Are you planning a holiday to Cairns? The Queensland city is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. There’s also access to incredible tropical rainforests and plenty of white sandy beaches nearby. After exploring the most popular attractions, you can relax by the hotel pool, go for a swim and enjoy a few drinks. But which hotels offer these facilities and services in Cairns? That’s where we come in. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the top Cairns hotels with pool side & swim up bars for guests to enjoy.


Luxury Cairns Hotels with Swim Up Bars

1. Peppers Beach Club & Spa

A pool, a swim up bar, and ocean views are just a few of the perks of staying at the Pepper Beach Club and Spa. This 5-star hotel has stunning views of the Coral Sea and is only one minute away from Palm Cove Beach. There are a large variety of rooms available here, ranging from standard rooms to suites and penthouses. All rooms come with sitting areas, free WiFi, flat screen TVs, and air conditioning. However, you have to have an upgraded room to also enjoy kitchens, terraces, and balconies. The large resort has tons of amenities guests love, including a restaurant, three outdoor pools (one even has an artificial beach), and two bars (one of which is a swim up bar). There is also a spa, BBQ areas, tennis courts, and a tropical garden on-site.

  • Guest Rating: 8.5
  • Star Rating: 5 stars
  • Address: 123 Williams Esplanade, 4879 Palm Cove, Australia

Check Rooms Official site


2. Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

If a relaxed tropical hotel is more your vibe, then you’re sure to love the 4-star Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort. This Cairns hotel is only a 5 minute walk to the beach and is close to both Sunlover Reef Cruises and the Cairns Botanic Gardens. Rooms are modern in design, featuring mini bars, balconies or terraces, and free WiFi. Upgraded suites have lounge areas and luxury whirlpool baths. However, the best perk of all is there huge outdoor pool with a swim up bar and plenty of sun loungers on the deck. There is also a hot tub, gym, lobby bar, and a modern restaurant on-site called Moku Bar and Grill.

  • Guest Rating: 8.1
  • Star Rating: 4 stars
  • Address: 122 Lake Street, 4870 Cairns, Australia

Check Rooms Official site


3. Cairns Colonial Club Resort

A short drive from central Cairns and the Cairns Botanic Gardens is where you’ll find Cairns Colonial Club Resort. This 4-star resort got its name from the fact that it is housed inside a colonial-style complex. Inside the property, guests will find a poolside cafe, three lagoon pools with a swim-up bar, and tropical gardens. There is also a kid’s play area, tennis court, games room, and restaurant on-site. Further, accommodation options include rooms and apartments of varying sizes. All rooms feature mini-fridges, TVs, WiFi, and tea and coffee makers, while only upgraded units or apartments come with kitchenettes and private balconies.

  • Guest Rating: 8.1
  • Star Rating: 4 stars
  • Address: 18-26 Cannon Street, 4870 Cairns, Australia

Check Rooms Official site


4. Fitzroy Island Resort

Live your best life at Fitzroy Island Resort. Think of this resort as your own private island. The Fitzroy Island Resort is set on an island in the Coral Sea that is accessible only by ferry. In addition to sweeping views of the ocean and beaches on every corner, the resort has plenty of other perks. These include a 70s-themed bar, a modern restaurant, an indoor cinema, a games room, a kid’s play area, and best of all, a spacious outdoor pool with a swim up bar. Meanwhile, rooms, suites, off-site cottages, and private beach cabins are all up for grabs. Each type of room comes with tea and coffee makers, WiFi, and flat screen TVs. Only certain rooms have beach views, kitchens, dining areas, and balconies.

  • Guest Rating: 7.9
  • Star Rating: 4 stars
  • Address: Fitzroy Island, 4870 Fitzroy Island, Australia

Check Rooms Official site


Cairns Hotels with Pool Side Bars

5. Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Escape to paradise at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas. This 5-star resort is a Cairns institution, known for its stunning pools and beachside locale. In fact, the resort actually has 9 lagoon-style pools on-site, one of which has its own poolside bar, so there’s plenty of space for you to swim. Other amenities include a gym, a golf course, two bars, a buffet, and a refined restaurant. The hotel itself is also set among 147 hectares of tropical gardens. Finally, standard rooms, suites, and two to four bedroom villas all come with free WiFi, iPhone docks, sitting areas, TVs, and views of either the golf course, the pool, or the garden.

  • Guest Rating: 8.7
  • Star Rating: 5 stars
  • Address: Port Douglas Road, 4877 Port Douglas, Australia

Check Rooms Official site


6. Shangri-La Hotel The Marina Cairns

Does it get any better than the Shangri-La Hotel The Marina Cairns? We certainly don’t think so! This 5-star Cairns resort has two pools (one general pool and one specifically for children), and a poolside bar for adults to enjoy. Even more, there is a 24-hour gym, a seafront restaurant, and a second bar on-site. Inside, you’ll find rooms with contemporary and elegant designs, featuring private balconies and Egyptian cotton linens. Upgraded rooms and suites are available and they offer sea views, as well as access to the club lounge, where free breakfast and cocktails are served.

  • Guest Rating: 8.7
  • Star Rating: 5 stars
  • Address: Pierpoint Road, 4870 Cairns, Australia

Check Rooms Official site


7. Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa

Enter a tropical oasis at the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa. This natural sanctuary is located near the coast, not far from the Wildlife Habitat and Four Mile Beach. There are plenty of amenities you’ll fall in love with here, including a lagoon-style pool with a poolside bar, a hot tub, a gym, a golf course, and a trendy international restaurant. When it comes to room options, you can choose suites or apartments up to three bedrooms in size. Rooms are airy and modern, all offering air conditioning, WiFi, room service, whirlpool baths, mini bars, and satellite TV. If you opt for an apartment, you will also get a full kitchen, private terrace, BBQ, and a plunge pool or direct swim-out access to the main pool.

  • Guest Rating: 8.3
  • Star Rating: 5 stars
  • Address: Mitre Street, 4877 Port Douglas, Australia

Check Rooms Official site


Cheap Cairns Hostels with Pools & Bars

8. Summer House Backpackers Cairns

If you’re on a budget, there isn’t anywhere more lively than the Summer House Backpackers Cairns. This fun and laid back hostel is set near the Cairns Night Markets and Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome amusement park. Continental breakfast is thrown in for free, and other amenities include an outdoor pool, restaurant/bar, garden with hammocks, volleyball court, and indoor/outdoor lounge areas. Female-only and mixed-gender dorm rooms are available. These come with bunk beds, lockers, reading lights, linens, shared bathrooms, and free WiFi. There are also a small number of private rooms with en suite facilities.

  • Guest Rating: 8.4
  • Star Rating: 2 stars
  • Address: 341 Lake Street, 4870 Cairns, Australia

Check Rooms Official site


9. Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns

Party it up at Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns. This 4-star budget hotel is only a short walk away from Sunlover Reef Cruises at Cairns Marlin Marina and the Cairns railway station. Accommodation is mostly dorm style, with 4, 6, or 8 bed female or mixed gender dorms available. Most dorms have ensuite bathrooms and balconies, and some even come with mini fridges and TVs. Meanwhile, there are also private rooms with tea and coffee makers available. When it comes to amenities, you wont be disappointed. Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns offers an outdoor pool, two bars, kitchens, screens showing sports, and live DJs on certain nights. This is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to socialise and drink with a younger crowd.

  • Guest Rating: 8.3
  • Star Rating: 4 stars
  • Address: 57-89 Grafton Street, 4870 Cairns, Australia

Check Rooms Official site


10. Why Not Backpackers

Just two blocks from the beach lies Cairns’ Why Not Backpackers hostel. This Cairns hostel is close to shops and restaurants, making it a convenient location for travellers. Dorms are colourful and feature bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Private rooms are also available and they sleep up to three people. But we don’t think you’ll be spending much time in your room, as the hostel has tons of great amenities. These include an outdoor pool, terrace with palm trees, a casual bar and grill, a shared kitchen, and regular entertainment for guests.

  • Guest Rating: 8.3
  • Star Rating: 2 stars
  • Address: 5-9 Digger Street, 4870 Cairns, Australia

Check Rooms Official site


Cairns Hotels Map

For activities in Cairns, you can check our guide:

Check More Cairns Hotels with Pools


Summary

Cairns HotelsPool Bars
Peppers Beach Club & SpaSwim Up Bar
Novotel Cairns Oasis ResortSwim Up Bar
Cairns Colonial Club ResortSwim Up Bar
Fitzroy Island ResortSwim Up Bar
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port DouglasPool Side Bar
Shangri-La Hotel The Marina CairnsPool Side Bar
Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and SpaPool Side Bar
Summer House Backpackers CairnsHostel Bars
Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort CairnsHostel Bars
Why Not BackpackersHostel Bars
For all new cities, I go overboard on my itinerary, just to see every major attraction. Countries I've visited include New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Cambodia, Japan and Thailand. Mostly Asian countries. Next target - Europe!