We stayed here for 4 nights during the end of the Wet Season. Our first night we got in late due to a delayed flight out of Ayers Rock. When we walked into the room it certainly smelled a little musty, but we were tired and ignored it. The sheets, towels, and bedspread were all a little damp. It seems that the air conditoner couldn't keep up with the humididty. The next day after we returned from a trip to the Reef, we walked in the room to discover a horrible stench.It was practically unbearable and while we never have done so before, we asked for a new room and they gave us one a floor up. The new room wasn't as bad, but still was musty and damp. The smell in the new room wasn't great, but it was bearable for the next few days. However, I just can't recommend staying here as the old building can't keep up with the humidity of the season.

So, here's what's up with the Cairns Plaza... This place was a nice hotel about 25 years ago. It really really needs updating. There is a pool that nobody has probably been in since 1984 (let's not even talk about the hot tub (OY!)), and everything about the hotel is old and ready for repair. This all being said ... the staff was so nice, it has all of the amenities you may need -- mini bar, restaurant, shampoo, soap, clean towels, etc. -- that it isn't a disaster. It is simply a budget hotel, in a GREAT location, that will do just fine if you're a budget traveler (which we were, and it is what we expected). Although I was a little disappointed when we arrived, I decided that it wasn't that bad and actually ended up having a little fondness for the place.

For the price, this was a very good deal. They have great views over the Esplanade, a restaurant, pool, and very good service! They rooms are spacious, with A/C (A MUST in tropical Cairns) and clean rooms. They even have a bathtub (a first for any hotel I stayed in during my 2 weeks in Australia.) Over all, a good clean room for the budget traveler.

It's new name is called Cairns Plaza hotel. But the old name Tuna Tower is still on the building. We booked the hotel on the plaza hotel group site, AUD115/night for an ocean view suite. We stay in room 707 in April. Big suite with large living room with microwave, sink, fridge, dinning table and sofa bed, one bedroom, and bathroom. There is a large balcony for the living room and one for the bedroom, great view of the Carol Sea. The hotel is somewhat old with worn carpet. It was a bit unclean and wasn't vaccumed. But it was good location and good for the money we paid. It's 15 minutes walk to the Reef terminal where all of the reef excusion leave. A walk down the Esplanade, there is a RSL club at 115 Esplanade. An excellent place to book your excusion and tours. Lyn at the RSL club wsa very helpful on giving inside info on each tour company and give you valuable advise on which tour to choose. Plus RSL Club is a none profit org. so it's in business pruely on helping people. They don't keep the commission that tour company pay them. You get the commission as a form of discount. RSL Club doesn't advertise this since they won't want the tour company to know about it. We took Lyn advise and booked 2 tours through the RSL Clut, got 10% off and the trip was good. Walked passed RSL club are many restaurants, expensive since they're right on Esplanade. If you inland, away from the waterfront, there are more food options and a bit cheaper. The hotel is also 15 minutes walk from the main bus station. We took the bus to Palm Cove, 50 minutes bus ride from Cairns AUD1.60 return for the bus fare. Palm Cove is a small beach community. The bus stops right in the middle of the town on the beach. Very convienent. It's great place to go for a day on the beach. The hotel also has coin operated washer and dryers. A great feature when you want to wash swimming suits and cloths for the trip. Most expensive hotels don't coin laundry service. You can buy small box of soup from the laundry room so you don't need to worry about bringing it on the trip.