Rydges Tradewinds Cairns

Spend any amount of time at Rydges Tradewinds and you'll come to appreciate just how much tourist traffic Cairns receives. This towering 246-room hotel almost always seems busy and full; it plays host to an endless parade of tour groups, many of whom congregate in the airy lobby or on the front steps. It's also a popular choice with families and Aussie couples from Sydney and Melbourne. Though not intimate, this property is efficient -- the lobby offers a swift check-in process and the restaurant turns over diners at a fast pace.

In terms of centrality, this is arguably the best hotel in town. Situated on the street known as the Esplanade, Rydges Tradewinds Cairns is within five minutes' walk of the epic saltwater swimming pool known as the Lagoon, and is almost as close to the marina, with its upmarket waterfront dining options. Walk inland and within 10 minutes you'll hit the retail and dining options of downtown Cairns. Taxis often park outside the hotel or can be hailed on the Esplanade. The hotel offers an airport shuttle and valet parking, both for a fee. Cairns airport is a 10-minute drive away.

The rooms at Rydges Tradewinds are simple and lack style. What really lets them down is the tired condition of the furnishings -- in particular, the carpets, which are worn thin or stained in some rooms. The color palette of blue, cream, and brown, paired with the generic artwork of underwater ocean scenes and occasional wicker furniture accent, lends a slightly beachy vibe. Dated popcorn ceilings point to the building's age. The bathrooms also look worn. Beyond the cosmetic shortcomings, the rooms offer decent value with minibars, cable TVs, in-house movies, air-conditioning, access to 24-hour room service, and free (if patchy) Wi-Fi. Many rooms -- including some of the standard rooms -- feature nice balconies.

Rydges Tradewinds Cairns offers most of the features that you would expect from a large, upmarket hotel. In true Cairns style, the swimming pool is extravagant, with swaying palms and poolside drink service. The hotel's spa offers good-value treatments with a sea vista. There is no gym on-site, but guests may use the gym at another Rydges property which is about five minutes' walk away. The restaurant, Drift on the Esplanade, fails to inspire at breakfast but does better with lunch and dinner, offering solid renditions of resort fare like steaks or fish and chips. Tourists are well looked-after, with an abundance of multi-lingual staff and a tour desk in the lobby. Reception is manned 24/7.