Outdoor pool, sun loungers
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Reviews of Reef Palms Motel

3.5 out of 5
Reef Palms Motel
41-47 Digger Street, Cairns North, QLD

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 343 out of 777 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 294 out of 777 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 103 out of 777 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 27 out of 777 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 777 reviews" "

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Patricia

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The room smelt dirty and there were heaps of flies in the room shower wasn't cleaned properly mould on the curtains floors not cleaned properly. I needed to spray perfume to disguise the smell. I am glad it was only for 1 night.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

8/10 Good

Melanie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loy, the desk manager was very helpful. He gave us a ground floor room when he learned of my husband’s disability. He also recommended a nearby restaurant, and called a previous hotel in an attempt to find a lost item.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

2/10 Terrible

Lucy

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was absolutely filthy. Thick layers of dust on everything bathtub and shower had black hairs all over.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Sarah

Travelled with group
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Be aware that checkin ends early; though they tried to give us late checkin information, we didn't get it because we didn't have data. Room was nicer than we thought it might be, but dishes have to be cleaned manually and that was a pain when we had to leave at 4am to get our flight.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Reef Palms on Apr 14, 2024
Thank you for your review. Our reception opearing hours are clearly stated on all booking sites and in the welcome email that guests receive after making a reservation.It is important that when booking , guests should provide contact information such as a valid email and/or a local phone number and guests need to make sure that they can be contacted if required.

8/10 Good

Brent, Glendon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Although the motel is aged a bit it has clean & spacious rooms. The Staff is friendly and informative. The area is safe, quiet & easy walking distance to the Esplande. Once on the Esplande it is a nice walk along the ocean to many shops, restaurants & the Marina
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Reef Palms on Apr 14, 2024
Thank you for your review.

2/10 Terrible

David

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

6/10 Okay

Brenda

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort
Great service but faulty air conditioner
The room was fine. But the air conditioner did not work. Luckily the fans did work. But it was an extremely hot December night. The lady at reception was great, helping us to call a cab to the airport the next day.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Close proximity to local shops,Cairns city and restaurants.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Glen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was a good place to stay. Reasonably priced and few frills but an excellent place from which to operate.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Audrey

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
The staff went out of their way to help and handle any questions we asked. The man at check in (same person most days of our stay) was excellent. He stepped up to every issues or concern and was a go to for travelers questions. Made our stay on the coast very enjoyable when it could have gone bad very quickly at some points. The cleanliness could have been better. The fountain outside the front door was a horrible first impression. The room was pretty good. Roach hatch the first night was a bad experience. The desk clerk handle it well when we advised him in the morning. It made us more cautious and observant throughout the 5 days we were there.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Apr 14, 2024
Thank you for the review. I can assure you that the wtare feature at the front door has been cleaned. Sorry about the roach issue but we are in the tropical wetlands of North Australia. We do have a regular pest extermination program but those little buggers get everywhere.

8/10 Good

Samantha

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 12 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is close proximity to shops and businesses we need to visit whenever we come to Cairns for a couple of days.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

4/10 Poor

Simon

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Staff were helpful but hotel is rather tatty, air con didn’t work properly, shower head broken, lots of tacky plastic fittings etc. Found a lady’s earring on the kitchen work surface!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Nov 24, 2023
Dear Simon, Thank you for your feedback. We are concerned to note the rating you have posted and are sorry to see that you were not satisfied with your experience here. We hope you give us another opportunity to welcome you back and prove that we can serve you better. We always aim to provide a 5* experience for our guests. Kind regards. Management

2/10 Terrible

Cora

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I’ve never been subjected to such poor quality in Australia. Booked two rooms, were given one and treated like a fraud when I insisted that I paid for two rooms not one. Had to wait 30 minutes for them to “ verify”. Got scolded for not “ listening “ to how to turn in WiFi or use the key. I took photos to show how dirty and run down the place is. It’s absolutely awful. Lots of other options nearby. Do not make same mistake I made.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Nov 18, 2023
Thanks for the Feed-Back. You stayed in one of the best rooms for small price. Nothing wrong with the room at all. Your problem was that you booked two rooms with different names(one room with your relation’s name) but you were looking both rooms on your name. That is your problem, also You just wanted to go to the room in hurry without doing check in procedure. Also, you did not wish to listen to us when explain the things here and came back to the desk and make us lot of troubles asking the thing like internet password etc. You are different kind of person and not welcome anymore. Immature sense of humour .

8/10 Good

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff were very helpful, the room we stayed in was comfortable, and the swimming pool was great to cool off in.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Nov 24, 2023
Dear Scott, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the positive comments made in your review. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very outdated hotel. In need of some TLC
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Nov 24, 2023
Dear _________, Thank you for your feedback. We are concerned to note the rating you have posted and are sorry to see that you were not satisfied with your experience here. We hope you give us another opportunity to welcome you back and prove that we can serve you better. We always aim to provide a 5* experience for our guests. Kind regards. Management

10/10 Excellent

Allan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Sourish, Arncliffe

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
It's an old property and little bit off centre but that's a benefit as it is a quiet location. There are enough eating places within a 15/20 minute walk, that you don't go starving. Makes it convenient. The cleanliness, though, can be improved significantly. We checked in around 8PM to find one of the beds unmade, a wrapping strap on the sofa and we also found a dead cockroach in one of the kitchen cabinets while looking for plates.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

ANTHONY

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Martina

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The property was clean and nice but outdated. Advertised breakfast, hot tub, and shuttle to town were not available.

8/10 Good

Caroline

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Nov 24, 2023
Dear Caroline, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the positive comments made in your review. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

6/10 Okay

Martina

Travelled with family
Outdated but clean. No breakfast although advertised
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Eileen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good overnight stay
We only stayed here for one night, as we had an early flight in the morning, and they are very close to the airport with a free transfer. Room was very clean and comfortable. Air-cond needed attention as it didn't get cool enough. Some dining options nearby if you don't mind a walk if you don't have transport. Overall, a pleasant stay
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Vaughan

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice staff. Located close to the beautiful Esplanade. Overpriced but it is a busy time of year in Cairns. The room was very tired looking and windows could not close so very noisy when trying to sleep. Had adequate facilities for light cooking.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marianne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Room was spacious, well equipped kitchen, beds comfortable quiet and value for money. Definitely recommend staying here.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Sabrina

Great little place for the price Close to town would definitely return
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Sep 7, 2023
Dear Sabrina, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the positive comments made in your review. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

6/10 Okay

Kerrie

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Mixed bag
Late check in procedures worked well and bed was comfortable. Dust build up around the windows and bathroom bin had not been emptied so a little off putting. A bit dated and run down overall but good for a short stay.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Sep 7, 2023
Dear Kerrie, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the positive comments and, also for pointing out things that we can improve on. We hope you give us another opportunity to welcome you back and prove that we can serve you even better. We always aim to provide a 5* experience for our guests. Kind regards. Management

10/10 Excellent

Danique, Leinster

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Have stayed here twice..recommend..
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Aug 21, 2023
Dear Danique, Thank you for your feedback and especially for the very positive comments made in your review. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

8/10 Good

tina

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Our room downstairs was spacious and had a kitchenette and a little balcony with a table and chairs. The beds were comfortable. But, there is no fire alarm in the room or exhaust fan above the cooker, and no fan in the bathroom. We were there on a Saturday night and can hear people in the next room partying on and voices from outside. It is noticeable that only the basic cleaning were done in the room, other areas needs to be cleaned thoroughly (ie doors / handles, switches etc) otherwise it's a lovely motel with friendly and helpful staff.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Aug 21, 2023
Dear Tina, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the positive points you have indicated and for pointing out things that we can improve on. We hope you give us another opportunity to welcome you back and prove that we can serve you even better. We always aim to provide a 5* experience for our guests. Kind regards. Management

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Sep 7, 2023
Dear Kevin, Thank you for your feedback and especially for the very positive comments made in your review. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

8/10 Good

steve

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Aug 10, 2023
Dear Steve, Thank you for your feedback. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

8/10 Good

Ken

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
It was a comfortable stay and was easy to walk around.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Aug 10, 2023
Dear Ken, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the very positive comments made in your review. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

8/10 Good

Rebecca

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great size room and all you need but a bit grotty for my liking. You get what you pay for and Cairns is expensive during tourist time but I’d spend more next time
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Aug 10, 2023
Dear Rebecca, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the very positive comments made in your review. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

8/10 Good

Pamela J

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Welcome at check in. Clean, comfortable, good size rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Aug 10, 2023
Dear Pamela, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the very positive comments made in your review. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

8/10 Good

Theresa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Good overnight stay
Cleanliness was fine but the cups in the draw had not been washed properly The room we stayed in needs some maintenance, but overall was a nice stay overnight It was quiet and comfortable
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Jun 20, 2023
Dear Theresa, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the positive points you have indicated and for pointing out things that we can improve on. We hope you give us another opportunity to welcome you back and prove that we can serve you even better. We always aim to provide a 5* experience for our guests. Kind regards. Management

10/10 Excellent

Kelly, North Branford

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good stay
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Jun 14, 2023
Dear Kelly, Thank you for your feedback and especially for the very positive comments made in your review. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

4/10 Poor

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
This is close to the airport, but I arrived at 7pm no staff on property no where to eat food, and also it was extremely noisy all night and early morning , but is was very clean, and cheap
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Jun 14, 2023
Dear Susan, Thank you for your feedback. We are concerned to note the rating you have posted and are sorry to see that you were not satisfied with your experience here. We hope you give us another opportunity to welcome you back and prove that we can serve you better. We always aim to provide a 5* experience for our guests. Kind regards. Management

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Clean, comfortable but spotty wifi
A quick overnight stop in Cairns before heading out. Property is a little dated but clean and comfortable. Wifi did not work on the far side rooms. The receptionist was friendly and informed. Airport transfer from Hotel to Airport available
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Response from Management on May 3, 2023
Dear Anonymous, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the very positive comments made in your review. We look forward to seeing you as our guest in the future. We always aim to provide a 5* experience and were glad to have achieved this during your stay. Kind regards. Management

6/10 Okay

Ben

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Response from Reef Palms on Jun 14, 2023
Dear Ben, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the positive comments and, also for pointing out things that we can improve on. We hope you give us another opportunity to welcome you back and prove that we can serve you even better. We always aim to provide a 5* experience for our guests. Kind regards. Management

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
So so.
This was fine for a quick overnight on our way to daintree. Curtains needed repair. Jetted tub was quite old. There were signs citing fines for quite a few things. Also warned quite a bit thru signage of locking everything. Gave me a sense it wasnt a safe area. But could be the owners are very liability fearful. Cancelled our night on our way back thru as a result.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Management on May 3, 2023
Dear Anonymous, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the positive comments and, also for pointing out things that we can improve on. We hope you give us another opportunity to welcome you back and prove that we can serve you even better. We always aim to provide a 5* experience for our guests. Kind regards. Management

8/10 Good

Catharine

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023
Response from Management on Jan 30, 2023
Dear Catharine, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the positive comments and, also for pointing out things that we can improve on. We hope you give us another opportunity to welcome you back and prove that we can serve you even better. We always aim to provide a 5* experience for our guests. Kind regards. Management

6/10 Okay

Dustin

Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Some of the towels that old and worn need replacing, outdated wouldn’t matter if cleaner and linens refreshed
Response from Management on Jan 30, 2023
Dear Dustin, Thank you for your feedback. Thank for the positive points you have indicated and for pointing out things that we can improve on. We hope you give us another opportunity to welcome you back and prove that we can serve you even better. We always aim to provide a 5* experience for our guests. Kind regards. Management

2/10 Terrible

Heather

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is in deplorable shape. There has been no maintenance or upkeep for years. The rooms are absolutely filthy and all furnishings should be thrown in the dumpster, as they are so worn and falling apart. Their website is very misleading, as it boasts daily housekeeping, which there is not and free area shuttle, which there is not. They wanted to charge me $2.00 per fresh towel on our second day and after I pointed out the Air Conditioner was not working, they relented on the towel fee. This property is owned from afar, is on autopilot and should be bulldozed. DO NOT STAY HERE!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
Response from Management on Nov 16, 2022
Thanks for your Feed Back. We can not belive or understand your comments on the property. After covid -19 most of things have been changed and try our best to get most of the things back to normal. At the moment only we do is Airport drop off service in the morning (certain times) we run a business and have policies of the room services. We can not go beyonud the policies.If you need extra things, have to pay except an emegency. Aircon works properly but you did not see its switch top of the bed-head, to work you have to switch it on and a note is on the wall and it is obvious.Please try to be honest and genuine. Please come and stay with us again.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

ANTHONY

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Stephanie

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Convenient and able to accommodate 4 persons
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

6/10 Okay

John

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Overpriced
Good locality. No traffic noise. Condition of hotel was not equal to the $240/night price tag. Will seek better value next time.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

4/10 Poor

Lawrence

Travelled with partner
The duty Manager on Saturday morning replaced the Iron and refilled the shower gel efficiently and was very responsive to letting us know how to turn the A/C on - it was not obvious at the time as to how to turn it on. We had to go down to reception to and get additional towels ourselves from reception as there seemed to be a reluctance to provide dry towels as the policy is there is no servcing for the the first 3 days. .
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Syd

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022