Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Breakfast was a highlight, with lots of fresh, delicious options. Before we arrived, Shangri-la communicated really well, and everyone we met on staff was great, from the porter and front desk to the restaurant team. Our room was spotless and comfortable. We didn't get a chance to use the pool, though it looked very inviting.

The marina, waterfront walk, restaurants, tour departures and shops are all just steps from Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns, making it easy to get around Cairns. Our room was spacious and comfortable, with a large soaking tub in the bathroom that was lovely for unwinding after a day out. Everything felt clean and well cared for. It's a pleasant, dependable base for exploring the area or heading out on a Great Barrier Reef trip.

The breakfast buffet and pool were both nice, and the location worked well for getting to snorkel and dive boats at the marina. The pool bar pizza, though, wasn't good. We stayed four nights and never received housekeeping. The room was big but sparse, and the shower setup was odd, even though it did have a handy long retractable drying line. We got good offseason value through the Chase Edit program, but otherwise I'd look at other options.

The staff really made the stay. They were friendly, polite and helpful, and the service was fantastic, which can be hard to find in Cairns. I found they handled requests and bookings better in person than over the phone. The hotel has a breezy, open feel, a nice buffet breakfast and a huge, fun pool with plenty of shaded seating. The rooms are spacious with excellent views, but they're outdated and need maintenance. It isn't a ritzy place, and the rooms probably needed a renovation at least ten years ago. Cairns is more about adventure than opulence anyway. I'd absolutely book again with a big family or group of adventure seekers. I'm very anti-tipping, but the staff nearly tempted me.