Cairns Southside International

Pros: The staff was amazing and so helpful. The rooms were also very clean and comfortable. I think this hotel is overall really good interms of quality for the price that you pay.

Cons: The only thing I was not so theilled about at this hotel is its location. It is located far away from the rest of the main attractions in Cairns and is a not so pleasant neighbourhood.

Some of the negative reviews of this hotel are hysterical and exaggerated. It's a budget hotel, and it's located away from the downtown and water. The rooms could use fresh paint and the there could be better attention to the soaps and shampoos that are provided. But the public spaces are elegant, the furnishings are elegant if worn, the beds were comfortable. The free wireless worked great--there are at least 10 repeaters spread over the hotel. The air conditioning worked great. And the staff--they couldn't be nicer or more helpful! The women who work the front desk are attentive and always willing to help. They provided me with lots of advice about tours and made the necessary phone calls on my behalf. The hotel restaurant was quite good too; the cook is good with seafood and her father and brothers are fishermen who supply much of her excellent fresh ingredients (although she could rely less on pre-made sauces). I can recommend anything she makes with mackerel, and I loved her 'bugs.' If your goal is to have a friendly comfortable place to rest up after spending your days out touring, this place is perfect. If you mostly want to lounge at a comfortable resort where the hotel is the main destination, go to a fancier place near the coast, or get out of Cairns altogether and go to one of the nice resorts north of here.

Pros: The staff!!! Helpful, friendly, and attentive. They really take care of their guests. The front desk is amazing; the cook is excellent; otherwise an amiable attitude makes up for the occasional slip-ups.

Cons: The location was inconvenient. There is a slight degree of ineptitude about the service. I was provided with many tubes of conditioner but no shampoo. The restaurant was out of many of the wines on the list. The room needed fresh paint.