Where to Stay in Cairns: Best Areas and Hotels

Best areas to stay in Cairns

Cairns CBD and Esplanade

This is the Cairns most visitors picture: a wide waterfront promenade, the free saltwater Lagoon, the Reef Fleet Terminal for reef and island trips, and the Night Markets and restaurants all within a few minutes’ walk of each other. If it’s your first time in Cairns or you don’t have a car, this is the best place to stay – it’s actually the only area I stay in Cairns when I visit! 

Northern Cairns Esplanade

Head north along the waterfront, past the Lagoon, and the pace drops noticeably. The stretch near Cairns Hospital is quieter but still walkable to the centre and marina (though it’ll take you 15 to 25 minutes on foot). There are still some great hotels here, as well as self-contained accommodation. This is a great area for families without straying too far from the Esplanade altogether.

Northern Beaches (Palm Cove, Trinity Beach and Clifton Beach)

For a beach base (because there’s no beach in Cairns city itself), the northern beaches – Palm Cove, Trinity Beach and Clifton Beach – are the better call. Expect resorts and self-contained apartments set right on the sand, plus a handful of good local restaurants. You’ll want a car though: reaching central Cairns takes 20 to 35 minutes. This is a great area to base yourself if you’re staying a little longer or you’re not so concerned about being in the heart of the city.

✪ I actually love staying in Port Douglas, about an hour’s drive north of Cairns. It’s smaller and has a lovely country town feel, and there are beaches right in town. If that appeals more, check out my full guide to where to stay in Port Douglas. ✪

Where to stay in Cairns

Here’s a summary of what I think are the best hotels in Cairns. Read on for a more detailed overview of each option.

Hotel	Area	Price range	Check prices
Pacific Hotel Cairns	Cairns CBD and Esplanade	$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort	Cairns CBD and Esplanade	$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Mantra Esplanade Cairns	Cairns CBD and Esplanade	$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns	Cairns CBD and Esplanade	$$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Hilton Cairns	Cairns CBD and Esplanade	$$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns	Northern Cairns Esplanade	$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Crystalbrook Riley	Northern Cairns Esplanade	$$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Mantra Amphora	Palm Cove	$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore	Palm Cove	$$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Sea Change Beachfront Apartments	Trinity Beach	$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Gilligan’s Hotel & Resort	Cairns CBD	$	CHECK RATES HERE
Little Drifter Cairns	Cairns CBD	$	CHECK RATES HERE
Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut	Woree (15 mins drive to Cairns city)	$	CHECK RATES HERE
Cairns Holiday Park	Manunda (Northern Cairns)	$	CHECK RATES HERE

Where to stay in Cairns CBD and Esplanade

Pacific Hotel Cairns

⭐️ Rating: 8.1 ⭐️ | Best central all-rounder

We stayed at the Pacific Hotel Cairns on our most recent trip (when we came through on our Cairns to Cape Tribulation road trip). It’s right opposite the waterfront, about five minutes’ walk from the Reef Fleet Terminal, the Esplanade and the Lagoon. We were only in Cairns for one night, so we wanted to be right in the heart of the city. The Night Markets and central Cairns restaurants are just as close, so we didn’t even need a car.

The outdoor pool with its tropical terrace is a nice spot to unwind after a day exploring Cairns or out on the water. Plenty of rooms come with private balconies – book one of these if you can, because some open onto harbour, mountain or city views. If I were booking again I’d choose one of these (we booked one of the Executive King Rooms, which didn’t have an outdoor area). 

We ate breakfast out rather than at the hotel, so I can’t vouch for the breakfast buffet myself, though the onsite Bushfire Flame Grill restaurant serves Brazilian-inspired churrasco dinners in the evenings, which sounds delicious! There’s a lounge where you can get a coffee and some biscuits, which is a nice addition.

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

⭐️ Rating: 8.1 ⭐️ | Best family resort in Cairns

If you want resort facilities right in the heart of Cairns, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort is the pick. Our friends with kids always stay here and they absolutely love it!

There’s a huge lagoon-style pool with a sandy edge, a children’s pool and a swim-up bar – it’s one of the more convincing “tropical resort” experiences you’ll find in the middle of Cairns. 

Family rooms and child-friendly dining make it a sensible base if you’re travelling with kids, and Moku Bar & Grill covers breakfast and dinner, including outdoor seating. 

It’s walkable to the Night Markets, the Esplanade, Cairns Aquarium and plenty of restaurants, though it’s a few blocks back from the Reef Fleet Terminal, so it’s not as convenient for boat departures as some of the other hotels on this list. 

One thing I think is important to note is that despite what some photos may imply, this isn’t a beachfront hotel (there’s no beach in Cairns!) – the sandy area is part of the hotel pool, not a swimming beach.

Mantra Esplanade Cairns

⭐️ Rating: 8.1 ⭐️ | Best central self-contained apartment in Cairns

For a self-contained stay right in the middle of everything, Mantra Esplanade is a great choice. It’s directly opposite the Lagoon and a few minutes from the Night Markets and the Reef Fleet Terminal. 

It’s got both conventional hotel rooms alongside one, two and three-bedroom apartments – and each has a balcony, which I think is a must-have in a tropical location like Cairns! I recommend booking one of the apartments if you can – the extra space and self-catering facilities are worth it. 

There’s an outdoor lagoon-style pool, a whirlpool spa, a gym and tropical gardens, plus complimentary parking (although spaces are limited), which is a great perk this close to the centre.

The building does show its age here and there, though it’s kept reasonably well maintained. There’s no restaurant or room service on site, though you’re surrounded by places to eat – and you can do your own cooking if you get one of the apartments.

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

⭐️ Rating: 8.4 ⭐️ | Best waterfront views in Cairns

Cairns’ Shangri-La is directly at Marlin Marina, only steps from the Reef Fleet Terminal. Many rooms overlook the marina, Trinity Inlet or the surrounding mountains – and I’d pay the difference for one of these over a standard room, since the view really is the point of staying here!

The outdoor pool is awesome, with a series of different pools sitting among tropical gardens (and of course there’s a poolside bar). The Backyard restaurant does all-day waterfront dining, and the hotel is connected straight into The Pier shopping and dining precinct. It’s an easy walk to the Lagoon, the Night Markets and central Cairns restaurants, too. 

Some rooms and common areas do feel less polished than the Shangri-La name suggests, and quality varies noticeably by room type, so my tip is that it’s worth booking a marina-facing room rather than the cheapest option.

Hilton Cairns

⭐️ Rating: 8.4 ⭐️ | Best waterfront hotel with room balconies

Hilton Cairns has an absolutely perfect waterfront position beside Trinity Inlet, about three minutes’ walk from the Reef Fleet Terminal, and every room has a balcony – a lovely bonus for Cairns hotels. The more expensive rooms also have water views. 

I’ve stayed here many times when I was visiting Cairns for business conferences, and I think the Hilton Cairns is a solid choice if you want a full-service hotel from a brand you already know.

There’s a large outdoor pool with a poolside bar, a 24-hour fitness centre, on-site dining and executive rooms (many of which come with lounge access). Connecting rooms and cots make it workable for families too, and it’s an easy walk to the Lagoon, the casino, restaurants and the Night Markets.

One thing to note is that not all bookings include breakfast, so this – along with parking costs, if you need it – can add up. Some parts of the building and rooms are a little dated, though the hotel overall is well maintained.

→ READ NEXT: The ultimate Cairns to Cape Tribulation road trip

Hotels in northern Cairns Esplanade

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

⭐️ Rating: 7.7 ⭐️ | Best resort on the Northern Esplanade

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns is on the quieter northern stretch of the Esplanade, across from the waterfront walking path and close to Muddy’s Playground.

It also has more recreation facilities than most central Cairns hotels – three swimming pools (including a lap pool), plus two tennis courts.

Both hotel rooms and holiday apartments are on offer, many with private balconies over the Coral Sea, mountains or city, and there’s an on-site restaurant and bar if you don’t feel like walking into town for dinner.

The trade-off for the quieter setting is distance: you’re around 20 minutes’ walk from the marina and the southern end of the CBD, and the immediate area has fewer restaurants than the central Esplanade. But I really like this area for something a little quieter than being right on the Esplanade.

Crystalbrook Riley

⭐️ Rating: 8.7 ⭐️ | Best contemporary luxury hotel

Crystalbrook Riley is one of the best luxury hotels in Cairns, built around a large lagoon-style pool with an artificial beach, cabanas and poolside service. In my opinion, it’s worth being out of the central part of Cairns to stay in such a beautiful hotel. 

The hotel has the Eléme Day Spa, a 24-hour gym, and three restaurants and bars, including Rocco, Cairns’ highest rooftop bar.

Rooms span ocean, resort and city views, plus larger family rooms and suites, and you’re only about 15 minutes’ walk from the Reef Fleet Terminal. Personally, I’d book one of the ocean-facing rooms.

It’s usually one of the pricier hotels in Cairns (it is a Crystalbrook hotel, after all), but if you want a special stay in Cairns where you know the service is going to be top-notch, this is a hotel I’d definitely recommend.

Best hotels in Cairns northern beaches

If you’re staying in Cairns a little longer, or you want to be right on a beach, Palm Cove and Trinity Beach are two excellent (although different) bases. Palm Cove (you could certainly argue this isn’t even in Cairns, but I like to give you options!) is more polished and restaurant-oriented, while Trinity Beach is quieter and generally better value for apartments. Palm Cove is around 30 minutes from Cairns, while Trinity Beach is about 25 minutes, so you’ll need a car.

Mantra Amphora

⭐️ Rating: 8.0 ⭐️ | Best apartment in Palm Cove

Mantra Amphora is a great option if you want to stay in Palm Cove, particularly if you’re travelling with family or prefer the space and convenience of an apartment. Located directly across the road from Palm Cove Beach, the resort is right in the middle of the village’s restaurant and café strip, so you can easily walk out for breakfast, dinner or a stroll along the waterfront.

Accommodation ranges from hotel rooms to one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The apartments are the best choice if you’re staying for several nights, with kitchens, living areas, laundry facilities and balconies giving you more room to spread out. 

There’s also a large lagoon-style swimming pool, a separate children’s pool and an on-site restaurant, making it easy to spend a relaxed day at the resort between exploring the region.

I think this hotel is in an excellent location, with spacious apartments, attractive pool and helpful staff.

Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore

⭐️ Rating: 8.7 ⭐️ | Best luxury apartment in Palm Cove

If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay in Palm Cove, Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore is one of the best options to consider. The resort is directly on the beachfront, with spacious one, two and three-bedroom suites that offer kitchens and living areas, so it’s a good choice for families, groups or couples who want more space than a standard hotel room.

The resort has three swimming pools, including an adults-only pool, plus an on-site spa and beachfront restaurant. 

I think the size of the apartments here are generous, and the direct beach access, location and attentive service from staff make this an excellent stay in Palm Cove. 

One thing to note is that, although Alamanda has a premium feel, some suites are showing their age, so make sure you check the latest reviews before booking a specific room.

Sea Change Beachfront Apartments

⭐️ Rating: 9.1 ⭐️ | Best apartment in Trinity Beach

Sea Change Beachfront Apartments is a standout option in Trinity Beach if you’re looking for spacious, self-contained accommodation right by the beach. The apartments face the Coral Sea, with private balconies or terraces that make the most of the ocean views. Choose from one to four-bedroom apartments, all designed for a comfortable, home-away-from-home stay.

Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities and generous living areas. There’s also a swimming pool, landscaped tropical gardens, complimentary Wi-Fi and on-site parking. 

The beach is just across the esplanade, while Trinity Beach’s cafés, restaurants and pubs are within easy walking distance.

While there’s limited hotel-style services and no substantial on-site dining offering, staying here is more about having your own comfortable beachside apartment than a full-service resort experience.

→ READ NEXT: The best things to do in Port Douglas

Cairns hostels and budget accommodation

Gilligan’s Hotel & Resort

⭐️ Rating: 7.8 ⭐️ | Best party hostel in Cairns

Gilligan’s is one of the most famous hostels in Cairns – if not in Australia. This is fundamentally a party hostel, and noise and late-night activity come with the territory, so it’s definitely not the right pick if you want a quiet base. 

The hostel is in a great location, within walking distance of Cairns Central, the Esplanade and the Reef Fleet Terminal, with dormitories as well as private hotel-style rooms, all with air conditioning and private ensuites. 

The large lagoon-style pool and busy pool bar are the social hub, and multiple bars, live entertainment and an on-site nightclub mean regular events make it easy to meet people if you’re travelling solo. There are also communal kitchens, a gym and 24-hour reception.

If you’re in Cairns to party and meet people, Gilligan’s is where it’s at!

Little Drifter Cairns

⭐️ Rating: 8.1 ⭐️ | Best stylish, low-key hostel in Cairns

Little Drifter is a newer name in Cairns, having reopened under this brand in 2025 after a major refurbishment, so it feels considerably fresher than many of the city’s long-established hostels. 

It’s in the CBD, about five minutes’ walk from the Esplanade Lagoon and the Night Markets, with recently refurbished rooms and communal areas throughout. Dormitory beds come with privacy curtains, reading lights and lockers, and there are private rooms too, for anyone who wants the hostel atmosphere without sharing a dorm. Air conditioning (a necessity in Cairns) and a communal kitchen round it out.

It feels more relaxed and design-conscious here than Gilligan’s – a good option if you want to meet people without staying in Cairns’ biggest party hostel!

A few downsides: kitchen storage can be limited, and reception currently closes overnight between 11pm and 8am, so sort out your arrival time in advance if you’re getting in late.

→ READ NEXT: Where to stay in Port Douglas

Caravan parks in Cairns

Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Resort

⭐️ Rating: 9.0 ⭐️ | Best holiday park in Cairns

If you want a destination in its own right rather than just somewhere to park a caravan, Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut has an extensive range of family facilities – multiple pools, waterslides and splash areas, plus mini golf, tennis, playgrounds, pedal carts, bike tracks and outdoor movies. 

As well as caravan and camping sites, there are cabins and villas with air conditioning, private bathrooms and balconies. There are camp kitchens, barbecue facilities and laundry amenities for everyone else.

It’s in Woree, south of central Cairns, so it isn’t walkable to the Esplanade or the marina, which means you’ll need to drive or Uber/taxi it everywhere. It’s also pretty busy and activity-heavy, so it may not suit couples who are after a quiet caravan park experience.

Cairns Holiday Park

⭐️ Rating: 7.9 ⭐️ | Best budget caravan park in Cairns

If you want something more affordable and simpler, Cairns Holiday Park is in Manunda, considerably closer to the CBD than Cairns Coconut. 

It has a mix of cabins, studios and camping or caravan sites, plus an outdoor pool, camp kitchen, barbecues, laundry facilities and free Wi-Fi. 

It isn’t within comfortable walking distance of the main tourist precinct for most visitors, and the recreation facilities are much more limited than Cairns Coconut’s. The suburban setting is functional rather than scenic, and the cabins are relatively simple, so set your expectations accordingly.

But overall, this is a well-located, quiet caravan park with all the amenities you’ll need.

→ READ NEXT: What to know before hiring a Jucy campervan

Where to stay in Cairns: Final thoughts

As one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, Cairns has plenty of accommodation options to suit all kinds of trips and all types of budgets. While the Cairns CBD and the Esplanade area is the most convenient (and where I always stay), you can find some quieter spots around Cairns and further north that are just as fantastic for a stay of a night or two or an entire week.

FAQs: Cairns accommodation

Do you need a car in Cairns? 

If you’re staying in Cairns CBD and Esplanade, no – the Lagoon, Reef Fleet Terminal, Night Markets and most restaurants are all within walking distance. Once you move north to the Northern Esplanade, Palm Cove, Trinity Beach or Clifton Beach, a car (or arranged transfers) is useful, since you’re 15 minutes or more from the centre.

How walkable is the Esplanade? 

Very. The Esplanade boardwalk runs along the waterfront past the Lagoon, and most of the CBD hotels, restaurants and the Reef Fleet Terminal sit within a five to ten-minute walk of each other. It gets quieter and less built-up the further north you go.

Where should first-time visitors stay? 

I think Cairns CBD and Esplanade are the best areas to stay for your first visit. It puts you closest to reef and island departures, the Night Markets and the widest choice of restaurants, and you won’t need a car for your stay.

Is it worth basing yourself in Palm Cove or Trinity Beach instead of central Cairns? 

If you’re staying more than a few nights and want a beach holiday rather than a city base, yes. Just plan on hiring a car, since you’re 20 to 35 minutes from central Cairns and the Reef Fleet Terminal.

How far is Port Douglas from Cairns? 

Port Douglas is about an hour’s drive from Cairns. It’s a popular alternative base for reaching the reef and the Daintree, and I’ve written a separate guide to where to stay in Port Douglas if that’s on your radar.

I hope this guide to where to stay in Cairns will help you plan your stay in this popular Australian city. Got any questions? Let me know in the comments below.

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Read next

Before you go, you might like these Australia travel articles:

• Things to Do in Port Douglas: What to See, Do and Eat in Australia’s Favourite Town
• The Best Things to See and Do in Mossman Gorge
• How to Plan a Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas
• Where to Stay in Port Douglas: Accommodation for All Budgets
• The Ultimate Cairns to Cape Tribulation Road Trip Itinerary
• What to Know When Booking a Jucy Campervan in Australia

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