Cairns Colonial Club Resort, Queensland, Australia

So I've left this one a little late. 'Late' is being kind, as it's now around 18 months since we actually visited the Colonial Club. It's so late that the only way to leave a Trip Advisor Review is to lie and say we visited in August 2015 (as opposed to, ahem, 2014). Of course, lying aside, it's been so long that I can't really remember it very well, so it wouldn't be a very accurate review - or, perhaps, a fair one, as who knows what might have changed in the last year and a half. Anyway, for anyone considering this hotel or looking for accommodation in Cairns, I'll try to help.

We first visited this hotel over ten years ago, on the recommendation of my mother-in-law. The recommendation came mainly because of the beautiful tropical grounds, and I can see why. The hotel has several swimming pools, landscaped to look like natural waterholes, and the grounds are filled with tropical vegetation and an abundance of wildlife (listening to kookaburras and spotting the odd bandicoot may be yawnsome for the natives, but it's pretty exciting for a Brit who's used to pigeons and worms). Unfortunately, when we visited (both times), it was winter. Back in 2004, this wasn't a problem. Winter in Queensland is like summer in Britain, with temperatures usually in the late twenties. That said, the pools were pretty shady and actually very cold, so our admiration stayed aesthetic. In 2014, however, it was a different story - the temperature was around nineteen degrees and it was rainy. The pools didn't even look inviting, let alone feel it. It was a big disappointment, as the grounds were one of the reasons we chose to come back to this hotel - visions of lying by the pool with a book, watching the children frolicking in the water, quickly evaporated. The pictures are of the grounds back in 2004 - the picture below those, taken on a boat trip from Cairns, demonstrates why I didn't bother taking any picture of the grounds in 2014...

Pool at Colonial Club Resort

The restaurant can be seen to the right

The restaurant is on the left and a pool on the right

Near Cairns, August 2014 - lovely weather!

We didn't actually spend a whole lot of time at the Colonial Club on our most recent visit - we were only there two nights. I can remember that the staff at reception were very friendly and helpful, the food in the restaurant was delicious the night we ate there, and it's a bit of a maze trying to find your room.

As for the rooms, they've certainly improved a bit since we were there in 2004. Whilst we loved the hotel itself and the grounds on our first visit, the room was more Hi-de-Hi than hotel. It was clean and comfortable, but definitely more functional than luxurious.

Room at Cairns Colonial Club in 2004

When we booked for 2014, the only option that allowed us to have our children in the room was a studio apartment. It wasn't huge but it did have a separate bedroom for the adults, allowing the children to sleep on sofa beds in the lounge (it would be quite spacious if there were only two of you). There were also basic cooking facilities, which we didn't make use of (other than the fridge), and a TV in both rooms - bonus. As I can't remember much more about it, I'll let my video (below) do the talking. Overall, I would recommend the Colonial Club Resort for a stay in Cairns. The hotel is a little outside the centre but it is a short drive or cheap taxi ride away. The setting is lovely if you have the time and weather to enjoy it, and it was actually very reasonably priced (which was a welcome change from 2004!).

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