Cairns Harbourside Hotel

In February 2024, Cairns-based owner Taisei Kanko ended more than three decades under the Holiday Inn flag and relaunched its Esplanade waterfront property as the independent Cairns Harbourside Hotel. The 173-room hotel, expanded from its original 100 rooms in 1993, is now self-managed under general manager Glen Macdonald, with a Far North Queensland-led restaurant concept replacing the franchise playbook.

The place

The hotel sits directly on the Cairns Esplanade in Cairns North, facing Trinity Bay, within walking distance of the Esplanade lagoon, the Night Markets and the CBD, which the hotel also serves with its own shuttle. It is a waterfront address rather than a reef-departure one: guests come for the promenade, the tropical gardens and the harbour outlook.

The concept

Taisei Kanko Australia, a Japanese tourism investor that has owned the property since 1991 and expanded it from its original 100 rooms to 173 in 1993, ended its Holiday Inn franchise agreement in February 2024 to relaunch the building as a self-managed, independent hotel. The switch from a global brand to local management was built around Glen Macdonald, appointed general manager after more than 12 years running Fitzroy Island Resort, who has framed the repositioning around a distinctly Tropical Queensland identity in design, food and service. Every room keeps its private balcony, looking out over water, mountain or tropical garden views.

Dining & wellness

Dining centres on Harbourside Bar & Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant and bar built around local Far North Queensland produce and an organic-leaning wine list, with indoor, poolside and patio seating overlooking Trinity Bay. The hotel also has an outdoor pool with adjoining spa, tropical grounds, and function space for up to 120 guests, alongside a complimentary CBD shuttle.