The Luxury Hotel Guide 
A list by Tomas Mazowski.
This guide was last updated in December 2022. Hey! When I travel I love to stay at luxurious hotels - especially the kind of places that offer over the top extras and really spoil their guests with great service, nice spas, awesome restaurants and beautiful views. What more can you want? To save some time, I've put together this list of my favourite 5-star hotels and resorts in Cairns and Northern Beaches. I hope you will like it!
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1 Crystalbrook Flynn Cairns, Australia
See available rooms
Hotel.
Located in Cairns, 1.1 km from Cairns Station, Crystalbrook Flynn provides accommodation with free bikes, private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre. With a restaurant, the 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation features room service and a 24-hour front desk for guests.
At the hotel, each room has a desk and a flat-screen TV. Each room is equipped with a coffee machine, while certain rooms include a balcony and others also offer city views. At Crystalbrook Flynn rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels.
A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation.
Popular points of interest near Crystalbrook Flynn include Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns Regional Gallery and The Cairns Civic Theater. The nearest airport is Cairns Airport, 7 km from the hotel.
Guest review score 8.9,
rooms from around 275 AUD.
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2 The Reef House Palm Cove - Adults Only Palm Cove, Australia
See available rooms Hotel.
Boasting 3 swimming pools, 2 spas and tranquil tropical gardens, The Reef House Boutique Hotel & Spa - Adults & Couples Boutique Tropical Escapes is located on a beachfront in Palm Cove. Guests enjoy luxury accommodation and a variety of ways to relax. The Reef House Restaurant offers panoramic ocean views and serves Mediterranean, Asian and Australian cuisine.
The Reef House Boutique Hotel & Spa - Adults & Couples Boutique Tropical Escapes provides individually decorated rooms. Some rooms include private hot tubs or furnished verandas with views of the pool, gardens, and beaches.
Guests are invited to use the Honesty Bar in the Brigadier Lounge and can enjoy free Brigadier's Punch in the evening.
Guest review score 8.8,
rooms from around 595 AUD.
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3 Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Hotel.
The 5-star Shangri-La Hotel offers luxury accommodation with stunning views of the Cairns Marlin Marina. It features an outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi internet access.
Shangri-La is located just a 10-minute drive from Cairns Airport. The Great Barrier Reef Departure Terminal and the Pier Shopping Centre are located within 3 minutes’ walking distance.
All rooms feature a private balcony overlooking a tropical garden, Trinity Bay or Marlin Marina. Flat-screen satellite TV and comfortable bathrobes and slippers are included. Other features include a laptop safe and minibar.
Guests at The Marina Shangri-La can work out at the well-equipped fitness centre They can also make use of the complimentary shoeshine service, or get travel advice from the tour desk.
The Backyard is a vibrant, relaxed venue with a distinct local North Queensland personality. The bar staff can share their local area and knowledge. With a choice of seating areas at the bar, on the deck or garden, guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of the waterfront, watch the boats or relax and take in the marina views and mountain range beyond. The outdoor bar is the service point of the garden area, giving customers a unique outdoor experience year round. The venue features innovative drinks and creative dishes.
Guest review score 8.4,
rooms from around 280 AUD.
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4 Crystalbrook Riley Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Hotel.
Centrally located at the northern end of Cairns iconic waterfront Esplanade, Crystalbrook Riley features 311 stylish rooms and suites, three restaurants and bars including Cairns’ highest rooftop bar, Rocco, an expansive lagoon pool and private beach, the stunning Eléme Day Spa, functions and events spaces for up to 400 people and a 24-hour fitness centre.
This 5-star property is set a short distance from attractions such as the Centre of Contemporary Arts, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, and Cairns Hospital. The property is a 10-minute walk from the Great Barrier Reef Departure Terminal and a 7-minute drive from Flecker Botanic Gardens. The nearest airport is Cairns Airport, 5 km from the property.
Most of Riley’s contemporary rooms and suites have spacious balconies. Family rooms have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, while suites and rooms have a mix of urban, resort and sea views. Each room features its own Apple iPad control centre complete with healthy living apps, a 55-inch Smart TV, Staycast by Google for video streaming, access to hundreds of complimentary movies and box sets, blackout blinds, a rainforest shower head and Nespresso coffee machine with recyclable pods. All public and in-room areas are equipped with free Wi-Fi.
Breakfast is served daily at the property. Enjoy modern dining at Paper Crane restaurant and bar or indulge in 24-hour in-room dining from 6 November, 2018. Greenfields and Rocco, Cairns’ highest rooftop bar, will be open for guests to enjoy at the property from December 2018.
You can lounge poolside in a cabana or at Riley’s man-made beach, or do laps in the lap pool. There is also a 24-hour fitness centre at the property. Watch one of 200 free recent release movies or stream straight from your in-room Apple iPad. You can also book your trip to the Reef or beyond from the interactive lobby tour space.
Guest review score 8.7,
rooms from around 325 AUD.
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5 Pullman Reef Hotel Casino Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Hotel.
Featuring elegant rooms with a spa bath and a balcony overlooking Cairns or Trinity Inlet, Pullman Reef Hotel is only 250 metres from Cairns Esplanade. It features a casino and 4 bars with live music.
The modern air-conditioned rooms have flat-screen cable TV and a tea and coffee maker. Each room has a large bathroom with luxury C.O. Bigelow toiletries.
Cairns Wildlife Dome, with koalas, wallabies and crocodiles, is located in the hotel complex. Pullman Reef Hotel Casino is 5 minutes’ walk from Cairns Convention Centre, and 15 minutes’ drive from Cairns Airport.
Pullman Reef Hotel features a rooftop swimming pool, spa pool and sauna. The tour desk can arrange activities such as diving and snorkeling, and day trips to the Great Barrier Reef.
The award-winning Tamarind Restaurant features Thai-inspired fusion cuisine. Flinders Bar & Grill offers light meals in a casual setting.
Guest review score 8.7,
rooms from around 254 AUD.
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6 Peppers Beach Club & Spa Palm Cove, Australia
See available rooms Resort.
Located directly on the beach, Peppers Beach Club is a luxury resort in Palm Cove, offering elegant rooms, great leisure facilities and a fantastic spa pool in a tropical garden setting. WiFi and in-house movies are included.
Peppers Beach Club and Spa is now providing guests with access to the latest release movies with two latest release movie channels and a designated children’s movie channel.
Choose between comfortable guest rooms or the larger suites which have a separate living/dining area and a fully equipped kitchen. All units have a balcony or terrace overlooking the ocean, pools or gardens.
Facilities at Peppers include 3 swimming pools, a tennis court and a fitness centre. The beachside restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves modern Australian cuisine.
Peppers Beach Club & Spa is within easy reach of the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. A great choice of day trips are available, as well as scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and rainforest walks.
Guest review score 8.1,
rooms from around 275 AUD.
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7 Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa Palm Cove, Australia
See available rooms Resort.
The 5-star Pullman Palm Cove Resort & Spa is located on the beachfront of Palm Cove, a 25-minute drive from Cairns. It offers luxurious studios and apartments and features a spa and an outdoor swimming pool.
Guests can choose from a wide range of health and beauty treatments at Vie Spa, which has outdoor verandas leading onto a man-made rain forest.
Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa provides fully furnished studio rooms and apartments with spa baths and private balconies or terraces. Some apartments feature luxurious swim-outs and private plunge pools.
Temple of Taste serves modern Australian cuisine in a stylish setting. The Lagoon Bar is surrounded by water features and swimming pools, and offers a large selection of beverages.
Pullman Palm Cove Resort provides a great base from where guests can start exploring the Daintree Rainforest and The Great Barrier Reef. Cairns Airport is only 17 km away.
Guest review score 8.1,
rooms from around 242 AUD.
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8 Hilton Cairns Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Hotel.
Experience a sense of luxury at Hilton Cairns, located on the Cairns Esplanade. Boasting an absolute waterfront location, this property is located just 2 minutes’ walk from the Reef Departure Terminal and a 5-minute walk to the CBD and Cairns Convention Centre.
Hilton Cairns offers the most recently refurbished rooms in Cairns, all with their own private balcony overlooking mountains and rainforests, Trinity Inlet or the vibrant city skyline.
Features at the property include a spa pool and an outdoor lagoon-style pool where guests can relax and soak up the beautiful weather that Tropical North Queensland has to offer. Guests can enjoy the pool bar, or make use of ample soft seating, deck chairs and umbrellas around the pool.
Following a busy day of sight-seeing, relax in the hotel's lobby bar - Gin Social - and enjoy the convenience of the hotel’s 2 restaurants with water views. The award-winning Mondo on the Waterfront offers a unique al fresco dining experience right on the water’s edge. Try the famous fajitas or perhaps treat yourself to a decadent Mondo BBQ. Signature restaurant offers diners a more refined menu, with local produce and international inspirations.
For those looking for the flexibility of dining in room, the hotel has an extensive Room Service Menu, as well as a Grab and Go outlet for all your essential minibar items!
Cairns Airport is a 15-minute drive away.
Guest review score 7.9,
rooms from around 200 AUD.
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9 Pullman Cairns International Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Hotel.
Pullman Cairns International is located in the centre of Cairns. All rooms have large balconies overlooking the harbour or mountains. Executive rooms offer a separate living and dining area.
The largest guest rooms in Cairns at over 40 square metres, beautifully appointed with premium décor, amenities and private balconies with views of the harbour or hinterland.
The outdoor swimming pool is surrounded by tropical gardens. Rejuvenate at the deluxe Vie Spa, offering body scrubs, massages, men's treatments and spa packages, in one of 10 treatment rooms.
Coco's Restaurant offers hot and cold buffet breakfast options and an à la carte dinner menu utilising the region’s best quality produce. The Lobby Bar serves exotic cocktails and delicious light snacks.
The Pullman Cairns is a 5-minute walk from Cairns Convention Centre. Cairns Pier is only 500 metres away.
Guest review score 7.7,
rooms from around 213 AUD.
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10 Crystalbrook Bailey Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Aparthotel.
Crystalbrook Bailey features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and bar in Cairns. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has city views and free WiFi. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk and room service for guests.
At the hotel, every room has a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The units will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Cairns Convention Centre, The Center of Contemporary Arts and Cairns Regional Gallery. The nearest airport is Cairns Airport, 7 km from Crystalbrook Bailey.
Guest review score 8.7,
rooms from around 225 AUD.
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11 Bellevue At Trinity Beach Trinity Beach, Australia
See available rooms Aparthotel.
The Bellevue offers stunning 180-degrees views over the Coral Sea. An outdoor pool facing the ocean and en-suited stylish accommodation are some of the 5-star conveniences of this beach front resort.
The bright and immaculate apartments of the Bellevue At Trinity Beach feature a hot tub and large balconies. They all have a generously outfitted kitchen with granite benches, dishwasher and washing machine. There is a modern lounge area with flat screen cable TV, CD and DVD player. It is possible to have Wi-Fi internet connection.
Guests have access to the beach, can rent a bicycle directly at the property or make use of the in-house library. There is a groceries home-delivery service and a variety of nearby dining opportunities along the coast.
The Bellevue At Trinity Beach feature free parking with security gates and a car rental to explore Queensland World Heritage coral reefs and rainforests. Cairns Wildlife Dome is 15-minute drive away as is Cairns's Pier Shopping Centre. Cairns International Airport is also easily accessible.
Guest review score 9.3
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12 Vue Apartments Trinity Beach Trinity Beach, Australia
See available rooms Aparthotel.
Luxurious 5-star water-front resort with direct beach access and a horizon pool just 15 minutes' drive from Cairns International Airport. Vue Apartments offer extra spacious and stylish self-contained units, all with private balconies offering stunning views of the Coral Sea.
The apartments include a flat-screen TV, internet connection, CD and DVD player. Each of the units has a bath and is equipped with a generously appointed kitchen with granite bench, oven and microwave. They offer a contemporary decor with designer linens.
Guests can eat at the Trinity Beach Hotel, right next to the Vue Apartments, which features a restaurant and a bar. Barbeque pavilions can be found in the pool area.
Vue Apartments Trinity Beach is located 20 minutes north of Cairns. The resort provides a car rental and a tour desk to explore world-famous Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. A private car park can be found in the basement and is free of charge.
Guest review score 9.3
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13 Waters Edge Apartment Cairns Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Aparthotel.
Waters Edge Apartments offer luxury, spacious, self-catering accommodation on the seafront of Cairns, a vibrant, tropical city with a relaxed atmosphere and easy access to the Great Barrier Reef.
Enjoy stylish living in the minimalist Waters Edge Apartment Cairns. Each apartment offers home comforts, including 2 bathrooms (one with spa bath), full laundry and ironing facilities, and security intercom. The modern audio-visual equipment and Wi-Fi connection complete the picture.
A fully equipped kitchen with granite and stainless steel fittings allows you to prepare your own meals. You can enjoy them on your large balcony with either esplanade or sea views, or on your private pool terrace. Alternatively, you can stroll down the Esplanade Boardwalk and try one of the restaurants specialising in seafood and authentic Australian cuisine.
Whether your idea of a perfect holiday is soaking up the sun, combining retail therapy with great nightlife, or being active with water sports, you can experience it in Cairns. A swimming lagoon with barbecue areas, designed in the shape of Queensland, is the latest hit attraction.
From here you can get to the Great Barrier Reef in less than 1 hour by boat or explore the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest.
Guest review score 9.3
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14 Sea Change Beachfront Apartments Trinity Beach, Australia
See available rooms Aparthotel.
Sea Change Beachfront Apartments is situated on Trinity Beach, just 15 minutes north of Cairns. It offers luxurious 5-star apartments with breathtaking views of the Coral Sea from each private balcony. Guests enjoy free WiFi and free on-site parking.
Each spacious apartment features a spa bath and a fully equipped kitchen with an espresso coffee machine. There is a separate dining and lounge area with an LCD TV offering 65 channels. Laundry facilities provided.
Guests can relax in the outdoor swimming pool or covered spa pool, surrounded by tropical landscaped gardens. Sea Change also offers a tour desk, barbecue area, and a library of DVDs and books.
Free secure parking is provided.
Popular tours to the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda Skyrail and other activities depart from Trinity Beach daily. There are many restaurants, cafes and other shops within walking distance.
Guest review score 9.2,
rooms from around 380 AUD.
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15 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Holiday park.
Set amongst 28 acres of landscaped tropical gardens, this award-wining resort features a family friendly water park, plus tennis courts and mini golf. Each accommodation unit includes cooking facilities.
Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort is 7 minutes' drive from Cairns city centre and a local bus service available on the doorstep (fees apply) for guests. It is a 5-minute drive to Cairns Golf Course and 12 minutes’ drive to Cairns Pier.
Guests have access to 2 large swimming pools with waterslides, plus 2 spa pools. Free on-site activities include volleyball, badminton, basketball and a children’s adventure playground with jumping pillows.
All accommodation includes a private balcony, air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Private bathroom facilities and free parking at your door are provided.
Guest review score 9.0,
rooms from around 149 AUD.
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16 Travellers Oasis Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Hostel.
Set in the centre of Cairns and located opposite the Cairns Central Shopping Centre and Cairns train station, Travellers Oasis offers accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, with hammocks to relax in. It is a 10-minute walk from The Esplanade and The Pier in Cairns. Free unlimited WiFi is offered.
Travellers Oasis offers spacious dormitory rooms as well as private double, twin and single guest rooms. Each room includes fans, bed linen, towels and a personal safety deposit box. Guests have access to shared bathroom facilities. Air-conditioning is available for an additional cost.
The property offers a shared kitchen to prepare a meal and also provides free tea and coffee. You can enjoy the free movies available to watch in the shared lounge area.
Coin-operated laundry facilities are available for guests and free luggage storage is provided. The tour desk can arrange trips to the Great Barrier Reef and tours of the surrounding areas.
A variety of restaurants and bars are a short walk from Travellers Oasis. The nearest airport is Cairns Airport, 6 km from the property.
Guest review score 9.0,
rooms from around 32 AUD.
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17 Vision Apartments Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Aparthotel.
Situated on the Cairns Esplanade, this 5 star property features self-contained apartments. Guests enjoy 2 swimming pools, a sauna and a fitness centre.
Each apartment features a spacious living room which opens onto a balcony or patio with an outdoor setting. All apartments include a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities and satellite TV.
Guests can relax on the sun loungers by the pool, surrounded by a lovely palm tree garden. There is a tour desk, massage service and BBQ area available for guest use.
Vision Apartments are just 100 metres from restaurants, shops and bars. It is a 5-minute walk from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal and Cairns Cruise Ship Terminal. Cairns Airport is 7 minutes’ drive away.
Guest review score 9.0
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18 Travellers Paradise Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Hostel.
Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, Travellers Paradise offers accommodation in a historical, heritage listed building in Cairns, 1.2 km from Cairns Convention Centre. Free street parking is available. It is located opposite Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Coles Supermarket and the train station. Free unlimited WiFi is available.
Some rooms have ceilings up to 4.2 metres. Every room includes a shared bathroom. There is a shared 24-hour kitchen with free tea and coffee at the property. All rooms feature air-conditioning and do not require coins to operate.
Guests can enjoy a TV room, small library, large swimming pool and unlimited internet. Laundry facilities are available.
Guests of Travellers Paradise can approach staff at the extensive tour desk for arrangements of reef trips, rainforest tours, Kuranda scenic railway, skydiving, and white water rafting.
The Event Cinemas are 400 metres from Travellers Paradise, while Cairns Regional Gallery is 1 km away. The nearest airport is Cairns Airport, 6 km from the property.
Guest review score 8.8,
rooms from around 67 AUD.
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19 Cairns Aquarius Cairns, Australia
See available rooms Aparthotel.
Located on The Esplanade, Cairns Aquarius boasts 2 outdoor pools, a tennis court and a hot tub. It offers self-contained apartments with free Wi-Fi and full or partial ocean views.
Cairns Aquarius Apartments are just 5 minutes’ walk from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, where reef and island adventure cruises depart. Cairns Train Station is a 5-minute drive, and Cairns Airport is a 10-minute drive away.
The air-conditioned apartments have a fully equipped kitchen with a stove, a microwave and a refrigerator. Each apartment has laundry facilities and a living room with flat-screen satellite TV and a DVD player.
Guests can laze in the sauna, or enjoy a meal in the BBQ area. The hot tub is the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing.
Guest review score 8.7
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20 Reeflections Holiday Villas Clifton Beach, Australia
See available rooms Holiday home.
Set 600 metres from Clifton Beach, Reeflections Holiday Villas offers an outdoor swimming pool, a garden and air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free WiFi.
Offering pool or sea views, each unit comes with a kitchen, a satellite flat-screen TV and Blu-ray player, wardrobe, a washing machine and a private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer. There is a seating and a dining area in all units.
The holiday home offers a barbecue.
Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at Reeflections Holiday Villas.
Kewarra Beach is less than 1 km from the accommodation, while Palm Cove Beach is a 19-minute walk away. The nearest airport is Cairns, 21 km from Reeflections Holiday Villas, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Guest review score 9.1
I try my best to keep this guide up to date and I last refreshed it in December 2022. Did I miss a luxury hotel that should be on this list? Send me an email and let me know!
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