Cairns Hotels?

[Daver6]

Can anyone comment on which is better and why between the Pullman International and Pullman Reef Casino? I'm aware they're next to each other and one is a casino. Interested in room quality and pool experience mainly. Anything to be concerned about at either property?

 

[Muppet501st]

The Pullman Reef is off a higher quality closer to 5 star
I found there rooms larger even the base rooms. And all rooms have spas
Until recently the Pulllman International still had shower curtains., it’s more 4 star.

Can anyone comment on which is better and why between the Pullman International and Pullman Reef Casino? I'm aware they're next to each other and one is a casino. Interested in room quality and pool experience mainly. Anything to be concerned about at either property?

 

[Daver6]

The Pullman Reef is off a higher quality closer to 5 star
I found there rooms larger even the base rooms. And all rooms have spas
Until recently the Pulllman International still had shower curtains., it’s more 4 star.

Looking at the International website, looks like they have renovated some rooms to have a proper shower. The old ones look to have a shub.

 

[Saab34]

Reef by a long mile. Love the rooftop pool area too. As it’s more a premium priced hotel, you don’t get the crowds and more couples compared to large groups. Spas in all rooms is another bonus. I generally stay here largely due to peace and quiet.

The only thing I don’t like are some of the rooms positioned street side, I like the rooms over the pool/sea side, get no sun on the other side.

Like many Cairns hotels probably needs a makeover however it’s not terrible.

 

[Guvner]

Stayed in a Junior King Suite at the Reef. Can recommend. Only photo I took.

 

[craven morehead]

Looking at the International website, looks like they have renovated some rooms to have a proper shower. The old ones look to have a shub.

Stayed there in January and they have definitley renovated a lot or rooms to a higher standard.

 

[DC3]

Some years back I stayed at the Sofitel, but it seems that it has been downgraded to a Pullman, now. I definitely enjoyed the Sofitel.

 

[Muppet501st]

Im at the Pullman Reef Casino now, Busy, no Junior Suite upgrades.
But even the base rooms are nicer than even the renovated rooms at the Pullman International.

 

[Saab34]

Just shut the door overnight my partner woke up at 3am to one of those Asian house geckos crawling up her leg lolz.

 

[Daver6]

Just shut the door overnight my partner woke up at 3am to one of those Asian house geckos crawling up her leg lolz.

I believe that's called room service

 

[Daver6]

To close the loop and give some feedback.

Cairns we booked a junior suite at the Pullman Reef with non-inlet views. No upgrade. Hotel was chockers. As others have said, not new but it was till pretty decent. Lovely size room with a good layout. Impressed that there was a nightly turn-down service.

As an Accor gold was given two free drinks which could be anything from the bar. I went a Martini.

Pool area isn't fancy but good enough. Was never busy. You could use the phone by the pool to order food/drinks. Used the parking for one night which was $12.

 

[Daver6]

As for dining. Well firstly coffee. Specialty Espresso & Brew Bar | The Chamber Room | Cairns, Australia is worth a visit if you're a coffee nerd.

Salt House was a great spot for sunset drinks. Very chill vibe. The pizzas were excellent too


We managed to get into Tamarind at the Pullman Reef. Also an excellent meal and good wine list.

Dundee's on the wharf. I'm 50/50 on it. Huge menu. Seemed liked clearly aimed at the tourists. However, the food was good. Wine list average. I wouldn't object to going back but there are better places. Probably a good spot for large groups.

If you are in the mood for a burger JIMMYS BURGER & CO. — Burgers, Shakes & Good Times in Cairns City is the place to go. Would definitely return. Great vibe too.

Lunch at Palm Cove at Nu Nu was amazing. Weather was terrible but food, service, drinks all fantastic.


On to Port Douglas. Even booking a fortnight out, it was slim pickings.

@JohnM suggested Wrasse & Roe looked good. It was excellent! Singapore black pepper mud crab was a winner. Also a great wine and coughtail list with excellent service.

Amex concierge suggested Watergate and another excellent choice for dinner. Lunch at Melaleuca was a hit too. A shame there is a car park between the restaurant and marina, but does not detract.

Finally dinner at Harrisons at the Sheraton Mirage. Again, brilliant food, service and wine list.

All up I was very impressed with the food options, especially in Port Douglas. There were a bunch of other places we just couldn't get in to.

Edit: I forgot. The Central Hotel in Port Douglas was a great pub for a pub style meal. Would recommend it too.

 

[Daver6]

Finally accommodation in Port Douglas was the Sheraton Mirage. Decision was easy since the Pullman there was totally booked out. We booked a garden view studio room.

Firstly, if you need a room to be dark to sleep, this hotel is not for you. There are no block out curtains. They have wooden slats there slide closed but are at a fixed angle and not completely closed. I was pretty shocked when I realised this. I would have moved hotels if there were options, but there weren't.

We had a bunch of small issues with this hotel. The pool and common areas are stunning. The rooms are tired and desperately in need of maintenance. The first room we were in there was silicon missing from the window. The second one the sliding door was really rough. Hot water was only warm (wasn't a show stopped and fixed on day 3). It's clear staff are aware of these problems. House keeping was also hit and miss. Each day there was something small they forgot. No coffee pods, no pool towels, etc.

The hotel loyalty manager, to his credit, did a pretty decent job of service recovery. On the last day was had a great cheese platter and some wine left in the room. I don't think it was a coincidence that our table at Harrisons was the best table in the house. Sufficient Bonvoy points for two free nights have also been promised.



Also as a Bonvoy gold I got to select from a lucky dip of prizes at check-in. Ours was 20% off F&B at all restaurants except the pool and room service. Great in theory, except getting a table at the restaurants was near on impossible. Also, between 4-5pm there was a happy hour for Bonvoy members in the Daintree Bar, which was a lovely spot when it wasn't full of kids (ok, happened one night).




All in all, I'd check out the Pullman if I were to return to the area. I did stick my head in. The pool area doesn't look as nice though but hardly terrible. Unless the lack of block out blinds is resolved, I wouldn't return to this hotel.

Our room had good privacy. Level three at the north end looking onto gardens and the golf course. Rooms onto the pools really lack privacy. At night you can see straight in with the lights on. Even the sheer curtain doesn't really help. Rooms onto the smaller lagoon pools would be more privacy, but again you have walk ways to access different area.

 

[Daver6]

Final thoughts on the region. I don't think I'm going to hurry back. For me a holiday is meant to be relaxing. Not planning my dinner reservations months in advance so I can dine where I want. Port Douglas was especially bad. The fact you can't get into restaurants, the hotel's own restaurants aren't accessibly really detracts from the experience of a relaxing holiday.

Maybe things will improve in future. Right now, it's not for me. It's expensive, far and just not worth the money.

 

[craven morehead]

To close the loop and give some feedback.

Cairns we booked a junior suite at the Pullman Reef with non-inlet views. No upgrade. Hotel was chockers. As others have said, not new but it was till pretty decent. Lovely size room with a good layout. Impressed that there was a nightly turn-down service.

As an Accor gold was given two free drinks which could be anything from the bar. I went a Martini.

Pool area isn't fancy but good enough. Was never busy. You could use the phone by the pool to order food/drinks. Used the parking for one night which was $12.View attachment 291513View attachment 291514View attachment 291515View attachment 291516View attachment 291517View attachment 291518View attachment 291519View attachment 291520View attachment 291521View attachment 291522

Good to see they haven't gone down the pump pack route yet and are still supplying individual amenities.

I normally stay across the road at the other Pullman. Next time I'll try this one out.

Did you consider Peppers Beach Club for accommodation at all in PD? The onsite dining is ordinary but a well-positioned hotel and good rooms.

 

[Daver6]

Good to see they haven't gone down the pump pack route yet and are still supplying individual amenities.

I normally stay across the road at the other Pullman. Next time I'll try this one out.

Did you consider Peppers Beach Club for accommodation at all in PD? The onsite dining is ordinary but a well-positioned hotel and good rooms.

I hadn't considered it. Location certainly looks convenient though.

 

[Daver6]

Couple of other points I forgot to mention.

Our flight CNS got in 30 minutes late, so around 11pm. There was a massive taxi queue and barely any taxis. Getting an Uber was a nightmare. Took forever for one to pick up the ride. I wish I had just organised a hotel pick-up.

Also in Port Douglas Beam scooters are available. Great idea, but the rates are pretty high. For a single person its can turn out to be only marginally cheaper than getting an Uber (assuming you can get one).