Cairns City Palms
by the TopOfHotel team
Cairns City Palms is a Cairns North motel-apartment with free parking, a palm-shaded pool and the shortest airport run on this list — score 7.4.
Cairns City Palms is a Cairns North motel-apartment with free parking, a palm-shaded pool and the shortest airport run on this list — score 7.4.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Cairns City Palms keeps it simple. Rooms range from motel suites to apartments in a handful of sizes — plain but clean, with a fridge and air-con in every unit. Some come with a kitchen or kitchenette and a private balcony, which is the smart choice if you'd rather cook a few meals than eat out for every one. Don't expect designer finishes or a lobby that photographs well; this is functional, motel-style accommodation that does the basics properly and charges accordingly. The apartment units, with their extra living space and self-catering setup, are the ones families tend to book.
Food and amenities
The property leans practical over fancy. There's a snack bar and deli on site for quick supplies, a tour-booking desk that sorts reef cruises and day trips out to the Atherton Tablelands, a concierge, a garden to unwind in, and Wi-Fi throughout. The piece guests single out is the outdoor pool, set in a tropical garden under the palms the hotel takes its name from — a real cool-down after a day in the Far North Queensland heat. Self-caterers will appreciate the kitchenette units, which let you cook breakfast and store cold drinks; everyone else gets the pool, the free parking and a quiet base a few minutes from the centre.
Location and getting there
You're at 199 Sheridan Street in Cairns North, right up against the city centre. The standout is proximity to Cairns Airport, roughly 5 km away — the closest hotel on this list, about an 8-10 minute drive. That makes it an easy first or last night. The catch is the waterfront: the Esplanade is a 12-13 minute walk, and the reef-cruise marina is further still, so the beachfront buzz isn't on your doorstep.
Things to know before booking
Two honest caveats. First, the 7.4/10 guest score (129 Trip.com reviews) is the lowest on this list — solid and clean, not special. Second, it's motel-style: amenities are basic, there's no resort polish, and you're a 12-13 minute walk from the Esplanade and marina. If a waterfront address or a full-service hotel matters to you, book higher up the list instead.
Our take
Cairns City Palms is the value play. If you're driving, want free parking, a pool and the shortest airport transfer in town — and you can live without luxury — this is the pick we'd point you to. Rooms from around $100 a night make it the cheapest sleep here, and for budget-minded families or anyone hiring a car for the Tablelands, that's a fair trade.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A 4-star motel and apartment property in Cairns North that sits right against the city centre, so you can walk to shops and cafes.
- Rooms come in several sizes, from motel suites to apartments, and some units add a kitchen or kitchenette plus a private balcony — useful if you'd rather cook than eat out.
- An outdoor pool sits in a tropical garden shaded by the palms the hotel is named for, a genuine cool-down after a day on the reef.
- Free in-house parking makes this an easy base for anyone hiring a car to explore Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands.
- At roughly 5 km it's the closest stay to Cairns Airport on this list, and rooms start near $100 a night — the best value here.
- The 7.4/10 guest score is the lowest of any hotel on this list, so set expectations to solid-and-clean rather than special.
- It's motel-style with basic amenities — clean and functional, but not a resort and not luxurious.
- It's a fair way from the Esplanade and the marina; budget a 12-13 minute walk or a short drive to reach the waterfront.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Cairns
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Cairns — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in CairnsAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Book it if you're driving — the free on-site parking saves the $25-plus a night that central Cairns hotels often charge.
- Ask for a unit with a kitchen or kitchenette so you can self-cater and trim your food budget.
- Being closest to the airport, it's a smart pick for your first or last night in Cairns when you want an easy transfer.