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Aparthotel

181 The Esplanade

4.0 star property

Photo gallery for 181 The Esplanade

Deluxe Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View | Terrace/patio
Lobby
Outdoor pool, pool loungers
Front of property
Full-sized fridge, microwave, stovetop, dishwasher

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Parking included

Explore the area

View map
181 The Esplanade, Cairns North, QLD, 4870
  • Place, Cairns Esplanade
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Cairns Base Hospital
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, Cairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.)
    ‪5 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View

Deluxe Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View | Terrace/patio

Deluxe Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View

  • 120 sq m
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

View all photos for 2 Bedroom Apartment

2 Bedroom Apartment | Private kitchen

2 Bedroom Apartment

  • 120 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for 2 Bedroom Ocean View Apartment

2 Bedroom Ocean View Apartment | Private kitchen

2 Bedroom Ocean View Apartment

  • 120 sq m
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 5
  • 2 Twin Beds and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Two Bedroom Garden view apartment on Ground floor

Two Bedroom Garden view apartment on Ground floor | Living room

Two Bedroom Garden view apartment on Ground floor

  • 120 sq m
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

Two Bedroom Apartment with Ocean View (Upper Level)

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for Two Bedroom Ground Floor Apartment

Private kitchen

Two Bedroom Ground Floor Apartment

  • Sleeps 4

Deluxe Two-Bedroom Apartment With Ocean View (Free Wifi Access)

  • Sleeps 4

Two-Bedroom Apartment

  • Sleeps 5

Two-Bedroom Garden View

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for Two Bedroom Apartment

1 bedroom, pillow-top beds, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Two Bedroom Apartment

  • Sleeps 4

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Exterior
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About the area

Cairns

With a stay at 181 The Esplanade in Cairns (Cairns North), you'll be steps from Cairns Esplanade and 4 minutes by foot from Cairns Base Hospital. .This beach aparthotel is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland and 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Cairns Private Hospital.
View more Aparthotels in CairnsOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Cairns Esplanade - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Cairns Base Hospital - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Cairns Central Shopping Centre - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Esplanade Lagoon - 5 min drive - 3.2 km

Getting around

  • Cairns Station - 3 min drive
  • Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) - 7 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Smith Street Cafe - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Muddy's Cafe - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Atrium - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Yum Sing - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Cock & Bull - ‬6 min walk

About this property

181 The Esplanade

Salt air and outdoor pool, near Cairns Esplanade
181 The Esplanade offers 21 accommodations with private hot tubs and washers/dryers. Rooms open to balconies. Accommodations offer separate sitting areas. Beds feature pillowtop mattresses. Accommodations at this 4-star aparthotel have kitchens with full-sized refrigerators/freezers, stovetops, microwaves, and separate dining areas. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Televisions come with cable channels and DVD players. Additionally, rooms include coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards. Housekeeping is offered weekly and in-room massages can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a limited basis.

An outdoor pool and a hot tub are on site. Other recreational amenities include a sauna.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Treat yourself to a stay in one of the 21 guestrooms, featuring private hot tubs. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Rooms have private balconies. Kitchens are outfitted with full-sized refrigerators/freezers, stovetops, and microwaves. Cable programming and DVD players are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected.
Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a sauna. Additional features at this aparthotel include complimentary wireless internet access, babysitting (surcharge), and tour/ticket assistance.
Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby, dry cleaning/laundry services, and luggage storage. Free self parking is available onsite.

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub
  • In-room massages
  • Outdoor pool
  • Pool loungers
  • Private hot tub
  • Sauna
  • Steam room

Internet

  • Available in the apartment: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car hire
  • Free extended parking on site

Family friendly

  • Childcare (surcharge)
  • Cot: AUD 11 per night

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Hob
  • Microwave

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Rollaway/extra bed: AUD 25 per night

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room
  • Separate dining area
  • Separate sitting area

Entertainment

  • 42-inch TV with cable channels
  • DVD player

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Laundry service
  • Washer/dryer

Climate control

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Blackout drapes
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Housekeeping (weekly)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Vending machine

Location highlights

  • In a business district
  • Near a train station
  • Near the airport
  • Near the sea
  • On the boardwalk/promenade
  • On the Strip
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals nearby
  • Boat tours nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Scooter/moped rentals nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Water skiing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • 1 building
  • 10 floors
  • 21 units
  • Built in 1995
  • Connecting units available
  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and an access code; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 6 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Access code, front desk (limited hours), private entrance

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for AUD 25.0 per night
Cribs (infant beds) are available for AUD 11.0 per night

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Crib (infant bed) fee: AUD 11.0 per night
  • Rollaway bed fee: AUD 25.0 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts major credit cards; cash is not accepted
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is professionally cleaned

We should mention

This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

181 Esplanade
181 Esplanade Apartment
181 Esplanade Apartment Cairns North
181 Esplanade Cairns North
181 The Esplanade Aparthotel
181 The Esplanade Cairns North
181 The Esplanade Aparthotel Cairns North

Reviews

181 The Esplanade Reviews

8.6

Excellent

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 151 out of 349 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 139 out of 349 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 43 out of 349 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 12 out of 349 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 349 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Derrick

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is great! As other reviews stated, the inside has 1980s Miami vibes but we loved it! It wasn’t the cleanest place I’ve stayed, there was a dirty towel and qtip sticking out from the bed when we checked in and because the accessories are dated it just doesn’t feel super clean. All that said, this place is perfect if you’re looking for a place for your family to stay while you’re out seeing the sights all day. Great views, places to play games and hang out, laundry, and amazing location! We are at Muddy’s a lot and the food was incredible! I would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allison

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy access, good communication, friendly staff unit was clean and had a great view. Would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

R

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort

Stort stay in Cairns

This was a short 2 night stay in Cairns prior to heading home. The property was conveniently close to Cairns airport, and was a high rise apartment block appearing to be generally permanent residents, with a few rooms available for short term rental. The room itself was well equipped and everything was clean and comfortable. Whilst the room was a little dated in decor, all of the equipment was new and clean. Secure underground parking was also included. Certainly I would stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Quentin

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed in 2 bedroom ocean view apartment on 3rd floor. While slightly dated still excellent and would highly recommend, clean and very generous amount of space throughout. Great location, 15 minute walk along the Esplanade to the marina terminal. Restaurant next door was fantastic also.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sam

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very accommodating- early check in, late check out
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

4/10 Poor

Mark

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property is a 30 minute walk to city centre. Nothing near hotel. Also, reception desk is only open until 12:00 on Sundays but check isn’t allowed until 2:00. They were supposed to send me check in instructions but didn’t even after I sent an email from the airport. When I showed up at11:30 I couldn’t get onto the property because the address is on a street with a locked gate. Go somewhere else. Terrible location and worse service and poorly maintained property.
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Colleen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This properly was clean and neat. The 2 bedroom is a large unit with a large kitchen and sitting area. I do recommend getting some more AC in the bedrooms, but the living area was comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

4/10 Poor

Thierry

Disliked: Cleanliness

Mr T

The place is nice and pleasant with a nice esplanade. Wonderful view. But now fir the price we have paid thats nit enough. I stay for 1 week. The furniture are old Nobody come to change for towels or change the sheet of the bed. If it's only to pay for 1 week in advance and after the Tartare Desert with nobody... better to go to the hotel for the same price. Very desapointed.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

LEWIS

booked an ocean view room and didn’t get one they blamed Expedia
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shellae

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Jacob

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort

Not a 4 star hotel - just a very decent apartment

Clean enough - there was dust on top of fridge and under bed (it moved). Overall it was clean and good location. Didn’t appreciate we had to take the garbage out and put in the chute - wish it was known. Furniture was dated could use an upgrade. Better coffee instead of just powdered. Maybe a bottled waters when people arrive. And WiFi range was not great in bedroom. I would still recommend this - we were staying in some 5 star properties before getting here - hence my expectation was higher. Appreciated having the laundry after all the cairns adventures.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dennis

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
At the quiet end of the esplanade with great views over the ocean . Easy walking distance to muddys and playground, cafe and beach volleyball and and not much further to main activity hub We walked to RSL and cenotaph on the esplanade for 11/11 commemoration and then on to public pool for a dip. Really easy walk. Staff were really friendly and accommodating as we needed to stay a bit longer, no problem for them Everything we needed in the apartment, really comfortable lots of room , large lounge and balconies,full kitchen and good bathrooms. Really nice pool. Would highly recommend and will definitely stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Sharron

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location and our apartment had a fabulous view of the sea and esplanade. Furnishings and the bathrooms would benefit from some updating, but this would not deter us from staying again. Car parking was very secure - great to have a dedicated, numbered bay.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Arnola

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Perfect location, view and wonderfully helpful and friendly proprietors, that being said the apartment is untouched circa 1990's, run down to the point of threadbare. The couches need to be thrown out, and all the kitchenware is in such a degraded state that an op shop wouldn't resell it. Please fix these things and you would be on a winner.
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Sharon

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

Barry

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
There are lots of good points that should have scored this apartment higher - the location is good, and very quiet; the sea view was wonderful; the secure parking in the basement was outstanding; the apartment was spacious, clean and well kitted out; the shower was very powerful and it was great having two bathrooms. However, the flat was quite tired; the spa bath had been disconnected (so was only a bath, which was not as advertised); there was no DVD (so also not as advertised); TV channels were limited; there was no remote for the bedroom TV; and the internet connection was poor. Overall, it could have been so much better with some attention to detail. The owners might want to take note, as this apartment is no longer exactly as advertised on Expedia.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joey

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stay as long as you can in this delightful spot. The building itself was clean and secure. The apartment, specifically, was roomy, well maintained, and easily felt like home as soon as you walk in. Fantastic views of the ocean and mountains (and bats at sunrise!). This is on the north end of the esplanade, so it was a bit quieter but within a few minutes walk you are in the heart of the hustle and bustle of it all. I would recommend this spot highly to my friends.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and big open rooms. View was excellent. Had issues with the water pressure, which was fixed by a plumber that day.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Peter

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
A/C was broken. Furniture tired. Floor coverings tired
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gayle

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The apartment we stayed in had a beautiful view of the esplanade, it had all the amenities we needed for a long stay it was clean and the staff are very friendly and helpful
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Yu

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location is perfect, we also liked the pool and spa there. Staff are kind and helpful. Will definitely come back again!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Veronica

Liked: Room comfort

Ocean View?

Ocean view or Garden view? If you look closely you can see the ocean through the trees but I paid for an ocean view. This was not it! Lots of great space with two bathrooms, laundry and all the basics in a kitchen. A local phone in the apartment/lobby would have been very helpful. Bit of a hike to get to the Esplanade/Marina but definitely doable. Surfaces were all very clean but if you look up or down you will find plenty of dirt, ants and even mold. For a short term stay this place will do the trick but a bit of investment or even fresh paint would do this building some justice.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

4/10 Poor

Ningappa

Travelled with family
Disliked: Amenities
Old apartment , amenities are limited , A/C was too cold in one room vs nothing in the other bed room, blinds were not closing property . Need revamp . no nearby convince store as well .

6/10 Okay

Robin

Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Nice sea view and very spacious accommodation. For the price however, it all felt a bit old and tired. Mmmmm beige. The kitchen was well equiped but the cups were all filthy with coffee rings. The laundry was great but the machine was excessively loud which meant we couldn’t have it on while kids were in bed. We were woken at 2am each night from a loud plumbing noise that we guess was the cistern filling when a person in another apartment used their toilet. Being directly under the 6am flight path capped off the lack sleep.