What’s the most covetable thing you can find in a hotel? How about personality? The Crystalbrook Collection, which has five properties around Australia, three in Far North Queensland, certainly has this in spades. There are no dull, dated hotel rooms, dingy gyms, or boring restaurant menus in sight. Instead, in Cairns, at the Riley, Bailey, and Flynn (opening 31 March 2020), you’ll find a unique personality, and interesting experiences to match in each distinct property. So what can you expect from each?
Image: Pool at Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
Riley
The important stuff
The oldest of the three Cairns properties, Riley is located in prime position on the Cairns waterfront boardwalk. It has 311 rooms and suites, most with spacious balconies. There’s a 1,000-square metre lagoon swimming pool with private man-made beach, Eléme Spa and a 24-hour fitness centre.
Image: Suite at Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
Image: Lobby at Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
What’s different?
More like a sophisticated yet quirky young gentleman than an urban hotel, Riley is quite the eligible bachelor. In the rooms you can expect five-star luxury with fun, yet sophisticated interiors for a rejuvenating retreat, while the social spaces are where things get a little different. “Calories don’t count when you’re on vacation,” according to Riley, and thank goodness they don’t because you won’t want to miss the local, sustainable options available. Greenfields offers a fresh menu of grass-fed meats, ancient grains and seasonal produce for a snack or lunch on the go. If it’s a dinner date you’re after, Paper Crane emulates the flavours of Asia with a theatre kitchen, local seasonal produce, and a well-stocked drinks menu. Then for a drink with a view, there’s the magnificent rooftop restaurant and bar Rocco. The Mediterranean inspired share-plates menu focuses on small artisanal producers, while the ambience is one of high sophistication – definitely the icing on the cake at the end of a day with Riley.
Image: Guest room at Bailey, A Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
Bailey
The important stuff
This modern, innovative hotel is in the heart of Cairns CBD, making it a great base for business travellers, and holiday-makers alike. There are 255 rooms, a 24-hour fitness centre, a pool, four meeting and events spaces and bikes for use.
Image: CC's Bar and Grill at Bailey, A Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
Image: Pachamama restaurant and bar at Bailey, A Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
What’s different?
If you’d describe yourself as arty, Bailey might be more your style, for there’s an attention to the arts here not found anywhere else in town. The property hosts artists-in-residence as well as artworks from the local community, showcasing the real spirit of Cairns and beyond.
Rooms have been designed with modern tech to make your stay as easy as possible such as staycast video streaming, an Apple iPad Control Centre and a Nespresso machine. Plus the focus on design accents are sure to appeal to your inner artist.
When it comes to eating and drinking, there’s fine food instead of fast food, long red wine lists rather than a bar fit for a rave, and three distinct eateries to choose from. CC’s Bar and Grill is a steakhouse inspired by Crystalbrook Station – one of the cattle stations in Queensland that stock Crystalbrook’s restaurants. Milk Bar is reminiscent of the ultimate Aussie milk bar, serving up over-the-top milkshakes, delicious jaffles, ice cream and more. Then if a little Latin fusion sounds more exciting, Pachamama is a vibrant restaurant where you can enjoy a Pisco Sour on the rooftop followed by authentic Latin flavours from Argentina to Spain, Chile to Portugal.
Image: Guest room at Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
Flynn
The important stuff
The youngest sibling of the three Cairns properties, Flynn has 311 rooms and suites, three floors of restaurants and bars, Eléme Spa, a 24-hour fitness centre, three meeting and event spaces, and bicycles to get around.
Image: Boardwalk Social at Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
What’s different?
Flynn is the wild child of the Crystalbrook Collection. Where other hotels are serious and sophisticated, Flynn is vibrant and fun. Think bright, colourful interiors, glass swimming pools, and food and drink options with a DJ always ready to get the party started. There’s Flynn’s Italian, because everyone wants a delicious pasta paired with wine on vacation, Whiskey and Wine, where you’ll find blues music, high tea and creative cocktails, and Boardwalk Social, a gastropub-cum-marketplace where 80% of the produce is sourced locally. Dull isn’t a word that exists at Flynn.
Image: Pool at Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
Ready to explore the wilds of the North? Check out our Cairns Travel Guide!
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