South Cairns Resort

The children loved the clean pool and had fun in the McDonald's play area, and we slept really well. Staff were helpful, and the location was excellent. At first we were taken aback by the run-down playground and old rooms, which looked as if the place hadn't been renovated since the 80s. In the kitchen, a sharp knife, dishwashing liquid and a cloth would have helped, and a small camp bed in the rooms would be useful as an extra bed. Still, we had a lovely stay. Thanks to the new management.

The place felt more like a halfway house than a resort, and the restaurant was closed. There was no housekeeping at all. The rooms were tired and poorly maintained, with a lumpy bed, broken tiles, swollen laminate and a broken sliding closet door.

It was a good price for the limited options nearby, and I'd stay again. The hotel is older and on the Southside, about a 10-15 minute drive into the city, so it suits you if you don't plan to go in much. My room was spacious, a little old, and very clean, with quality linen. There’s a good Chinese restaurant on site. The food was good enough, though not great. I was only there for one night.

I spent about four months at the resort while my home was being renovated, and it felt like a home away from home. Darren, Helen and their friendly team looked after all my needs. Darren was knowledgeable and able to deal with any problems that came up. Helen was professional, detail-focused and kept the rooms to a very high standard. They always greeted me with a smile and a little chat, and nothing seemed to be a problem. My room was large and comfortable, with a small kitchenette, a comfortable large bed and an extra bed for visiting family. The bathroom was spacious, with an overhead bath shower and good water pressure. After work, the clear, refreshing pool was lovely. The restaurant attached to the resort was clean and welcoming, with delicious Chinese food, generous servings and lovely presentation. The staff made me feel welcome every time I ate there. There was plenty of parking, the grounds stayed tidy, and the guest rubbish bins were emptied at dawn. A bus route is a short walk away if you don't want to drive. Two major shopping centres are a short drive away, and a local shopping centre is a five-minute walk. It's a great resort for a short or long stay, close to all facilities. Darren, Helen and team, I'll recommend the resort to family and friends visiting Cairns. Thanks again, Gabriel Roberts, room 25.