Loved it

We booked a Executive Ocean View Suite Surprise through the internet on very short notice (less than a week) and loved it! Locally made chocolates and a small bottle of port on our arrival and every second day during our stay. Fabulously huge room. The breakfast buffet was included in the deal for every morning and we thoroughly enjoyed it - although yes, there were a lot of Japanese foods available, and there was plenty of other choices if you weren't that way inclined. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff, right down to the picnic basket they prepared for us, so we can have a meal on the Esplanade. Loved the fact that there was hardly any cane furniture. Being large people, we found all the furtniture very comfortable. Everything was within walking distance, or a $6 cab ride will get you anywhere in town, or alternatively there is a bus stop right on the esplanade outside the hotel.

Good location but a bit dated

The Tradewinds is ideally located on the Esplanade and is only a few blocks away from the centre of Cairns. The hotel itself is OK although it was a little bit dated and shabby and could do with being refurbished. The furniture looked old and on one of our windows it had a clear plastic film on it which had been put on badly and was full of air bubbles (very strange!).

However, having looked round the area whilst we were in Cairns it seems that most of the hotels (apart from the Shangri-la) was of the same standard.

I would recommend the hotel - the staff were helpful and the location is good - as long as you aren't expecting a bit of luxury!!!

FYI we had breakfast once at the hotel and wouldn't recommend it - we found some good places serving a decent breakfast at a reasonable price just 5 minutes down the Esplande.

What a great surprise!

For the price, this hotel was unbeatable. I am reluctant to write how great a secret this place is, for the rates will surely increase. Very helpful staff, huge rooms, best view in town.

The food was ordinary, no original artwork, and a nondescript lobby loaded with tour groups. If those things matter that much, this hotel is not for you. For the price paid I expected far less, and I rate the hotel accordingly.

Nice views....

My husband and I stayed here for only a night (thankfully) in Decemer 2004. We got our room on a last minute website, so we had the top floor executive suite. The decor looked like it was from the 1970's and although the room was very large, it was not very nice at all. The views were lovely, except the pidgeons were sitting on the balcony rails constantly leaving poo (which I scratched my arm on). Breakfast was fairly average, catering more for the japanese tourists. One thing that really p*ssed us off was when we went to check in, a couple of japs pushed in, and the man serving at the counter served them first despite actually verbally acknowledging we were next considering we had already been waiting for 10 minutes! So some poor customer service there. And to top it all off, I had a nice hot shower later that day, and went to put on the bathrobe provided in the wardrobe - only to find that BOTH robes had already been worn (and not washed) as evidenced by the perfume and makeup stains on it!! Hopefully the sheets were washed!!

Great Views!

I stayed here for 3 nights at the end of June 2004 with my wife. The hotel was great and just what I expected. We had a great ocean view from our room and the balcony was great for relaxing. The room was clean and tidy and had all the usual fittings including a fridge. The room was large and we had 2 queen beds. The staff at the hotel are very friendly. The pool looked great and also had a spa. The grounds at the hotel looked outstanding at night when it was dark as they lit flame torches every night along the foot paths and the trees were lit with fairy lights- Nice touch in my opinion. The hotel is close to everything. I would definately stay at this hotel again!

Very Nice Hotel

Great ocean views and nice clean rooms. I really liked this hotel. I almost stayed at the Radisson but was glad that I changed my mind.

Tradewinds Esplanade - friendly staff

Stayed at Tradewinds Esplanade early April 2004. Very friendly staff, beautiful views from balcony. Large clean room . Comfortable bed. Good breakfast buffet. Easy walking distance to shops, restaurants and ferries. One problem was that their bar closed early at about 9.30pm so we had to get drinks from dining room.

OK

We went there in August 2003 for a few days after we travelled around Australia. The hotel accomodation was very good. One minor was that the swimming pool was not heated and in the shade from the early afternoon.

The rooms were very big. This hotel is very popular amongst Japanese people. In fact, we were the only not-Japanese people at that time.

Location, location

Great location, with lovely views across the bay, however remember the bay are just mud flats.

Just a short walk into the main town for great selection of restaurants and bars.

Room was a great size, although it and the remainder of the hotel are starting to look a little worn.

Staff friendly and helpful, good facilites (useful mini laundry room), great pool, reataurant good (but there is better avaialbe in the town).

Its a stop over hotel so be prepared to see lots of japanese tourists!

So sunny...its snowing!!!

The balcony views were magnificent as we were looking out onto the Coral Sea and Trinity Inlet. Everything looks so tropical and fresh and clean - I could yodel....!!!!! (only kidding about the snow). Tradewinds is a great hotel for location - just far enough away - but walking distance to the city, restaruants and shops - and new Cairns lagoon. All the staff are really nice and the restaurant seafood buffet was scrumptous.