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
Cairns City Motel
Laid-back motel offering simple rooms with flat-screens, plus an outdoor pool & BBQ facilities.
K2 Cairns Queens Court
Relaxed hotel with modern rooms & suites, plus an outdoor pool & a free breakfast buffet.
Port Douglas Artists' Beach House
Port Douglas Artists' Beach House is a place to stay in Port Douglas, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 22 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 50/100.
Lake Central Cairns
Pared-back quarters with kitchenettes in a casual apartment hotel featuring an outdoor pool.
Cove House, Palm Cove
Cove House, Palm Cove is a place to stay in Palm Cove, Cairns. It holds a 4.9-star Google rating from 12 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 50/100.
Trinity Beach Igloo
Trinity Beach Igloo is a place to stay in Trinity Beach, Cairns. It holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 26 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 50/100.
Cairns Holiday Lodge
Casual studios with kitchens & balconies in a modest hotel offering an outdoor pool & free parking.
Oasis Inn Holiday Apartments
Straightforward option offering low-key rooms and apartments, plus an outdoor saltwater pool.
Platypus Springs Rainforest Retreat
Platypus Springs Rainforest Retreat is a place to stay in Yorkeys Knob, Cairns. It holds a 5.0-star Google rating from 10 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 49/100.
Estilo Bed & Breakfast
Estilo Bed & Breakfast is a place to stay in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 12 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 48/100.
Cassowary House
Cassowary House is a place to stay in Kuranda, Cairns. It holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 14 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 48/100.
Clifton Sands Holiday Apartments
Clifton Sands Holiday Apartments is a place to stay in Clifton Beach, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 14 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 48/100.
Shanee Prana
Shanee Prana is a place to stay in Kuranda, Cairns. It holds a 5.0-star Google rating from 7 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 48/100.
Central Plaza Apartment Hotel
Upscale all-apartment property with free Wi-Fi & parking, plus an outdoor pool & a business center.
Willow Garden Stays
Willow Garden Stays is a place to stay in Yorkeys Knob, Cairns. It holds a 5.0-star Google rating from 6 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 47/100.
Cairns Sunland Leisure Park
Cairns Sunland Leisure Park is a place to stay in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 3.3-star Google rating from 552 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 47/100.
Meridien At Trinity
Meridien At Trinity is a place to stay in Trinity Beach, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 25 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 47/100.
Cairns Beach Apartments
Relaxed, scenic-view apartments with kitchens & private balconies, plus a pool & a hot tub.
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.