The best hotels in Cairns
Cairns has 8,000+ places to stay, and a surprising number of them will disappoint you with misleading pool photos, thin walls, and locations that put you 20 minutes from everything worth seeing. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in Cairns
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Cairns Central YHA
City Centre, Cairns
Free cancellation & Pay later
Cairns Plaza Hotel
Esplanade, Cairns
Free cancellation & Pay later
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
City Centre, Cairns
Free cancellation & Pay later
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Esplanade, Cairns
Free cancellation & Pay later
Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
City Centre, Cairns
Free cancellation & Pay later
DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns
Esplanade, Cairns
Free cancellation & Pay later
Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort
Esplanade, Cairns
Free cancellation & Pay later
Silky Oaks Lodge
Daintree Rainforest, Mossman
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cairns Sharehouse | City Centre, Cairns | $45–75/night | 7.2/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Cairns Central YHA | City Centre, Cairns | $72–99/night | 7.8/10 | Best Value |
| 3 | Cairns Plaza Hotel | Esplanade, Cairns | $105–145/night | 8/10 | Best Location |
| 4 | Mantra Esplanade | Esplanade, Cairns | $120–175/night | 8.3/10 | Most Popular |
| 5 | Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort | City Centre, Cairns | $140–195/night | 8.4/10 | Family Friendly |
| 6 | Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns | Esplanade, Cairns | $155–210/night | 8.6/10 | Top Rated |
| 7 | Pullman Reef Hotel Casino | City Centre, Cairns | $175–235/night | 8.5/10 | Business Pick |
| 8 | DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns | Esplanade, Cairns | $190–249/night | 8.7/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 9 | Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort | Esplanade, Cairns | $280–420/night | 9.1/10 | Luxury Pick |
| 10 | Silky Oaks Lodge | Daintree Rainforest, Mossman | $420–680/night | 9.4/10 | Romantic Stay |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
Cairns Sharehouse
This hostel-style budget option on Sheridan Street puts you right in the middle of the city centre without draining your wallet. Dorm beds are clean and the private rooms are small but functional. The communal kitchen is well-equipped and genuinely useful for keeping costs down. Staff are laid-back and helpful with reef and rainforest tour bookings. Not glamorous, but it does exactly what it promises.
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Cairns Central YHA
The Cairns Central YHA sits on McLeod Street, a short walk from the Esplanade and the night markets. Private rooms are compact but tidy, and the rooftop pool is a genuine bonus in the tropical heat. The common areas are social without being chaotic, which suits solo travellers well. Breakfast is available at a reasonable add-on cost. Good base for day trips to the Barrier Reef without paying mid-range prices.
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Cairns Plaza Hotel
The Cairns Plaza sits directly on the Esplanade, giving most rooms unobstructed views of Trinity Bay. It is an older property but rooms have been refreshed and are comfortable for a few nights. The lagoon swimming area and the night markets are both within a two-minute walk. Breakfast is served on the terrace and benefits from the water views. A solid choice if location along the waterfront is your priority.
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Mantra Esplanade
Mantra Esplanade on the Cairns waterfront is a reliable apartment-style option with studio and one-bedroom units that include full kitchens. The pool and barbecue area are well-maintained and popular with families. It is right across from the Esplanade Lagoon, which makes it ideal in the stinger season when ocean swimming is off limits. Check-in is smooth and the front desk staff consistently get good marks. The apartments feel more spacious than standard hotel rooms in this price bracket.
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Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
The Novotel Oasis on Sheridan Street is built around a large tropical pool complex that genuinely impresses, with a water slide and swim-up bar. Rooms are well-sized and maintained to a consistent standard. It is a short walk to the convention centre and the Esplanade, making it work for both families and business travellers. The on-site restaurant is convenient but unremarkable. Book a pool-view room for the best experience.
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Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Rydges Esplanade sits at the quieter northern end of the Cairns waterfront on Abbott Street and offers some of the best standard rooms in this price range. The pool area is large and rarely overcrowded. Rooms facing the bay are worth the small upgrade cost. The Tamarind Restaurant on-site serves solid modern Australian food and a decent wine list. Staff are attentive without being intrusive.
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Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
The Pullman sits above the Reef Casino on Wharf Street and is one of the most polished mid-range options in the city. Rooms are well-appointed with good beds and proper blackout curtains. The rooftop pool has views toward Trinity Inlet and is rarely busy. Being attached to the casino can feel a bit impersonal at check-in but the rooms themselves are quiet. Handy for the convention centre and the Reef Fleet Terminal for early morning reef departures.
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DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns
The DoubleTree on the Esplanade is a step above most options in this price range and often gets overlooked in favour of the bigger resort names. Rooms are generous, with proper work desks and good air conditioning that actually handles the Cairns humidity. The pool deck has direct bay views and the bar beside it is a pleasant spot at sunset. The warm cookie at check-in is a small touch that guests consistently mention. Service levels here are noticeably higher than at nearby competitors.
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Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort
Riley sits on the northern end of the Esplanade at Hartley Street and is the most design-forward luxury hotel in Cairns. The pool complex spans multiple levels and the swim-up suites are genuinely impressive. Food across the three on-site restaurants is consistently the best hotel dining in the city. Rooms feature local artwork and high-quality finishes throughout. This is not the place to cut corners on room category, the bay-view rooms justify the premium.
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Silky Oaks Lodge
Silky Oaks Lodge is set above the Mossman River in the Daintree Rainforest, roughly 75 kilometres north of Cairns. Treehouse rooms are built into the canopy and the sound of the river below is constant and calming. The Treehouse Restaurant sources ingredients locally and the quality matches the setting. Guided walks into the World Heritage rainforest are included in the experience. This is one of the genuinely special places to stay in tropical Australia and the price reflects it.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in Cairns
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Esplanade vs. City Centre: which side should you book?
The Esplanade wins for atmosphere. Hotels on Esplanade Street. like Riley and Rydges. are a 3-minute walk from the Lagoon, the Sunday markets at Fogarty Park, and the reef tour departure point at The Pier. You're paying a 15-25% premium for that location, but it's worth it if Cairns is your base for the reef.
City Centre hotels on Abbott Street, Lake Street, and Shields Street are the smarter pick if you're using Cairns as a transit hub to Kuranda, Port Douglas, or the Atherton Tablelands. The Cairns Transit Centre on Bunda Street is a 5-minute walk. You'll save $20-40/night and honestly won't miss the ocean view if you're out all day.
The Daintree: when Cairns hotels aren't enough
If you're doing the Daintree Rainforest, do it properly. Staying at Silky Oaks Lodge in Mossman means you wake up to the sound of the Mossman River gorge, you're 15 minutes from the Daintree Ferry crossing, and Cape Tribulation is an hour's drive north. This isn't a day-trip territory. it's a different world.
The Lodge is expensive at $420-680/night, and it's not apologising for that. Guided night walks, tree house suites, and a spa built over the river. Book the Treehouse Room specifically. it's elevated above the rainforest floor and the sound alone is worth the price difference.
Reef tours: what your hotel location actually means
Every reef operator departs from The Pier Marketplace on Pier Point Road or the Marlin Marina just south of it. Check-in is usually 7:00-7:30am. If you're staying on the Esplanade, you're 8 minutes on foot. City Centre hotels are 10-12 minutes. Don't let any hotel agent tell you a Sheridan Street property is 'close to the reef tours'. it's a 25-minute walk.
Book your reef tour before you book your hotel, not after. The top operators like Silverswift and Tusa Dive fill up 2-3 weeks out in July and August. Once you know your tour date, you can pick the hotel that gets you to Pier Point Road without a taxi at 6:45am.
Cairns in wet season: the honest take
November through April is wet season, and it's genuinely brutal some years. Temperatures sit at 28-33°C with humidity above 80%. Stingers close most beach swimming from October through May, though the Esplanade Lagoon is netted and safe year-round. Hotel prices drop 20-35% and some tour operators reduce schedules.
That said, the rainforest looks spectacular in the wet. The waterfalls around Atherton Tablelands. Millaa Millaa Falls, Josephine Falls. are at peak flow. If you're more interested in the Daintree than the reef, wet season is actually a decent time to visit. Just budget an extra day or two for weather delays.
Getting around Cairns without a car
Cairns city is genuinely walkable. The Esplanade to Cairns Central Shopping Centre on McLeod Street is 10 minutes on foot. The Night Markets on Abbott Street are 5 minutes from any Esplanade hotel. Sun Palm Transport runs buses to Palm Cove, Port Douglas, and Mossman from the Transit Centre on Bunda Street. around $20-35 each way.
Taxis from the Esplanade to Cairns Airport on Airport Avenue cost $20-25. Uber is available and usually 10-15% cheaper. If you're heading to Kuranda, skip the taxi entirely and take the Scenic Railway from Freshwater Station. it's the whole point of going.
Where to eat near your Cairns hotel
Shields Street and the surrounding blocks are the dining core. Ochre Restaurant on Abbott Street is the best native-ingredient menu in the city. The Night Markets on Abbott Street have 50+ food stalls open until late. better value than most restaurants and genuinely good for a quick dinner after a reef day. Avoid the waterfront tourist traps right at The Pier. overpriced and underwhelming.
For breakfast before early reef tours, Caffiend on Shield Street opens at 6:30am and does proper coffee. Ganbaranba on Grafton Street is the best ramen in the city and stays open late. If you're at Rydges or the DoubleTree, you don't need to walk far. but walk anyway. The in-house restaurants are fine; the city's better.
Cairns's best neighborhoods
Stick to the Esplanade or City Centre if this is your first time. The Esplanade gives you the waterfront, the Lagoon, and walkable dining without needing a car. Everything else is for people with a specific reason to be there.
Esplanade 4 vetted hotels Waterfront location, reef access, and the best people-watching in Cairns.
Waterfront location, reef access, and the best people-watching in Cairns.
The Esplanade is the obvious choice and the right one for most visitors. Hotels here sit along the foreshore between The Pier Marketplace and the Esplanade Lagoon. that free public swimming pool that replaces actual beach swimming in Cairns. You're 5-8 minutes walk from reef tour check-in at the Marlin Marina.
Prices run higher here: $105-420/night depending on the property. But you're paying for convenience, and in Cairns that actually matters. The difference between a 10-minute walk and a 25-minute walk to the marina becomes very real when your alarm goes off at 6:15am.
Stick to the stretch between Wharf Street and Florence Street for the best combination of walkability and atmosphere. Avoid anything advertised as 'Esplanade adjacent' more than 2 blocks inland. it's a marketing trick.
City Centre 4 vetted hotels Better value, less atmosphere. but smarter for anyone not here just for the reef.
Better value, less atmosphere. but smarter for anyone not here just for the reef.
The City Centre covers Abbott Street, Lake Street, Shields Street, and the blocks around Cairns Central Shopping Centre on McLeod Street. Hotels here are 10-20 minutes walk to the Esplanade and noticeably cheaper. Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort and Pullman Reef Hotel Casino both sit in this zone and punch above their weight.
The Cairns Transit Centre on Bunda Street makes this area the smart pick if you're doing day trips. Buses to Kuranda, Port Douglas, and the northern beaches all leave from here. You're also walking distance from the Night Markets, Cairns Central, and the bulk of the city's restaurants on Shields and Grafton Streets.
The YHA and Cairns Sharehouse are both here, keeping this zone accessible for backpackers at $45-99/night. But don't dismiss it as a budget-only zone. The Pullman runs $175-235/night and is genuinely excellent for business travellers or anyone who wants a proper hotel without Esplanade premium pricing.
Daintree Rainforest 1 vetted hotel A UNESCO World Heritage wilderness. Not a day trip. a destination.
A UNESCO World Heritage wilderness. Not a day trip. a destination.
Silky Oaks Lodge in Mossman is 80km north of Cairns, and it's not trying to be a city hotel. This is rainforest immersion: the Mossman River below your deck, walking tracks through the Wet Tropics from your front door, and darkness so complete at night you'll actually see stars. The Daintree Ferry crossing is 15 minutes south of the property.
Getting here means either a self-drive on the Captain Cook Highway. one of Australia's great coastal drives. or arranging transfers from Cairns Airport at around $120-150 each way. It's worth it. Cape Tribulation is 60km north, and the Mossman Gorge Centre run by the Kuku Yalanji people is 10 minutes from the Lodge.
This is the most expensive option in our Cairns guide at $420-680/night. But it's also the most unique by a significant margin. If you're choosing between one splurge night here or three nights at a mid-range Esplanade hotel, go Silky Oaks and don't look back.
Northern Beaches 0 vetted hotels Quieter, prettier, and a taxi ride from everything you came to Cairns to do.
Quieter, prettier, and a taxi ride from everything you came to Cairns to do.
Palm Cove, Clifton Beach, and Trinity Beach sit 20-35km north of Cairns on the Captain Cook Highway. None of our vetted picks are based here, but it's worth knowing the trade-off. You get actual beach swimming (stinger nets in season), a village atmosphere on Williams Esplanade in Palm Cove, and noticeably less tourist congestion.
The cost is isolation. A taxi from Palm Cove to the Marlin Marina for a 7am reef tour runs $50-60 each way. Sun Palm buses are cheaper at around $20 one-way but run on their own schedule. Unless you're renting a car, the northern beaches add friction to every activity based out of Cairns.
Good option for a second Cairns trip when you've done the reef and want to decompress. Not the right base for a first visit.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Cairns.
Romantic
Silky Oaks Lodge in Mossman is the only honest answer here. Treehouse suites over the rainforest river, no crowds, zero car noise. Nothing else in the region comes close.
Culture
Stay in the City Centre near Abbott Street and walk to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park on Kamerunga Road. it's 10 minutes by taxi and genuinely one of the best cultural experiences in North Queensland. The Night Markets on Abbott Street are good for a second cultural hit after dark.
Family
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort on Sheridan Street has the best family setup in the city: water slide, kids pool, and 5 minutes walk to the free Esplanade Lagoon. Kids who can't dive the reef yet will still have a full day's entertainment.
Budget
Cairns Central YHA on McLeod Street hits the sweet spot at $72-99/night. rooftop pool, private rooms, and directly connected to Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Cheaper than any Esplanade property with almost none of the compromises.
Beach
The Esplanade Lagoon on the foreshore is the city's best swim spot. free, netted, and open until 9pm most nights. Cairns Plaza Hotel and Riley are both within a 4-minute walk of the Lagoon's northern entrance.
Foodie
The Shields Street and Abbott Street corridor is Cairns's best eating zone. Stay at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino or Novotel and you're walking distance from Ochre Restaurant, the Night Markets, and a dozen good cafes on Grafton Street.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit Cairns
When to visit Cairns and what to pay.
Dry Season (June-September)
This is when Cairns is at its best and everyone knows it. Reef visibility hits 20-30 metres, rain is almost nonexistent, and temperatures are genuinely pleasant. Book reef tours 2-3 weeks out in July and August and expect to pay $140-195/night for mid-range Esplanade properties. The Cairns Festival runs in September and fills hotels fast.
Shoulder Season (April-May, October)
The smartest time to visit if you're flexible. April and May are post-cyclone-season but the humidity is dropping, temperatures are 24-30°C, and hotel prices are 15-25% lower than peak. October is similar. You'll share the reef with fewer people and still get solid visibility.
Build-Up (November-December)
The locals call it 'the build-up' and it's not a compliment. Humidity climbs to 80-90%, afternoon storms roll in daily, and the stinger season begins in earnest around November. Hotel prices drop to $85-180/night and there are deals to be had, but you need to plan around weather delays for reef tours. Christmas week is the exception. prices spike back to peak levels.
Wet Season (January-March)
Heavy rainfall, daily downpours, cyclone risk, and marine stingers in the water. Reef tours still run but get cancelled more often. Budget hotels drop to $65-99/night and even Esplanade properties dip below $150/night. Go if the Daintree and Atherton Tablelands are your priority. the waterfalls at Millaa Millaa and Josephine Falls are spectacular in flood.
Booking Tips for Cairns
Insider tips for booking hotels in Cairns.
Book reef tours before your hotel
The best reef operators. Silverswift, Tusa Dive, Passions of Paradise. depart from The Pier on Pier Point Road at 7:30am. In July and August they sell out 2-3 weeks ahead. Lock in your tour date first, then pick a hotel within a 10-minute walk of the marina so you're not scrambling for a taxi at 6:45am.
The Esplanade Lagoon is free. use it
Cairns has no swimmable beach in the traditional sense. Marine stingers from October through May and shallow, mudflat-style water mean most visitors are disappointed. The Esplanade Lagoon on the foreshore is the real swimming pool: free, safe, netted, and open until 9pm. Hotels within a 5-minute walk. Riley, Cairns Plaza, Rydges. are worth the premium for this alone.
Don't pay for parking you don't need
City Centre and Esplanade hotels charge $15-30/night for secure parking. If you don't have a car, untick it during booking. it's often pre-selected. If you do have a car, the Cairns Central Shopping Centre carpark on McLeod Street runs overnight at $10-12, cheaper than most hotel options.
Wet season deals are real but come with conditions
Hotel rates in January through March drop 30-40% across the board. Rydges Esplanade and Mantra can drop to $99-130/night on quiet weeks. But stinger season closes beach swimming, afternoon storms cancel reef tours, and cyclone watches are a real thing. If your reef tour gets cancelled twice, the savings disappear. Travel insurance is non-negotiable in wet season.
The Cairns Festival changes everything in September
The Cairns Festival runs across the last 2 weeks of August and into early September. Hotels fill up fast and prices jump 20-30%. Book City Centre hotels 6-8 weeks ahead for that window. The Festival centres around Fogarty Park on the Esplanade and Munro Martin Parklands on Greenslopes Street. proximity to both is a genuine advantage.
Check which floor your pool is actually on
Several mid-range Cairns hotels advertise rooftop pools that are technically on level 3 of a 6-storey building. That's not a rooftop. Riley's infinity pool is genuinely elevated with Trinity Bay views. Novotel's pool complex is ground level but large and properly maintained. If the pool view matters to you, ask specifically which floor before booking.
Hotels in Cairns — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Cairns.
What's the best area to stay in Cairns for first-timers?
The Esplanade strip along Esplanade Street is where you want to be. You're within a 5-10 minute walk of the free Lagoon swimming pool, the pier for reef tours, and at least a dozen decent restaurants on Shields Street. City Centre hotels on Abbott Street are a solid second choice and usually $20-40/night cheaper.
Is Cairns safe for tourists?
Cairns is generally safe, but avoid the area around Cairns Central Shopping Centre late at night. it gets rough after the pubs close on McLeod Street. The Esplanade walkway is well-lit and patrolled, and the tourist precinct around Lake Street and The Pier Marketplace is fine at any hour. Stick to those zones and you won't have problems.
When is the best time to visit Cairns?
June through September is the sweet spot. The dry season keeps temperatures around 25-27°C with almost zero rain, and the water visibility on the reef is at its best. Avoid November through March if you're not into 90% humidity, stinger season in the water, and the occasional cyclone warning closing your reef tour.
How much does a good hotel in Cairns cost per night?
Budget hostels like Cairns Sharehouse start at $45/night. Mid-range hotels on the Esplanade run $105-210/night. Luxury properties like Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort push to $280-420/night, and Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree tops out at $420-680/night for something genuinely remote and special.
Do I need a car to stay in Cairns?
Not if you're staying on the Esplanade or in the City Centre. The reef tour boats leave from The Pier on Pier Point Road, Cairns Central bus station connects you to the northern beaches, and taxis from the city to Smithfield Shopping Centre cost around $30-40. Rent a car only if you're heading to Port Douglas, the Daintree, or Atherton Tablelands.
Are there good luxury hotels in Cairns?
Yes, and they're genuinely worth the price. Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort on the Esplanade is the standout at $280-420/night, with a rooftop pool that overlooks Trinity Bay. DoubleTree by Hilton on Esplanade Street is a step down in price ($190-249/night) but still feels polished, and Rydges Esplanade Resort is consistently rated among the top 3 properties in the city.
What's the cheapest decent hotel in Cairns?
Cairns Central YHA on McLeod Street is our pick for value under $100. It's a proper hostel with private rooms from $72/night, a rooftop pool, and it's literally attached to Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Cairns Sharehouse runs even cheaper at $45-75/night, though the vibe is more backpacker party house.
How far are Cairns hotels from the reef?
All Esplanade and City Centre hotels are within a 10-15 minute walk of The Pier Marketplace on Pier Point Road, where the Great Barrier Reef tour operators depart. The boat trip itself takes 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on which part of the reef you're visiting. Book your reef tour at least 3 days ahead in peak season (July-August).
Which Cairns hotels are best for families?
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort on Shields Street is the standout family pick. It has a dedicated kids pool, a water slide, and it's a 5-minute walk from the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. The Esplanade also puts you close to the Night Markets on Abbott Street, which kids tend to love.
Is it worth staying in Palm Cove or Port Douglas instead of Cairns?
Palm Cove (30 minutes north) is quieter and prettier, but you'll pay $40-60 each way in taxis to reach Cairns for reef tours. Port Douglas (70 minutes north) is genuinely beautiful and closer to the Daintree, but it's a commitment. Stay in Cairns for your first trip, then base yourself further north once you know what you're doing.
Are Cairns hotels expensive compared to other Australian cities?
Mid-range is comparable to Brisbane, maybe 10-15% cheaper than Sydney. You'll find solid 4-star Esplanade hotels at $120-175/night, which would cost $180-220/night in Sydney Harbour. Budget options are genuinely cheap here. $45-75/night for a central bed is hard to beat in Australia.
What should I avoid when booking a hotel in Cairns?
Don't book anything that claims 'city views' on Sheridan Street past the overpass. it means car park views and a 25-minute walk to the waterfront. Watch out for 'resort fees' tacked onto cheaper mid-range properties. And never book on the basis of a hotel pool photo without checking if it's actually heated. half of them aren't usable in winter.