The Pullman Reef Hotel Casino is one of the best places to stay in Cairns. Located in Cairns City, enjoy 5 star luxury, incredible food and a holiday (or staycation) in Cairns you will not forget.
I stayed as part of a collaboration in March, 2019 and photographed both the Superior King Room and the Junior King Suite rooms and enjoyed the many experiences on offer by the hotel. Read on to discover (from experience) my top 10 reasons you need to stay at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino when visiting Cairns.
1. Luxury
Just one word: luxury. There is no denying this hotel, situated within the Cairns Casino, is the height of tropical luxury. As you will see as you scroll on through, everything from the rooms, to the bathroom, to the hallways and restaurant gives you that instant ‘I’m on holiday’ luxury vibe. And this begins right from the moment you enter the lobby.
2. Rooftop Pool
Hello pool goals! Pullman Reef Hotel Casino is equipped with a rooftop pool. You can enjoy an evening swim (is there anything better?) underneath the fairy lights strung above like the stars or spend your days lazing around the pool side.
3. Bubble bath goals
We’ve had pool goals, now let’s introduce you to bubble bath goals. If you choose to stay at the Junior King Suite, you can enjoy a very bubbly bubble bath overlooking the Trinity Inlet out to the ocean surrounded by the mountains of the Great Dividing Range.
If you stay at the Superior King Room you can also enjoy bath goals, overlooking your beautiful hotel room and views across Cairns City.
4. Tamarind, the most awarded restaurant in Cairns
No luxury hotel would be complete without an epic restaurant and the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino delivers. You can choose from a range of dining options from Flinders Bar and Grill, Merchant Cafe and Bar 36. When we stayed we enjoyed a decadent meal with drinks at Tamarind Restaurant, Cairns’ most awarded restaurant.
You can preview the delicious Tamarind menu here. Tamarind also offers a gluten free and vegetarian menu, as well as a children’s menu for families.
5. The most ‘I’m on holiday view’ ever
You don’t get more “I’m on holiday!” than looking out from the Junior King Suite over the Trinity Inlet as a cruise ship is pulling in for their shore excursions in Cairns.
Or to be honest, even without the cruise ship… This blue and green view has holiday written all over it.
6. Room service is better on a king bed
It’s a scientific fact (okay, I have a psychology degree I can’t write ‘scientific fact’ without recoiling, but it ‘provides evidence that supports a scientific theory’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it) that room service is better on a king size bed. Don’t argue with me until you’ve tried it yourself. Order yourself some room service, grab a magazine and veg out in the most luxurious of ways.
7. Centrally located
I’ve mentioned it earlier but the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino is so well located it needed its own point on this list of reasons to stay here. Located within the Cairns Casino building, the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino is situated between Abbott and Wharf Street in Cairns City. Only a 5 minute walk to the Cairns Esplanade, a 6 minute walk to the Reef Fleet Terminal (hello gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and tropical islands) and a 12 minute drive to both the Cairns International and Domestic Airports.
Cairns attractions also offer transfer pick up and drop off services meaning you can enjoy attractions like Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and day tours like Jungle Tours without having to organise your own transport.
You can find Pullman Reef Hotel Casino’s exact Google Maps location here.
8. Smashed avocado included in breakfast
Don’t forget to enjoy breakfast at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino. I was blown away that in addition to a fantastic and full buffet, we could order smashed avo as well. Seriously, best breakfast ever? Yes.
I’m not joking when I say every now and again I remember this breakfast (and the unexpected joy of seeing smashed avo included in a hotel breakfast) and think ‘that was good…’
9. Or enjoy breakfast in your room looking out over Cairns
If you’re not up to heading down to breakfast (perhaps enjoyed a little too much at the bar the night before) you can enjoy breakfast in your room looking out over Cairns city.
10. Cairns Zoom & Wildlife Dome
And finally, something very unique about this building (and one of the most unique things in Cairns): Cairns Zoom & Wildlife Dome. Located in the dome roof of the casino, get your adventure on with a ropes adventure course mixed with wildlife park. While this is not connected to Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, I do recommend checking it out while you are here. My favourite Cairns Zoom activity is the Dome Climb (pictured below) where you can take in the incredible views over the Coral Sea, Trinity Inlet, Cairns City, mountains and hotel (I spy the rooftop pool!). If you are staying at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino with your children, this is a great added bonus.
We had a fantastic weekend staying at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino and I highly recommend this hotel for anyone looking to treat themselves while here (locals or visitors!)
You can book online here.
If you are visiting Cairns, you may also be interested in
- 101 Things to Do in Cairns
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