Best Where to Stay in Cairns (2026)
From the everyday to the indulgent, here are 125 of the best where to stay in Cairns. Each pick is scored on reputation, popularity and how current our information is, so you can choose somewhere brilliant without the guesswork. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, price or features.
Where you stay shapes the trip. Cairns's options run from central hotels within walking distance of the action to quieter neighbourhood stays and serviced apartments. Book early for peak periods and major events.
Staying in Cairns?
Find places to stay near Cairns — hotels on Booking.com. Sort the rest of your trip too.
Some links are affiliate links — if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our Spot Score or what we recommend.
Some links are affiliate links — if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our Spot Score or what we recommend.
125 spots
Hilton Cairns
Relaxed hotel featuring an outdoor pool & 2 restaurants, as well as a gym & water views.
Mumma’s Hostel Cairns
Mumma’s Hostel Cairns is a place to stay in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 422 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 61/100.
Peppers Beach Club & Spa Palm Cove
Upscale hotel with 2 bars, 3 outdoor pools & a spa, plus a restaurant, tennis courts & free Wi-Fi.
Sanctuary Palm Cove
Polished 1- to 3-bedroom apartments in an upmarket resort featuring gardens, an outdoor pool & BBQs.
Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows
Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows is a place to stay in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 520 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 61/100.
BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park
Simple accommodations in a relaxed resort offering an outdoor pool & a kids' playground.
The Palms at Palm Cove
The Palms at Palm Cove is a place to stay in Palm Cove, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 138 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 60/100.
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Low-key hotel offering a hot tub, a restaurant/bar & an outdoor pool, plus free Wi-Fi & parking.
Summer House Cairns
Lively hostel featuring a restaurant/bar, an outdoor pool & a volleyball court, plus free breakfast.
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Colonial Club Resort is a place to stay in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 4.1-star Google rating from 2474 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 60/100.
The Sebel Palm Cove
Contemporary apartment hotel overlooking a golf course, featuring an outdoor pool & a tennis court.
Amaroo at Trinity
Polished venue offering relaxed suites with kitchenettes and sea-view balconies, plus a pool.
Tropic Breeze Caravan Park
Tropic Breeze Caravan Park is a place to stay in Port Douglas, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 455 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 60/100.
Kewarra Beach
Kewarra Beach is a place to stay in Kuranda, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 133 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 59/100.
The Reef Retreat Palm Cove
The Reef Retreat Palm Cove is a place to stay in Palm Cove, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 260 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 59/100.
Drift Palm Cove
Drift Palm Cove is a place to stay in Palm Cove, Cairns. It holds a 4.2-star Google rating from 713 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 59/100.
Cairns Plaza Hotel
Streamlined quarters with balconies in a casual hotel offering an outdoor pool and sea views.
Oasis at Palm Cove
Resort offering modern apartments and tropical gardens, plus a tennis court and a lagoon-style pool.
Where to Stay by suburb
Zoom in on the best where to stay in Cairns's most popular neighbourhoods.
Where to Stay guides for Cairns
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From the Esplanade Lagoon and Botanic Gardens to Palm Cove and rainforest escapes, these are Cairns’ best free outings — plus what costs extra.
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Read guide →Where to Stay in Cairns — FAQs
What are the best where to stay in Cairns?+
Our top-rated where to stay in Cairns are ranked by our Spot Score, which combines Google ratings, review volume, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear at the top of this page.
How is the Cairns where to stay ranking decided?+
We blend independent signals — Google star ratings and review counts, popularity, the quality of available information and freshness — into a single Spot Score out of 100. It's an editorial score, not a paid placement.
Can I filter where to stay by suburb or price?+
Yes. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, minimum rating, price level, whether a place is open now, and features like dog-friendly or outdoor seating.
How many where to stay are listed in Cairns?+
We currently feature 125 where to stay across Cairns and surrounding suburbs, and we add and re-check venues regularly.