Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside, an IHG Hotel

"I took the family to Cairns from 30th June 2023 to 8th July 2023. We stayed at this hotel the whole time. Overall, our experience at this hotel was positive. However, the rooms are tired and in desperate need of renovations. The restaurant is not even worth speaking about. Whilst the hotel gets 4 stars from me, the restaurant would most likely get a 1 star. But it is the people that made our stay so memorable. Starting at the front counter, a big shout out to Giullia, Blanche, Ferenc, Richard and team. No request was too difficult for this team, brilliantly led by Adrian. Our initial room was an issue for us with no furniture to sit and enjoy the room. Not only did Giullia move us to a new room, she arranged for the missing furniture to be brought into our room whilst we waited for the "new" room to be vacated. No questions asked. No hassles. Just how a hotel management should be. The team in the dinning room (for breakfasts only), led by Megan, Akumi and Anne were also brilliant. They made our dinning experience all the more enjoyable with their friendly and can-do attitude. The restaurant was a major disappointment. For starters, they only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for dinner. Even when we did give them a try, the food was a major disappointment as well. My wife ordered the curry salmon and was given literally a teaspoon of rice to eat with it. If the chef thinks this is what a restaurant should be, he is in the wrong profession. Furthermore, the mains section of the menu had only 6 dishes. Now Cairns should be showcasing the fresh seafood. Apart from a few dishes, there were no other seafood dishes for people to try. Now let's do the maths. The hotel has 173 rooms. If each room spends just $50 for each meal, that is $8,500 that this so called restaurant is leaving on the table. Again, this shows how out of touch the chef really is. Note to morning chef. Breakfast was good but a little variety would go a long way. There is only so much Bacon, Eggs and Sausages a person can eat. Other than that, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. I would like to believe we came home having made some friends along the way. I would recommend the hotel for accommodation but not the restaurant for meals."

"First. Can't get clean glasses every day in the room. Wasn't given the sea view that we paid for. Lucy was very rude towards the customers. Lovely front staff at front reception. Had a great holiday"

"Be prepared for the noisey planes and helicopters flying past as its on the flight path. Reception friendly and accomodating with a smile. Friday/Saturday can be noisey as you hear the drinkers below up to early morning. Room comfortable and clean. Wifi is rubbish and slow - I resorted to roaming which was much better. Overall okay for the price and walking distance to the CBD."

"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."

"Great holiday inn! Room was beautiful great views comfy bed, room service daily! Good wifi Richard the duty manager is nice and helpful The breakfast was delicious every day staff could be seen working hard during the easter time as it was busy My only minor complaint is its abit of a walk from the main restaurants but to be honest it is nice being away from the main hustle - just something to note if you are elderly. The hotel does offer some sort of shuttle service to the main area."