DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns

The hotel is quite old, so the facilities are also dated. We were initially given a room on the third floor that smelled musty, but thankfully, they moved us to a better room the next day. The room itself was spacious, and the cleanliness was acceptable. Breakfast was just okay. I did like the hotel's tropical rainforest-style environment. I booked a sea-view balcony room, but all we got were rooms with a side view of the ocean. The Western restaurant on the first floor was good, and as a Hilton member, I received a 15% discount.

Staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns for 3 nights across two rooms, I genuinely feel it offers exceptional value for money! Upon arrival at the front desk for check-in, we were immediately greeted with warm chocolate chip cookies. Having just gotten off the plane and feeling a bit hungry, it was such a welcoming touch. The front desk staff was incredibly friendly and thoughtfully arranged for our rooms to be on the same floor, which was incredibly convenient for traveling with elderly parents and children. The rooms themselves were clean and tidy, with good views and scenery. Breakfast was fresh with a wide variety of choices, and the service staff were all very friendly. Downstairs, there's a restaurant and a ping-pong table, which our kids absolutely loved playing with. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to try the swimming pool. Its location is another huge plus: Right across the street is the aquarium, and it's just a 5-minute walk to the beach. Walking to the marina for boat trips takes about 10–15 minutes, making it convenient to get everywhere. Overall, the experience was fantastic. For family travelers, this is absolutely the perfect choice!

The Asian lady at the front desk (I think her name was Gigi) was exceptionally kind and helpful. It was a great experience with excellent service.