Outdoor pool, sun loungers
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Reviews of Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

2 out of 5
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
57-89 Grafton Street, Cairns, QLD

Reviews

8.0

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 114 out of 378 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 175 out of 378 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 49 out of 378 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 23 out of 378 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 17 out of 378 reviews" "

7.8/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

7.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Tyler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
My room was a 4 person room which was decent overall. The pillows were small and not sufficient. The rooms a/c barely worked and the room had a damp / wet smell and feel the whole time. This is the perfect location in town if you want a party as they have stuff going on every night. The location is perfect for anything you would wanna do in town and the price was right for sure.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Eryn

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
limited facilities, power off in kitchen at 10, broken toilet
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Molly

Liked: Cleanliness

8/10 Good

gary

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great budget option with activities on site
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Okay visit
The place is okay, it’s a party hostel after all. The noise from the club wasn’t heard from our room but the party bus was so loud it was as though they were parked at the end of the bed 😂. Staff were pretty unhelpful, we were travelling as a couple. It could be that they are used to dealing with idiots/drunks all day so by the time you get there they aren’t very welcoming.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Utkarsh

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kurtis

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

Bruno

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
If you have shared room, you will have a small locker to store your valuables, but you MUST have your own lock (thankfully I did).
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The waterfall pool is brilliant The bar and the girls are awesome
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Hostel is large, loud and out of date.
This hostel has potential both on the accommodation side and the nightclub side. The events they put on in the nightclub are about 15 years out of date, wet t shirt contest, jelly wrestling competition, pole dancing competition, it reminded me of Christina Agueleria vs Britney Spears, and predictably the nightclub was full of almost exclusively men, it's not the sort of events that attract any women at all. The hostel had good kitchen areas, and a TV area on every floor, it would be good if the hostel/nightclub put on some more relaxed social events, because the hostel didn't end up being very social, people were a bit overwhelmed by the sexual nature of all of the social activities. Some more neutral activities like drunk bingo or pub quiz, earlier in the evening would have helped the hostel to be more social. Every room had a balcony and an ensuite bathroom which was nice, but in the room there was no control for the air conditioning which was always far too cold, and so the sliding doors onto the balconies was left open to warm up the room, and that meant the air conditioning was often broken. There are no lockers in the rooms either which is not ideal for a party hostel. Bed linen was provided and the beds were comfortable. But they didn't have privacy curtains, or a personal light, which again is the norm nowadays. They did have a plug next to every bed though. Room cleaning starts before check out at 9am. This hostel has potential but it is just out of date.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Greta

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amber

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed a 1 night stay at Gilligans in the Deluxe Room. It was spacious, quite and had a balcony and own bathroom. Fridge with kettle and tea etc. Room service available and you can make use of the communial kitchen and lounge area and pool. Great bar downstairs, which you couldn't hear from upstairs. Overall was a really nice place to stay and I would definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Pamela

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

2/10 Terrible

Narayan, Princeton

Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Party hostel for teenagers
It's a party hostel... Get onboard with it! But apart from that the private rooms are way overpriced for what they offer and you will be constantly treated like an 18 year old, regardless of age. Very annoying. Go somewhere else and head to Gilligan's for the party...you will be better off.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very lively party spot! Always activities happening at night, food from the kitchen was excellent, facilities kept reasonably clean, happy hours were a bonus, staff were friendly & helpful. I'd recommend trying to check into your room early since the process was a bit slow around 2pm.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Natasha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wow
WOW! First impressions count and they really hit the nail on the head at gilligans, not only is it way bigger than i expected but it also comes with some incredible on site facilities! Met by friendly and professional staff at check in which made me feel very settled. Once i got to my room not only is it the biggest hostel room ive ever stayed in but also the best layed out, looked fresh and tidy and everything was clean! I was staying in a 4 bed female dorm, all single beds so no having to go up and down bunk beds cause lets face it theyre fun as kids but not great as adults. The room came with a good sized balcony with seating, a good sized wardrobe, enough room to store a big suitcase under the bed aswell as room around the bed, mini lockers and separate shower, sink and toilet so no having to wait to go to the toilet if someone is in the shower! Great A/C that keeps the room nice and cool! All the beds come with a light and 2 plugs as well as 2 usb sockets incase you forget your adapter. Ontop of all this each level has its own common area with comfortable seating and very spacious and then its own kitchen, also spacious and you actually have room to cook stuff unlike other hostels i have stayed in where you are having to share the same space. Just need to fix a few of the lights on the level as it made it a tad dark. Finally as i was only staying here for 5 days i spoke to the very friendly on site travel team who got me some great deals on my activities. On the whole i
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Jenna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very lively spot! If you’re a backpacker in Cairns you have to stay here, it’s part of the experience! Everything is also super well run, easy check in, getting to the rooms, feels safe and clean! Personally stayed in a room for 4 people and it was nice that it wasn’t bunk beds, also the beds were very comfortable and larger then most other beds at hostels! I would definitely recommend staying here as it’s so convenient! Just be aware there’s lots going on and it will probably be a bit loud at night so we at plugs will help!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great beer prices great bar
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Natalie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
They allow anyone in the pool area it’s not just for the people staying at the hostel. The homeless people are aggressive and demanding

10/10 Excellent

Lucas

8/10 Good

Ben

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joshua

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful place and great price!
It’s amazing here. The staff are wonderful and the beds are new and the carpet in the rooms is new. The rooms are clean and new and have A/C. Now that said, it is still a hostel. Lots of young people here having fun. So if you want a conventional hotel it’s not for you - but they also don’t hold themselves out as a conventional hotel. However I have stayed in a lot of hostels and this is by far one of the nicer, newer, cleaner ones I have ever stayed in. Would absolutely return here and stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Was pretty decent
Booked a private room with en-suite bathroom. Was great to have privacy after a long flight to Cairns. Room was great and clean, with other amenities like a kettle and mugs, iron and board and a small security safe. Downsides were that the shower door didn't fully shut (so the bathroom floor flooded a bit), one of the overhead lights didn't work, and you couldn't control the air-con strength or temperature so it was a bit cold for my liking. But extra blankets were provided, so was all good!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Ahmadah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay, especially during off peak season. Quiet room, great balcony view
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Matthew

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very convenient location and nice room. It's above the nightclub so wouldn't be suitable if you're a light sleeper.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Sumika

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Achmaa

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Best place we've stayed at in Cairns and with most wonderful staffs. I had an unfortunate mishap of losing my passport at their club and Jose found it and brought it to me before my 6am flight the next morning. Thanks Jose and Gilligan's team for my best night at Cairns :)
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rick

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very central to business centre
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tom

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Michael

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The room and bathroom are all clean and I like separate toilet and shower rooms. Spacious. Problem for me was the air cooler/ fan was all night noisy. No remote and couldn’t turn off. Noisy and cold and didn’t get sleep. I was expecting noise from corridor being backpacker place but no noise on 4th floor deluxe room.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

June

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Good location, clean and spacious. Noise control will be helpful
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Krashana

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
I liked the fact it was very central to everything. I got a mixed Dorm. Never again, boys very messy. The toilet in dorm was broken, the flush part. other positive friendly helpful staff at counter. Would only stay one or two nights max. But would def visit again in future, for another big weekend in the city.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Denise

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I stayed a week I a 4 bed all female dorm, plus ensuite. I was very surprised that it was not bunk beds as being the last person in I would have been up the top. The room was clean and cleaners came in day as a person left. Highly recommend Gilligans.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

6/10 Okay

Kelsey

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was fine. My deluxe room was two twin beds pushed together, causing an uneven line down the center. I received new towels each day but never received new mugs/cups/coffee/tea. The wifi was horrible in my room and I always had to take calls in the common area which I found super uncomfortable. The staff was very friendly at the front desk during check in & check out! The property would be extremely loud at night due to other visitors (slamming doors, screaming, etc) throughout the night. The location was the best part. Overall, it wasn’t bad for the price but I would most likely book elsewhere next time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Theo C on Jul 12, 2022
Thank You for your feedback. We appreciate it.

8/10 Good

Julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Edward

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Basic room, bedding was not very comfortable. Room was clean and functional. Good value for the price paid.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Response from Theo C on May 3, 2022
Thank you for your feedback

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good relaxing vibes by the pool and clean rooms and good parties at night
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2021
Response from Theo C on Dec 13, 2021
Thank You for your feedback we do our best to provide that vibe, Have a great day.

10/10 Excellent

Emily

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

Melinda

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfortable stay
Comfortable, aircon was a problem at the start of our stay, too cold and powerful, but the lady on reception was very helpful and arranged for it to be turned off in our room which was perfect for us as Cairns was quite cool in the evenings especially.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Great place to crash after a busy day of activities. Nothing fancy, you get what you pay for… good value and nice pub next door.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Neuza Patricia Vieira

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2020

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Daniel, Gold Coast

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The best set up you will ever find. Not only is there a great pool and bar; the layout is amazing, and every day has a different themed party. The atmosphere is sensational, and you also have the option of staying in a hotel room which is spacious and on par with non-backpacker options. So you can get the best of both worlds in enjoying the social experience while having your privacy and space in your room. A great and fun place to stay, and I can’t wait to go back.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were super friendly. It didn’t both me but make sure you book a room facing the street if you don’t want loud music until 3am
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a huge party hostel, with a big bar, club, pool & shops nearby. The rooms were big, air-conditioned & clean. The four-person rooms come with a shower inside, the washroom didn't have hand soap but besides that it was good.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020