Cairns North, a neighbourhood in Cairns, is home to The Reef Motel. Cairns Marlin Marina and Reef Fleet Terminal are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Cairns Esplanade and Palm Cove Beach. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Barlow Park or Cazalys Stadium. Visit our Cairns travel guide
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 4:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Payment types at the property
Important information
Fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
Breakage deposit: AUD 100 per stay
We have included all charges provided to us by the property.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Frequently asked questions
Does The Reef Motel have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at The Reef Motel?
As of 1 Oct 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Reef Motel on 1 Nov 2026 start from HK$518, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is The Reef Motel pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at The Reef Motel?
Self-parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at The Reef Motel?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at The Reef Motel?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is The Reef Motel located?
Located in Cairns North, this motel is within 1 mile (2 km) of Cairns Mudflats, Cairns Esplanade and Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. Icon Cancer Centre Cairns (Liz Plummer) and Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland are also within 10 minutes.
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Reviews
The Reef Motel Reviews
4.8
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
The room was clean, the bed comfortable and the staff friendly and helpful.
The room is dated and generally a bit shabby.
Renovations are in progress.
I would recommend the motel and will stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review
8/10 Good
Dianne
20 Sept 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The cost of the night was $110. For this the motel exceeded expectations. You pay for what you get. It was old, but clean. Water was hot, beds were clean and comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Robert
20 Jun 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
THE PROPERTY IS BEING COMPLETLY RENOVATED AND WILL BE A LOT BETTER IN THE FUTURE. THE STAFF WERE VERY FRIEDLY AND OBLIGING FOR A FEW ITEMS I REQUIRED.
AVOID staying here at least until the hotel is finished being renovated, they are currently offering the shabby outside rooms which LOOSLY dictate the rooms advertised.
The window next to the door had 3 of the required 10 vertical blinds to cover thewondow, they had to find a board to cover the window, the a/C is the old in wall type sealed up with masking tape, tv didn’t work, bed was 2 singles pushed together with only a mattress topper holding them together and the linen, bedding was clean tho.
Typically i “had the last room” so they couldn’t move me yet there was only 2 cars in the car park (one was mine) and one other unit with lights on and a blanket covering the entry window….
The manager was very nice, apologetic and sorted the winfow issue with a board, i guess fir $128 in Cairns this is what you get, i would be avoiding for a long time yet
AVOID
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Cat
14 Jun 2026
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Golly, where do I start....
I booked this placed as the listing said it had recently been remodeled - as in past tense.
However, upon arrival, it is still very much in the throws of a very large renovation.
And thank goodness. The room I stayed in was probably the original décor, circa late 70's or early 80's. Very dated bathroom, the TV was hit and miss whether it worked or not and I had to go and ask if the air con / ceiling fan were working because I couldn't find the switches to get them to work. Turns out it was on a console in the middle of the beds with faded writing.
The staff at "Reception" were very helpful: they hung onto my bag until it was time to check in as I'd arrived quite early in the AM, the maintenance chap was very quick to assist and the lady I tracked down to get some soap for bathroom was also very friendly.
I didn't mind that it's a solid 20 minute walk from the popular end of the waterfront. It's a really pretty stroll along the promenade to all the cafes/restaurants - it's well lit and plenty of people around. I felt completely safe wandering back to motel at night by myself.
The pros: comfy bed, black out curtains and phenomenal hot water & pressure. Only a 10 minute drive from airport by uber.
The cons: in the middle of a very large reno, and very much organised chaos.
If you can get past the decor (you're only in there to sleep and shower) it's cheap and I'm sure once the reno is completed, this will be a lovely place to stay.
Cancelled this booking on the 15th Sept as stayed on the 1st Sept and it was so bad we didn't want to stay here again!! This motel should not be in business. Plus the photo they have of the room is not correct.
This motel sis should not be open for business. Photos taken of the unit were not the correct ones. They were photos taken of the Oceanfront Resort. Very misleading. Motel unit was dirty and very run down.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Steven William
15 Jul 2026
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Property is currently under renovation so is a few minor problems but for package price more than reflected this. Staff were helpful
Dirty, dated, nothing like the photos of the room. Drapes were torn and at least 50 years old, bathroom was horrid. Maintenance crew had ladders banging against our windows and buckets etc rattling around right outside our room at 6.45am!!! Site location was the only thing good about the place as was right opposite the waterfront promenade. Never again...
We were travelling from Papua New Guinea to expend our break for 9 nights in the hotel. They kick us off at the last minute stating that they have water leak in the room. The staff are so arrogant and irresponsible. We were stranded with two kids, luckily my friend gave us accommodation until we find a new hotel.
No privacy as front verticle blinds were partially missing, had to take a sheet of bed to makeshift a privacy screen
When we arrived air con was set to 22 degrees, its winter and freezing cold , so the room stayed like an ice box
We had to ask for a doona as the room didn't have any ,only a super thin throw blanket ,which won't suffice in winter.
Only 1 pillow each, what the woke up with a sore neck and the mattress was dismal, like foam only, no support.
DO NOT BOOK! This accomodation does not EXIST!
Arrived at the building and it's an abandoned building, there were workers there that said it hads been closed down for a long time. We tried calling them several times throughout the day - no answer.
We have contacted lastminute and are in the process of getting this listing deleted.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review
4/10 Poor
Stephen
21 Jul 2026
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Just purely disappointing, no wifi as advertised, a tv that didn't work, couldn't recommend the place.
It is a very old resort undergoing renovation but the room I had was offensive. Trouble getting ac started, tv control was not fully functional, no hot water in the shower, trade materials lying around everywhere, no community facilities were operational. Danger do not go there