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
Palm Royale Cairns
Informal hotel featuring tropical gardens, 2 outdoor pools & a hot tub, plus free parking & Wi-Fi.
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Bright quarters, some with sea views, in a casual hotel offering 2 outdoor pools, tennis & dining.
Cairns Central Plaza
Airy quarters, some with sea views, in a contemporary apartment hotel with a cafe & a rooftop pool.
Palm Cove Tropic Apartments
Relaxed 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, plus a tropical garden, a pool with a deck & free parking.
Sea Point on Trinity Beach
Sea Point on Trinity Beach is a place to stay in Trinity Beach, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 66 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 56/100.
Lakes Cairns Resort
Lakes Cairns Resort is a place to stay in Cairns North, Cairns. It holds a 4.1-star Google rating from 388 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 56/100.
Cairns Beach Resort
Oceanfront complex offering relaxed apartments with kitchens and balconies, plus a saltwater pool.
Mantra Esplanade Cairns
Mantra Esplanade Cairns is a place to stay in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.0-star Google rating from 767 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 56/100.
The Beaches Luxury Apartments
The Beaches Luxury Apartments is a place to stay in Smithfield, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 63 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 56/100.
Cairns Queenslander Hotel & Apartments
Casual quarters, some with kitchenettes, in a laid-back property with 2 outdoor pools & free Wi-Fi.
On The Beach Holiday Apartments
Bright and airy apartments with balconies and free Wi-Fi, plus an outdoor pool and a hot tub.
Kuranda Caravan park
Kuranda Caravan park is a place to stay in Kuranda, Cairns. It holds a 4.1-star Google rating from 303 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 55/100.
Pandanus Caravan Park
Pandanus Caravan Park is a place to stay in Port Douglas, Cairns. It holds a 4.1-star Google rating from 300 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 55/100.
Park Regis City Quays, Cairns
Informal hotel with a rooftop pool, offering casual quarters, some with balconies & kitchens.
Mango Lagoon Resort & Wellness Spa
Modern 1-2 bedroom units with kitchens, plus 2 outdoor pools & complimentary Wi-Fi.
Alivio Hotel Cairns
Serene, polished hotel with sea views, plus a swimming pool, a spa & a restaurant
Trinity Beach Pacific
Trinity Beach Pacific is a place to stay in Trinity Beach, Cairns. It holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 77 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 54/100.
Nightcap at Edge Hill Tavern
Nightcap at Edge Hill Tavern is a place to stay in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 69 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 54/100.
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
roundupCairns Nightlife: The Best Bars & Live Music
Cairns may be best known as the gateway to the reef and rainforest, but once the sun drops the city centre comes alive with a compact, walkable cluster of bars, breweries and live
Read guide →roundupFree Things to Do in Cairns
From the Esplanade Lagoon and Botanic Gardens to Palm Cove and rainforest escapes, these are Cairns’ best free outings — plus what costs extra.
Read guide →roundupCairns With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do
From the free Esplanade Lagoon to the Daintree, here are Cairns family activities worth planning around, with practical ideas for wet and sunny days.
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.