Casino	Cairns Esplanade	$$$
	Alamanda	Palm Cove	$$$$
	Fitzroy Island Resort	Fitzroy Island	$$
	Crystalbrook Riley	Cairns City	$$$

Best Value Hotels & Holiday Homes

	OPTION	AREA	PRICE PER NIGHT
	Oaks Hotel	Cairns Esplanade	$$
	Paradise on the Beach Resort	Palm Cove	$$
	Cairns Colonial Club Resort	Cairns City	$$
	Cairns City Palms	Cairns City	$$
	Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside	Cairns Esplanade	$$
	The Red Sparrow 2	Cairns City	$$$

Budget Hostels & Guest Rooms

	OPTION	AREA	PRICE PER NIGHT
	Flashpackers	Palm Cove	$$
	Mad Monkey Backpacker Village	Cairns City	$
	Tropic Days Boutique Hostel	Cairns City	$
	Gilligans Backpackers	Cairns City	$
	Travellers Oasis	Cairns City	$

Best Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Cairns

Rydges Esplanade Resort

• Area: Cairns Esplanade
• Best For: Esplanade Resort with it all

The Rydges Esplanade Resort is one of the best-rated resorts in Cairns located in the heart of the Esplanade. Visitors looking for a place to stay in Cairns with all the features, make sure to check out this epic Cairns accommodation option.

All rooms have a balcony and range from standard twin rooms with mountain views to executive suites with balcony views over the Coral Sea. Facilities include three swimming pools, two tennis courts, a jacuzzi, a fitness center, and even an award-winning restaurant.

This is easily one of the best hotels in Cairns and rooms are surprisingly affordable!

Pullman Reef Hotel Casino

• Area: Cairns Esplanade
• Best For: Cairns resort with nightlife & bars

The Pullman Reef Hotel is a great place to stay for Cairns visitors chasing great nightlife. This Cairns hotel has an attached casino and four bars with regular live music.

You'll also find a rooftop pool, spa pool, and sauna with huge, comfortable rooms overlooking Cairns or the Trinity Inlet.

The Alamanda by Lancemore

• Area: Palm Cove
• Best For: Luxury resort apartments by the beach

The Alamanda by Lancemore is located in Palm Cove, approximately 35 minutes from the Cairns Esplanade. This resort is one of the best offerings for those looking for fully-equipped apartments in a resort setting.

Featured in this apartment resort are three swimming pools, a day spa, a hot tub, and a bar. Each apartment has its own balcony with pool or ocean views.

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FEATURED IN: Cairns Beaches: 11 Best Beaches in Cairns

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Fitzroy Island Resort

• Area: Fitzroy Island
• Best For: Great Barrier Reef island resort

If you've come to Cairns chasing tropical island escapes then Fitzroy Island is one of the best places to stay! Could you imagine snorkeling with green sea turtles right off the beach followed by sunset cocktails? A visit to Fitzroy Island is a must for anyone coming to the Tropical North!

Read: What It’s Like Staying at Fitzroy Island Resort

While you don't have to stay here to visit the island, this incredible place deserves at least two days of exploring and the resort is hands down one of the best in Cairns! But, get in quick for this one because they fill up quickly.

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Crystalbrook Riley

• Area: Cairns City
• Best For: Celebrity treatment & world-class service

Update 2023: As of January, the Crystalbrook Riley's sister resort, the Crystalbrook Bailey is now the only luxury hotel in Cairns that is dog friendly!

The Crystalbrook Riley is one of the most prominent buildings you'll spot near the waterfront in Cairns. This epic 5-star hotel features three restaurants, a lagoon pool and private beach, a day spa, and a 24-hour fitness center.

The highlight of staying at Crystalbrook is by far the service. The reviews are outstanding and definitely worth every dollar. If you stay at the Crystalbrook, make sure to head up to the rooftop bar known as Roccos. This is a famous bar in Cairns and definitely shouldn't be missed.

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Related: The Best Cairns Tours & Experiences

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Best Value Hotels & Holiday Homes in Cairns

The Oaks Hotel

• Area: Cairns Esplanade
• Best For: Staying at Cairns' newest hotel

The Oaks Hotel is Cairns' newest hotel. This accommodation option is perfectly located nearby the boardwalk and the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon.

This is a great option for those looking for a hotel in a prime spot with a resort-Esque feel without breaking the bank. Although the rooms are a little more expensive than the other value hotels on this list, the Oaks definitely makes up for it in terms of quality.  

Paradise on the Beach Resort

• Area: Palm Cove
• Best For: Beach resort at Palm Cove

If you'd prefer palm-lined beaches and waterfront restaurants to nightlife, then I highly recommend booking accommodation in Palm Cove. Paradise on the Beach is one of the best-value resorts in Palm Cove and offers beach-view studios with balconies overlooking the gardens.

Paradise on the Beach also has a pool and is close to Il Forno Pizzeria, my absolute favorite restaurant in the Far North.

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

• Area: Cairns City
• Best For: Resort feel on a budget

Located just a 10 minute drive from the city center, Cairns Colonial Club is a tropical resort you can often book for under $100! I've included it on this list of where to stay in Cairns because it has great ratings and offers excellent value for money.

This affordable resort is set on 11 acres and has 3 lagoon pools and a great free breakfast. There's also a great poolside cocktail bar that is a favorite standout in the reviews.

Cairns City Palms

• Area: Cairns City
• Best For: Great self-contained suites

Cairns City Palms is located close to most of the attractions and highlights in town. Within just 5 minutes you can find supermarkets, gyms, restaurants, bars, and restaurants. For those wondering where to stay in Cairns that offers full-sized suits and apartments, look no further.

This Cairns hotel offers great self-contained suites and apartments with all of the features. Also, there is a pool to chill by with a Balinese hut to escape the sun.

Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside

• Area: Cairns Esplanade
• Best For: Esplanade views without the price-tag

Looking for where to stay on the Cairns Esplanade without a huge price tag? Holiday Inn is a great bet, being one of the best-located hotels in the area. Each room has a balcony either overlooking the ocean or the mountains.

You'll also get to enjoy a pool, restaurant, and fitness area!

The Red Sparrow 2

• Area: Cairns City
• Best For Entire house for families looking to explore

I've added this option because I know that there are many families who would prefer to rent an entire house for their Cairns getaway. The Red Sparrow 2 is the best-rated holiday house in Cairns and offers tremendous value.

This holiday home is located just a few hundred meters from the waterfront and includes 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom with a shower, and a family room. Visitors looking to explore all of the incredible things to do in the area will love this place as there's a spot for your rental car too!

Best Budget Hostels in Cairns

Flashpackers

• Area: Palm Cove
• Best For: Beach vibe hostel

Flashpackers on Palm Cove is a great backpacker hostel with one of the best vibes in Cairns. It's located on the beachfront near the swimming nets and close to lots of bars and restaurants. There's a pool on the property and visitors can book private rooms or beds in dorms.

There's also a great common area at Flashpackers and an outside BBQ where you can meet other travelers.

Mad Monkey Backpacker Village

• Area: Cairns City
• Best For: Cheap dorms at a great location

Truthfully, Mad Monkey Backpacker Village is a perfect budget hostel in Cairns. It's great for backpackers looking for a central location with plenty of features. You can rent a bike for free and use the free fitness center!

Did I mention there was a pool too? There's a reason why Mad Monkey Backpacker Village is one of the most-booked budget hostels in Cairns!

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Tropic Days Boutique Hostel

• Area: Cairns City
• Best For: Relaxed vibe with hammocks

Tropic Days is another Cairns hostel worthy of a spot on this accommodation guide to where to stay in Cairns. Although this one is a little further out from the Esplanade, the hostel offers a free shuttle bus service. Guests can also enjoy a free breakfast and relaxing garden vibes.

You'll also find a pool at Tropic Days and the reviews rave about the vibe. If you're looking for a chill place to meet other travelers in Cairns, then consider the Tropic Days Boutique Hostel!

Gilligan's Backpackers

• Area: Cairns City
• Best For: Great location and awesome backpacker vibe

I've listed Gilligan's Backpackers above as the best budget backpacker hostel on this list of where to stay in Cairns. With so many great hostels, it was hard to pick one. However, Gilligan's stands out for its great range of rooms and its epic lagoon pool.

There's always a great vibe at Gilligan's and the kitchen, pool, and lounge area are all great places to meet people. Also, the location is top-notch. You can easily walk to The Esplanade and all of the great bars and restaurants in the city.

Traveller's Oasis

• Area: Cairns City
• Best For: Super cheap double rooms close to town

Traveller's Oasis offers some of the best budget rooms for accommodation in Cairns. The rooms are definitely on the low-budget end of the spectrum, that's why I've listed the Traveller's Oasis as a budget hostel.

However, it isn't strictly a hostel. While they do offer very cheap dorm rooms, you can also pick up great value double rooms, often for under $50 a night.

The location of this hotel is excellent, being only 10 minutes walk from The Esplanade. Also, the grounds have a pool and offer an airport shuffle. If you're looking for where to stay in Cairns on a budget, consider checking out the Traveller's Oasis!