On the back end of yet another bitter Melbourne winter, coupled with the lingering symptoms of tonsillitis, I was more than ready for some down time. I decided to venture north to defrost in the abundance of Vitamin D that fills the Far North Queensland air. Having been to the city of Cairns a number of times, I feel like a pseudo local, yet this time an exciting opportunity revealed itself in the form of a relatively new Luxury Hotel known as ‘Riley’ by Crystalbrook Collection.
Conveniently located on the Cairns Esplanade, Riley’s eye-catching architecture is impossible to miss. From the moment of entry, you can’t help but feel relaxed by elegant coastal design of the open plan hotel lobby. The lobby’s large glass windows, that during the day, open directly to the pool, with views that extend to the beach, set the perfect relaxing tone for your stay.
Already feeling relaxed from the check-in experience, I slowly made my way up to my Panoramic Sea View Room. Upon entry to the room, the view simply took my breath away. The floor to ceiling glass walls that overlook ocean make you feel as if you’re hovering over the water. The rooms are spacious, with so much room for activities – alongside all the amenities you need to make your stay comfortable. An honourable mention goes to the stand-alone bath that sits next to the window sharing the above-mentioned view – just be careful, once you’re in you won’t want to leave.
In the centre of the hotel precinct, is the giant pool with plenty of quiet nooks and open spaces where you can laze the day away. If you get hungry or thirsty the poolside cafe and restaurant have you covered and will deliver directly to your spot by the pool.
Speaking of food, Riley has all bases covered, showcasing a number of quality hospitality offerings on site. Greenfields is your colourful brunch spot; Paper Crane delivers the restaurant vibes servicing up some fine Asian fusion dishes and Rocco is the classy rooftop bar specialising in mixology and tapas. Riley also offers the trusty hotel buffet breakfast and 24 hr room service.
Needless to say, I’m a fan, and I’ll be back. It is comforting to know that Riley lives in the Far North and I don’t have to leave the country to get my tropical hotel fix.
If you have any feedback or questions feel free to leave a comment or message me directly in the ‘contact me’ link.
Thanks for reading.
