Cairns Southgate Hotel

The rooms and hallways smelled strongly of cigarettes, cigarette butts were scattered across the balcony, and there was hair all over the bathroom sink. It didn't look cleaned at all. While we were out, one of the housekeepers took a bag of my belongings from the room. At reception they said there was no record of the room being cleaned, even though the beds had been made and fresh towels put out. The manager had a housekeeper search the pickup bins for my things, but nothing turned up. I had shoes, clothes and underwear worth over $300 in that bag and asked for their value back. I also offered to let the manager inspect my room, but she refused and said it was my word against the hotel's. She said she'd talked to the housekeeper who had “cleaned” the room, but never brought her out to speak with me. She didn't seem to care or apologise for the trouble, and made a snarky remark about my shoes being in the same bag as my dirty clothes. There are no cameras except at reception, so I can't check footage of anyone entering my room. Her service was absolutely horrible. The manager, an older woman, was cruel and careless about anything to do with the hotel that didn't concern her. Don't waste your time here. You can find cleaner, safer places in cairns for a better price.

The bed and shower were good, and there was plenty of space. Everything else was a struggle. The pool was dirty, with chairs in it, and the hallways and stairs were filthy. Renovation noise during the day made it impossible to work in the room. The restaurant, bar and guest laundry were closed. The room wasn't ready when I arrived at 3pm, and I couldn't get in until after 4pm. The kitchen had too few utensils to cook a meal, no tea towels and not enough dishwashing supplies. Good thing I had my own while travelling in a camper. On a long stay, you pay extra for room service; otherwise you handle cleaning and rubbish disposal yourself. Staff seemed not to care about any problems. DO NOT STAY THERE FOR MORE THAN ONE NIGHT.

The one helpful person was the kind woman at Reception. When I told her I had to leave because of the room, she didn't seem surprised and almost looked embarrassed. The place is advertised as 4 star, which feels dishonest and misleading when standards are this poor. I was meant to stay four nights, but from check-in I could smell cigarettes, mould and dirt. The bedding was filthy, and after heating food in the microwave, I found a fork in the drawer that looked like someone had eaten off it and put it straight back. The carpet looked like it had never been vacuumed, and the whole place stank. Doors banged all night, and I felt unsafe. A window outside my bedroom was damaged, as if someone had tried to break in with a crowbar. I didn't feel safe there day or night. The Reception woman's service is the only reason I give it one star. Don't book here; you'll regret it as soon as you arrive.

The room hasn't been cleaned during my four days here. I've had to take out the rubbish and ask for clean towels, soap and other supplies. There are no plates or bowls, and nowhere to wash dishes. The cold water tap handle came off as soon as I arrived, and I had to wait until the next afternoon to shower. The free laundry is available, but it's locked from 5pm until 9am.