The Crystalbrook Collection is Cairns’ newest array of hotels, comprising of Riley, Bailey and Flynn. Each with their own personality and style, not only are these resorts the very definition of 5 star luxury, they also come with a range of amazing dining (and drinking!) experiences.
Whether you are looking for the best spot for Friday night drinks in Cairns (Fridays at Riley!), a place to super charge your Sunday sesh (Super Sunday at Paper Crane), a luxurious (but boozy) brunch from Cairns’ best rooftop bar (Rocco’s Rooftop Brunch) or the ultimate venue that will satisfy even the most social of social butterflies (Flynn’s Boardwalk Social), the Crystalbrook Collection is a hub for all of the best places to eat and drink in Cairns.
Jump down for Fridays at Riley and Super Sundays.
Jump down to Flynn Boardwalk Social.
Jump down to Rocco’s Rooftop Brunch.
Fridays at Riley
Looking for Friday night drinks in Cairns? Check out Fridays at Riley.
As a part of the Riley by Crystalbrook Collection Resort, Friday nights can be enjoyed at their Paper Crane, Greenfields or Rocco venues. The Riley hotel is centrally located along the Cairns Esplanade (131-141 Esplanade, Cairns City) and my friend Rachel and I got a little bit too tipsy at Paper Crane for our choice of Friday night drinks.
Paper Crane is located right next to Riley’s luxurious pool, which is great for adding to the atmosphere (and photo ops).
Order what we ordered here.
Super Sundays with Riley
For those looking to supersize their Sunday sesh, Riley also has you covered.
Sorry, couldn’t help it again with a photo op next to this pool!
You can sit inside or enjoy the afternoon sun out on the deck, accompanied by live music.
And next up we have…
Boardwalk Social with Flynn, a Crystalbrook Collection.
Open to the public in January 2020, Flynn, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort is host to an array of dining and drinking venues, and full to the brim of an incredible and addictive atmosphere. True to its reputation as the ‘Wild Child’ of the Crystalbrook Collection Resorts, at time of writing, we are still waiting for what will surely be a marvellous entrance into the Cairns hotel scene. However, the opening of Boardwalk Social brought many fantastic bars and food stalls to the already heaving Cairns Esplanade precinct. You can find Flynn (stealing the show, of course) on 85 Esplanade, Cairns City.
With multi-levels, bars, dining areas, enormous decking and a pool or two in the mix, Boardwalk Social gives every Cairns visitor and local alike the instant ‘I’m on holiday’ slash ‘living my best life’ feels.
Two for me, and none for you :))
Boardwalk Social went all out to impress during their opening party – and this included synchronised swimmers (why not?!)
Always partial to a little gin and strawberry
Might just stay here, thanks.
Rocco Rooftop Brunch
And for those who want a touch of luxury to their regular brunch, Rocco by Crystalbrook hosts a champange brunch at their rooftop bar, with incredible ocean views across the Coral Sea and along the Cairns Esplanade. To get here, head straight to the Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection resort (131-141 Esplanade, Cairns City) and tap Level 12 in the elevator.
Rocco’s Champagne Brunch includes a glass of champagne, a share menu to match and your choice of two additional drinks.
First course was a selection of bagels, yoghurt pots and chai pudding. I chose the yoghurt, berries & granola pot and the avocado, cherry tomato and dukkha loaded bagel.
If you’re a smoked salmon lover, rest assured as the other bagel option was smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and red onion loaded bagel – a crowd favourite.
Second course: excuse me I’ve died and gone to heaven.
And a selection of desserts to finish.
Before a chai tea demonstration and delicious chai tea!
Little old me feeling very full and satisfied with life choices at this point.
When life returns to normal, you can book your own Rooftop Champagne Brunch with Rocco and I, for one, can’t wait for life to return to normal again.
*Disclaimer: I enjoyed all the above experiences for free in exchange for promotion on social media and creating content. This blog post is separate to this arrangement.
