More about Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina
Excellent location
by TripAdvisor Member blue4funofit
The location of the Shangri La is excellent. It's a block away from the downtown district, and there is a shopping center on the main floor of the hotel. The cruises for Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef depart from a location adjacent to the hotel. The Green Island is an excellent snorkeling adventure for swimmers who are just learning to snorkel, or for those who would rather be able to snorkel for a few minutes, then stand up and still be able to touch the bottom. Be sure you bring a towel, though, they charge $5 to borrow one.
The decor of the lobby is minimalistic chic, very zen. The front desk staff were gracious. I was less than impressed with my room, it was very minimalistic Ikea style, and the minimalism made it feel a little cheap. It wasn't lacking anything, and the toiletries are lovely. The hotel is built around a courtyard, and I was very confused trying to find my room. The views I had in both rooms (the first had been smoked in, so I changed) were both non-impressive, looking out on the courtyard.
I booked on Wotif, and got the same rate I would have paid for a dirty hotel room downtown. Great website!
Very Nice
by TripAdvisor Member stevemustangred
Stayed July 2, 2006. We were upgraded to a club room. Had complinentary drinks and snacks in the evening and a good continental breakfast.
The marina view was pleasant and we enjoyed our drinks on the balcony. Furniture was minimalistic, but the bed was extremely comfortable. The room was spotless.
It is located right on the marina so it was convenient to walk to our charter the next morning. They stored our extra luggage overnight while we were out on the reef.
It is a short walk to downtown and the Esplanade.
The staff was very accomodating and friendly. It was one of the nicest hotels we stayed at in Australia.
We loved it too
by TripAdvisor Member AlVic
The rate was OK, the room was comfortable, over all very satisifed. Especially when we had a noise problem (neighbours leaving at 6am), we were transfered straight away, very helpfull staff.
Excellent!!!
by TripAdvisor Member stuart_cox
We stayed at this hotel during October and found the service to be great, along with the nice decoration and layout of the hotel. The hotel was very clean and the staff were very courteous. A shame to leave really........
Great location
by TripAdvisor Member Adrina
The hotel is 15 mins away from the airport by Taxi. It costs around AUD$20 to get to the hotel from the airport. The hotel is located right on the pier so it's extremely convenient to walk over to catch the ferry/boats in the morning.
We stayed in a twin room and they had one king sized bed and one single bed. The rooms were extremely spacious. Our room was on the first floor and we could walk out to a garden space (shared with the other hotel guests) just outside our room. Rooms on the second floor had balcony. The rooms very clean but a bit dark as there weren't enough lights around the room. The bathroom is also very clean and had a nice bathtub and a shower unit. They only provided minimal amenities, but one call to housekeeping and they will deliver everything you ask for.
The breakfast in the morning was not bad. Eggs were made to order by a chef behind the counter. They also have a small section with a selection of Japanese style breakfast (e.g. miso soup/rice/congee). You need to sign a slip each morning and stating your room number before they show you to a table.
Just outside the hotel is a road called "Esplanade" and there are lots of restaurants along this road. Excellent choices for dinner and all are open till quite late into the night.
Located nearby is a Lagoon which is like a public swimming pool. It's open at night as well so you can have a swim and relax there after dinner as the hotel swimming pool is not open at night.
They have a tour desk right opposite the lifts which are open in the morning till 8pm. The staff there are extremely helpful and friend, especially Aikra. They can help you plan all our activities during your stay in Cairns so you do not have to book in advance or go to other information centres in town. They accept cash and credit card for payment.
This hotel is very Japanese tourist friendly. There is lots of Japanese staff around the hotel so if you are coming from Japan, there is no need to worry if you don't speak much English. Actually Cairns in general are very Japanese friendly as there seems to be quite a large Japanese community living around this area.
This is a great hotel to stay in during your visit to Cairns and I would highly recommend this to everyone.
Fantastic Place
by TripAdvisor Member Long-haul-traveller
This hotel was the best one that we stayed in on our trip to Australia. It has been refurbished to an extremely high standard.
Check in was most efficient and our bags were whisked up to our room. As we were a honeymoon couple a bottle of champagne was brought to our room on our arrival. We stayed in the horizon club room which overlooked the marina. The room was very Thai in style with the most amazing bathroon with a glass window (electric blinds if needed), I was able to lay in the marble bath with a glass of champagne watching the boats dock in the marina!
As we were staying in the horizon club it was free drinks and nibbles between 5pm and 7pm and there was a vast selection of both, the tempura prawns were a favourite with a nice chilled glass (or three) of white wine. The staff were most attentive and friendly and we got talking to a couple who had been visiting and staying at the hotel for about 30 years. We had even bought a number of pictures in Perth and were finding it difficult to squash them into our bags and the hotel arranged for them to be posted to England and they were there on our return. Nothing was ever too much trouble.
The breakfast was buffet style and everything you could ever want was on offer and the hotel was always spotless. Thoroughly recommended.
We lucked out with our stay in this hotel
by TripAdvisor Member lizzydoc
I had no idea when when we booked "The Horizon Floor" as to what we were in store for. The room was sleek, relaxing and minimalist, with a large glass walled bathroom. The view was over the Marina, and just a few steps to the boats which take you to the great Barrier Reef. There was a large porch witn teak furniture.
The Horizon Floor offered a convenient and delicious continental breakfast with yogurt, smoked salmon, cereals, toasts and other bread. Maybe the only improvement would be the availability of self-service coffee, as the attendant had other concierge chores for the guests, and was busy for the second cup. This is a wondeful perc, as was the "free" cocktail hour between 5-7PM of tapas, wine, juices and soft drinks, all included.
The attendant knew everyone's names, with special check-ins and check outs, right on the floor. Nice pool, and located near the Cairns lagoon for swimmimg also. I want to come back again. The whole atmosphere of the town is South Beach of Miami Beach in1952. Buy some land now!
Super Shangri la
by TripAdvisor Member traveller365
A great hotel, a great location and a great city.
Stayed at the Shangri la for 3 nights second week of November.
Everything you expect from a Shangri La property u get at this hotel
A really comfortable room with a really comfortable bed, a great bathroom,great service,
Anyone going to Cairns has to stay here to have a memorable stay.
Difficult To Fault
by TripAdvisor Member MysticMong
We stayed here for 3 nights in November and it is difficult to fault.
It is a high quality hotel for the money we paid. Very nice room, very comfy bed although sheets would have been preferable to a duvet. Can't imagine who needs a duvet in Cairns!
The location out on the marina is excellent. With all the shops, bars and restaurants downstairs you could go days without leaving the building. 50 metres to the marina fingers where all the boats leave to head out to the Great Barrier Reef.
Not completely convinced its a true 5* hotel but excellent none the less.
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