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1,828 reviews

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

209-217 Esplanade, Cairns, 4870, Australia

Choose dates to view prices

Restaurant

Outdoor swimming pool

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Room service

Free shuttle

Air conditioning

Bar

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Cairns Harbourside Hotel is a 4-star hotel in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, located just 1mi from the city center at 209-217 Esplanade. Prices start from $83 per night, making this harborside escape an accessible base for exploring the area.

Amenities sparkle with an outdoor swimming pool, an on-site restaurant, and free Wi-Fi plus private on-site parking. Free shuttle service is available, along with a 24-hour front desk, terrace, balcony with mountain views, and rooms equipped with kitchenware and kitchenette. Non-smoking rooms, wheelchair accessibility, live music (free), and free beach umbrellas and chairs add to the vibe; some services like a business center and meeting facilities, tennis court, and horseback riding may carry extra charges.

With 1,828 reviews, Cairns Harbourside Hotel invites travelers to discover a harborside base in Cairns.

On-site Harbourside Bar and Kitchen adds a flexible dining vibe that fits every mood, from family-friendly and traditional to modern and romantic. The outdoor pool offers a sunny retreat with a shallow end and views to soak in after a day of exploring the area. The harbor-side atmosphere keeps evenings relaxed and inviting.

With 1,828 reviews, Cairns Harbourside Hotel stands as a popular harborside base for travelers looking to soak in Cairns’ waterfront charm. A free shuttle service helps guests move around the city with ease, paired with private on-site parking for convenient stays. A terrace and a balcony with mountain views provide additional spots to unwind and take in the scenery.

Payment is handled with card options—cash is not accepted—with American Express, Diners Club, Visa, JCB, Mastercard, Maestro, and Eftpos all supported. Non-smoking rooms are available, ensuring a comfortable atmosphere for guests.

Closest airports

Cairns International Airport

1.8mi

Most popular amenities

Restaurant

Outdoor swimming pool

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Room service

Free shuttle

Air conditioning

Bar

Sun deck

Tour desk

Parking On Site

Terrace

24-hour front desk

Mountain view

Non-smoking rooms

Live music/Performance

Wheelchair accessible

Beach umbrellas

Beach chairs/Loungers

Kitchenware

Kitchenette

Elevator

Garden

Bathtub

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Free toiletries

Balcony

Rooms

Standard Triple Room with King and Single Bed - Sea View in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 5 photos

King And Single Room, Sea View

1 Twin Bed

1 King Size Bed

25 sqft

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Bathtub

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

The spacious double room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a balcony with sea views as well as a private bathroom boasting a bath. The unit has 2 beds.

Premium Double Room with Two Double Beds - Seafront in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 5 photos

Premium, 2 Double Beds, Seafront View

2 Double Beds

30 sqft

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Bathtub

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

This air-conditioned quadruple room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with sea views. The unit offers 2 beds.

Premium Double Room with Two Double Beds and Sea View in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 5 photos

Premium, 2 Double Beds, Sea View

2 Double Beds

30 sqft

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Bathtub

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

This air-conditioned quadruple room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with sea views. The unit offers 2 beds.

Premium King Room with Sofa Bed in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 4 photos

Premium, King Size, Sofa

1 King Size Bed

1 Sofa Bed

300 sqft

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Bathtub

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

This air-conditioned quadruple room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony. The unit offers 2 beds.

Show 4 photos

Triple Room

1 King Size Bed

300 sqft

Balcony

Flat-screen TV

Refrigerator

Tea/Coffee maker

x3

+

x4

More details

This air-conditioned triple room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with mountain views. The unit offers 2 beds.

Standard King Room - Accessible in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 6 photos

King Room, Accessible

1 King Size Bed

325 sqft

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Flat-screen TV

Refrigerator

x6

+

x3

More details

Accessible King Size Bed

Standard Double Room with Two Double Beds and Sea View in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 5 photos

Room - 2 Double, Sea View

2 Double Beds

300 sqft

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Bathtub

Flat-screen TV

x4

+

x3

More details

Ocean View Two Double Beds

Standard King Room in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 5 photos

King Room

1 King Size Bed

290 sqft

Mountain view

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Bathtub

+

More details

DOUBLE KING BED STANDARD

Premium King Room - Seafront in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 6 photos

Premium, King Size, Seafront View

1 King Size Bed

30 sqft

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Bathtub

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

One-Bedroom King Suite with Sofa Bed and Sea View in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 4 photos

Suite, 1 Bedroom, Sea View, Sofa

1 Sofa Bed

1 King Size Bed

45 sqft

Private Bathroom

Kitchenette

Balcony

Bathtub

x8

+

x5

More details

Suite Sea View One Bedroom

Standard Double Room with Two Double Beds in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 6 photos

Room - 2 Double

2 Double Beds

300 sqft

Mountain view

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Bathtub

x4

+

x3

More details

King Suite - Seafront in Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Show 6 photos

Suite, Seafront View

1 King Size Bed

375 sqft

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Bathtub

Coffee machine

x8

+

x5

More details

Guest reviews

8

1,828 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Featured reviews:

🇭🇺

Gyöngyi

8.2

August 2024

Location, location, location. Cheapest option on the beach , good value for money. Breakfast is good, it’s worth to ask for it. Suite is so spacious for a family. View is nice from the breakfast area/ pool. I was disappointed however that we were accommodated in the back tower front where the sea view is not the same as from the front building . I was tired to argue but it was very not nice gesture from front desk … considering that on booking.com I could still see for that night other sea view suits were free … so that is all from the front desk staff. If you book here a sea view , insist only on the front building suite.

Rooms are outdated but clean and spacious. I could not understand for such a big hotel why do you only have 6 ! Beds at the pool , When you have space for 16 at least ?

🇦🇺

Paul

8.2

July 2024

The room I had was on the very top floor with waterfront views. The room was roomy and so was the bathroom. Shower was great and excellent hot water. I liked that I had a coffee machine too.

The hotel was a bit out from the CBD so you had a good walk to most of the attractions. I did not like how the tv in my room was set at a very bad angle to the bed and also the tv was too small for the size of the room I was in. Breakfast was great but the coffee was absolutely s**t like drinking dirty dish water. Plus the coffee machine wasn’t working properly most of the time. Lucky for the coffee machine in my room that was much better coffee.

🇺🇸

Adrian

10

May 2025

We had a very pleasant stay. We arrived a bit early, but the room was actually ready early which was very nice after an extremely long day of travel. The room was clean and spacious, and the bed was quite comfortable. The location was quiet as well. Breakfast, while not included, was still a very nice buffet spread with a good selection of different foods. The pool was nice, although we didn't use too much as we had a bit of rain during our stay. As to location, we enjoyed it as it was about a 20 min walk to the majority of touristy activities, so it was a bit quieter but still easy to access food etc. There is a nice boardwalk and park areas all the way downtown other than crossing one road. There is a small sandy patch by the water, but most of the waterline is more of a muddy mangrove area, so more nice to walk along, rather than to actually hang out on a beach. All staff interactions were friendly and helpful.

No complaints

🇺🇸

Martha

10

May 2025

It was right on the Esplanade, which is a main tourist and local place to be where all the action see and runs along the edge of the ocean. The view from our room was beautiful! The free buffet in the morning was very good!

Everyone was so nice, friendly and helpful except for the manager. We asked him the night before we were to leave to call us a taxi. He said nothing to us as we waited in the lobby for our taxi to arrive. A taxi arrived at the appointed time and another couple took our taxi. The manager told us that we should have been waiting outside, which he never told us even though he could clearly see that we were sitting there in his lobby. Just not a friendly or helpful man!

🇦🇺

Karen

8.2

December 2024

Clean. Good service from friendly and happy staff. The location is good, out of the main cbd area so it's not noisy but still less than 10min drive to get there. Rooms were quiet, first hotel where i didn't get woken up by neighbouring rooms talking, or talking in the hallways or banging doors. Daily room clean if needed which is nice. Nice garden and good view of the waters. Nice outdoor seating to eat and drink.

Only downside was the sofa bed. Mattress is so thin you can feel the springs in your body, and it sloped in the middle. I had to ask for extra blankets to try thicken it up. Springs all squeeked on any movement as well. Pillows were very flat as well.

🇦🇺

Maybe

9.1

February 2025

What a difference the staff make! This was our second stay within the space of a week. The staff at reception couldn't have been more helpful or informative. Nothing was too difficult or too much trouble. The room had a small balcony and overlooked the esplanade. The air conditioning, due to the high humidity, was freezing, as it was overcompensating, so the desk staff brought me up a blanket, in Cairns, in the middle of Summer! 😂 The room was comfortable, well appointed, clean and well presented.

As stated before the limited food choices for lunch and evening meals meant we had to dine elsewhere.

🇦🇺

Maybe

9.1

February 2025

I was impressed with the room and location, right on the Esplanade in Cairns. The room was very well appointed, although the air conditioner was way too efficient! Plenty of hanging space, ample seating with a small balcony overlooking the street. The bed was extremely comfortable, bathroom was well organised and ample clean linen.

The lunch and evening menu in the downstairs cafe was very limited for us, as we are both Gluten Free and Lactose Intolerant. The young woman on the desk was rather short with some other tourists and remained aloof. She didn't provide us with anything like the amount of information the the staff did on our second stay a week later, especially about the free breakfast, the courtesy bus or the location of nearby amenities.

🇺🇸

Pamela

9.1

October 2024

So glad we stayed here! Room was beautiful. Staff was extraordinary! Breakfast was amazing. Location was perfect for walking, cabs and access to the railway for our train to Kuranda. Staff was helpful, friendly, professional and full of wonderful information and tips, including how to use their free shuttle service to get closer to the train station. Breakfast really was amazing.

Wifi was almost non-existent in our room and even moving to the breakfast area, as recommended by staff, still led to a very slow internet. Not sure how much was the router, because when reported, it seemed to pick up for a bit, then would drop back off. Would still stay again, even if internet was the same because the hotel and the staff are A+++.

🇦🇺

Gabe

8.2

March 2025

Studio room was great 👍 very spacious room furnished bit dated. Lounge and especially the bed 🛌 😌 😴 was super comfortable Quality toiletries, body wash etc Recommend buffet breakfast 😋 service was lovely and friendly

Reception staff 2x males attitudes were rude and arrogant not at all welcoming, friendly or helpful! Found them to be off putting certainly didnt feel comfortable approaching Reception They Cancelled our room key prior to check out time We Had a few bags to take down to car. Had to ask twice for keys to be re activated!

🇦🇺

Chrisanthy

8.2

September 2024

Location was great, close to everything. Staff were friendly & accommodating but when we first arrived one of our rooms was not what we expected/booked. Standard triple room, should have been a king bed plus a single bed - we were given a room with a pullout sofa. When we queried this, staff member agreed we shouldn't have been given this room but if course all the standard triple rooms were now taken. We were moved to the older part of the hotel (away from other family), no ocean view but city. I guess minor things but not what we booked..

As above - if you book something, you expect to receive that. They couldn't accommodate early check-in or rooms close by which we understood but then being given a room with a sofa bed, that was not right.

Points of Interest Around Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Attractions

Cairns Aquarium

0.8mi

Michaelmas Cay

1mi

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

1.1mi

Rusty's Markets

1.2mi

Cairns Botanic Gardens

1.2mi

Centenary Lakes

1.2mi

Great Barrier Reef

1.2mi

Green Island

1.3mi

Barron Gorge National Park

10.4mi

Kuranda

10.6mi

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

10.8mi

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

13.1mi

Lake Barrine

24.7mi

Atherton Tablelands

24.7mi

Granite Gorge Nature Park

28.9mi

Restaurants

Harbourside Bar and Kitchen

Cuisines

  • 0

Ambiances

  • Family Friendly
  • Traditional
  • Modern
  • Romantic

Pools

Location

  • Outdoor

Features

  • Shallow end
  • With view

Availability

  • All season

Amenities of Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Restaurant

Outdoor swimming pool

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Room service

Free shuttle

Air conditioning

Bar

Sun deck

Tour desk

Parking On Site

Terrace

24-hour front desk

Mountain view

Non-smoking rooms

Live music/Performance

Wheelchair accessible

Beach umbrellas

Beach chairs/Loungers

Kitchenware

Kitchenette

Elevator

Garden

Bathtub

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Free toiletries

Balcony

Stay rules - Cairns Harbourside Hotel

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property

Frequently Asked Questions - Cairns Harbourside Hotel

At what times are check-in and check-out at Cairns Harbourside Hotel?

Cairns Harbourside Hotel permits check-ins after 03:00 PM and expects check-outs to be completed by 11:00 AM.

Does Cairns Harbourside Hotel provide free parking options?

Yes, guests can enjoy free, private on-site parking at the Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside, an IHG Hotel.

How much does a stay at Cairns Harbourside Hotel cost?

A stay at Cairns Harbourside Hotel can begin from a rate of $83. This is subject to change based on room selection and travel dates. For a clear price, input your desired stay dates.

Which room categories can I book at Cairns Harbourside Hotel?

The Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside offers a variety of rooms, including 1 Bedroom Suites, Standard Triple Rooms, Premium King Rooms, and Deluxe Suites. Most rooms can accommodate 1 adult and do not allow smoking. Bed sizes include King, Queen, Twin, and Double, with room sizes ranging from 291 to 441 sqft. Some rooms feature sea views or are accessible with different bed and room sizes.

Where can guests find entertainment in Cairns Harbourside Hotel?

Guests at the Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside can enjoy a range of leisure activities during their stay. They can relax by the outdoor swimming pool, which features a shallow end and scenic views. The hotel also offers beach chairs and umbrellas, providing the perfect opportunity for guests to soak up the sun. For those seeking some physical activity, the hotel has a tennis court and a fitness center. Additionally, guests can unwind at the Harbourside Bar and Kitchen, which offers a variety of ambiences including family-friendly and romantic, allowing them to enjoy delicious meals or grab a relaxing drink. Whether they want to lounge by the pool, go for a game of tennis, or indulge in a culinary experience, there are plenty of options for guests to spend their time within the hotel.

Can guests use a pool at Cairns Harbourside Hotel?

The Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside hotel has an outdoor pool available, which is open all year round and includes a shallow end. Additionally, the pool offers a view.

Does Cairns Harbourside Hotel have on-site restaurants?

The hotel features an on-site restaurant called Harbourside Bar and Kitchen, which offers a variety of ambiances including family-friendly, traditional, modern, and romantic. However, specific details about the cuisines offered at the restaurant are not provided in the data.

What methods of payment does Cairns Harbourside Hotel accept?

Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside, an IHG Hotel accepts the following methods of payment: Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club, American Express, JCB, Maestro, and Eftpos. Cash is not accepted at the hotel.