Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside, an IHG Hotel

We truly enjoyed our stay at the Holiday Inn. Richard is a gem (front desk) and he helped us with excursions on many occasions. Our room had an AMAZING view of the bay. The service was fabulous, the pool was great, the restaurant had delicious food, the breakfast buffet had lots of choices, and the location is walkable to downtown Cairns (note: this hotel is at the end of town, for some, this may be a little far. For us, it was no problem. We walked everywhere).

My husband & I stayed at the Cairns Harbourside during our honeymoon. Upon learning of this, Julian upgraded us to a 6th floor room with an ocean view & had a bottle of bubbly sent to our room! The view was incredible, the service exceptional & the buffet breakfast was great!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay & the complimentary shuttle bus service was so convenient for us as we had day trips planned to Green Island & to go snorkeling.
Decor could do with an upgrade but as a homebase it served us just fine.

Lovely hotel. The ocean view tower was really nice. We had the highest level corner room with balcony and great views of all of Cairns nearly.
Staff were very nice to interact with and very welcoming.
Breakfast was a good buffet and I looked forward to starting each day with it.
Room was clean and comfy.
Definitely will be back again.

Coming from the States, I was a bit skeptical about what to expect, but this place exceeded every single one of my expectations! My room was a tropical paradise, with a view of the harbor that'll make your heart skip a beat. And don't even get me started on the breakfast buffet. The buffet was awesome with some Indian food . The location is perfect, too - just a short stroll from the waterfront and all the local attractions. I'm tellin' y'all, if you're lookin' for a slice of heaven in Cairns, look no further than Harbourside Hotel. I'm already plottin' my return! 🌴❤

Beautiful hotel with a wonderful view of the lagoon. Clean and comfortable beds. Very nice staff. We were able to store a suitcase here while out diving for 5 days.

A Spirit of Independence Sweeps Through Hospitality

The hospitality industry in both Cairns and Surfers Paradise is undergoing a fascinating transformation. Property owners are increasingly seeking to navigate the market independently, unshackling themselves from the traditional ties of established hotel brands. This trend is driven by the rise of powerful online booking platforms that empower direct-to-consumer sales and offer greater control over distribution channels.

Cairns: A Sea Change on the Horizon

In Cairns, the winds of change are particularly strong. The recent decision by the owners of the Hilton Cairns to bypass the brand entirely and partner with the local hospitality group for direct management of their exclusive waterfront venue Mondo's is a powerful indicator. This move could be a precursor to a complete severing of ties with the Hilton brand once the current contract expires, highlighting a growing desire for autonomy among Cairns property owners.

This isn't an isolated incident. The owners of the former Holiday Inn Cairns have also chosen to shed the brand and operate under a new identity, Harbourside Hotel. This signals a growing confidence in navigating the market solo and potentially leveraging online booking platforms to reach a wider audience and capture a larger share of the revenue.

Surfers Paradise: Boutique Boom Redefines Luxury

The Gold Coast's tourism hub, Surfers Paradise, is experiencing a similar shift, but with a focus on boutique hotels. Here, the established chains are facing a challenge from a new breed of hospitality providers offering unique experiences and personalized service.

One recent development is the transformation of the former Paradise Sands Hotel. Following a refurbishment, it has reopened as The Drift, a stylish boutique hotel catering to a younger clientele. The Drift's focus on curated local artwork, eco-conscious practices, and social events creates a distinct atmosphere, setting it apart from the generic offerings of larger chains.

Similarly, the successful launch of The Langham, a boutique hotel known for its art deco interiors and personalized service, has demonstrated the potential for independent properties to thrive in Surfers Paradise. The Langham caters to a discerning clientele seeking a luxurious and intimate experience, an alternative to the larger, impersonal resorts that have traditionally dominated the area.

The Future of Hospitality: Diverse and Independent

Both Cairns and Surfers Paradise are likely to see a continuation of this trend. Travelers are increasingly prioritizing unique experiences and value authenticity over brand names. Online booking platforms empower these independent hotels to reach a wider audience, bypassing the marketing costs associated with traditional chain affiliations. As a result, both destinations could see flourishing independent hotel scenes, offering visitors a more diverse and personalized range of accommodation options.

Warm, friendly bar service, even though the bar closed very early (9pm) on a Wednesday evening. Clean and tidy, if a little too quiet.

I dont normally write reviews, mr richard was our host here and went above and beyond in making us feel welcome to say the least.
he provided us with options in view selection for our rooms and an unmatched warm feeling and hospitality while staying here.
we are beyond impressed with this hotel and the service they offer.
10/10. thank you richard

Wow wow wow 🤩 a massive thank you to Mathew and the guys at the holiday inn ❤ even when experiencing small issues Mathew went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and happy. He also has a wealth of knowledge for any thing your heart desires or wants to know.

But omg the high light for me was the beds 🤩 absolutely amazing beds that I could sleep on for a week straight. Even completed with soft and firm pillows labeled on each bed to make sure every one is as comfortable as possible.

The pool was also a stunning highlight 🤩🫶

Will definitely be returning to this hotel in the future 🫶

Excellent rooms
Food quality in restaurant is absolutely good. Staff is very cooperative. I recommend this hotel for those visiting great coral reef
-APPASAHEB PATIL

Excellent customer service at all points of contact. Rooms are a little dated but very clean, and relatively spacious for a hotel room. Bedding was comfortable with a selection of firm or soft pillow. We stayed in the ocean view room and the view is spectacular. The buffet breakfast was basic but adequate. The in-room dining/service was excellent and reasonably priced for a hotel.
We liked that the hotel isn't city centre so it is spared the noise ans crowds, and only a short distance away with easy access.

A wonderful stay at this hotel. Friendly and professional staff couldn’t have been more helpful and accomodating!
The rooms was large and clean , maybe not
the most modern but definitely value for money and fabulous location. Close to town center and amazing restaurants. Would book here again in a heartbeat.

Staff were very welcoming and provided exceptional service throughout our stay. Good breakfast, great room service. Short walk to the city and you can enjoy the tropical palm trees view straight from the sea facing rooms balcony.

Room was well maintained, but it was not sound proof as there was a gap between door and floor. I hope management is already aware of this and they will make some arrangements to fix this issue.

Mailk was the best best guy best service so bubbly and just an absolute gentleman, genuinely awesome bloke give him credit will definitely come back because of him.

This hotel was excellent. The customer service is absolutely outstanding.
Well done to the bar staff and check-in staff. The location and facilities are great.
Food is 10/10. I am surprised and I will be returning ASAP! Comfortable beds.
Such a breath of fresh air. Well done!

Great place, super friendly staff and reasonable accomodations, might be due for a bit of an update but for the price a good value. Pool is on the chilly side and there is not hot tub, rather a jetted elevated section. Rooms have fridges, comfy beds (no outlet next to the bed which I found odd), great towels you can borrow for the beach and the room staff are incredibly efficient. Richard at the front desk is A+

All the staff here went above expectations, the amount of help and local knowledge was a welcome surprise. Every staff member are extremely eager to help there isn’t one thing that I could ask them to improve on. A big thank you to Mrs H.Milton for the extra time and effort you put in.

Unbelievable….Highly recommend the King suite with ocean view as it has incredible views and highly romantic❤
A massive thank you to Demi and the staff for going above and beyond to accommodate our ever needs and making our stay here an amazing experience. Will definitely be back.
Thx guys🥳

My husband and I have just spent 10 fabulous days at the Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside 🤗
My initial booking conversation with Richard at reception set the scene for a really great stay.
The view from our ocean view room was absolutely stunning.
All of the staff throughout our stay were exceptional. Friendly, helpful, welcoming, polite, attentive, genuine and joyful.
The whole facility was kept clean and fresh daily. The decor was bright and cheerful.
The staff obviously worked well as a team and they worked hard.
Our room was well set up with all required amenities.
The breakfasts were wonderful, with a huge range of food choices. Staff were always present to assist, clear and clean tables and restock food. Breakfast was available from 0600-0900, so if you had an early tour booked, there was time for some breakfast first.
The Harbourside Cafe/Bar was also terrific. Beautifully presented light or main meals available throughout the day and evening. A choice of comfortable indoor and outdoor seating was always available.
Reception staff assisted us on several occasions, always with enthusiasm and professionalism.
We loved our walks along the promenade to the main shopping precinct (needed that after all the wonderful food 😄) On a couple of occasions, we walked there and back...twice! 🤗
There was also a shuttle available if anyone needed it.
We highly recommend a stay at the Holiday Inn. It was a memorable break. We will certainly return to this lovely facility.
Thank you team, you are truly wonderful 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Wow holiday inn was a fantastic experience.. service was fantastic, staff was absolutely fantastic, breakfast was delicious..thank u very happy customer 😀