I know, don't stay in Cairns, but....
Sep 2nd, 2013, 06:34 AM
#1
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I know, don't stay in Cairns, but....
We want to stay one night in Cairns before we fly out. DH wants to bird on the Esplanade and Centenary Lakes, so we would like to come down so he can bird the afternoon then morning before we go. We want to minimize drive time by staying in town.
I found one place, Whitfield House, which would be perfect (as I could walk over to the Botanic Gardens which is what interests me, and he could go to CL and down to the Esplanade easily). However, their online booking link is broken, and an email sent over the weekend has not yet been responded too. I had hoped once it was Monday there, they would respond.
The next closest place had horrible reviews, so then I moved to hotels on the Esplanade. Wow, what a mixed bag. Consistently, every place I looked at had a significant number of poor reviews. Some good, but mostly poor.
We want to be on the far end from town as that is where he wants to bird. The least objectionable one that I have found is the Mercure Harbourside.
All this to say, does anyone have any input? If I hear from Whitfield House and it isn't outrageously expensive for one night, I would take that. But otherwise, I am on the fence.
I found one place, Whitfield House, which would be perfect (as I could walk over to the Botanic Gardens which is what interests me, and he could go to CL and down to the Esplanade easily). However, their online booking link is broken, and an email sent over the weekend has not yet been responded too. I had hoped once it was Monday there, they would respond.
The next closest place had horrible reviews, so then I moved to hotels on the Esplanade. Wow, what a mixed bag. Consistently, every place I looked at had a significant number of poor reviews. Some good, but mostly poor.
We want to be on the far end from town as that is where he wants to bird. The least objectionable one that I have found is the Mercure Harbourside.
All this to say, does anyone have any input? If I hear from Whitfield House and it isn't outrageously expensive for one night, I would take that. But otherwise, I am on the fence.
Sep 2nd, 2013, 02:30 PM
#2
toucan - is there a phone no for Whitfield house?
as the on-line link is broken, it might be worth a call to just check that they are in business and to ask them to answer your e-mail.
alternatively, the tourist office might have an up to date listing.
as the on-line link is broken, it might be worth a call to just check that they are in business and to ask them to answer your e-mail.
alternatively, the tourist office might have an up to date listing.
Sep 2nd, 2013, 03:31 PM
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Thanks. I was away (got back late last night) and am sure our hosts would not have appreciated a call to Australia from their home in TX 
. As we are now home, and it is morning there, I will give them a try.
. As we are now home, and it is morning there, I will give them a try.
Sep 2nd, 2013, 05:29 PM
#6
Mmm I just called them and had the same result. Just rang out - no message bank.
So, I called Cairns Tourist centre & they said Whitfield House is definitely still there & in business. Possibly just not there at the moment & perhaps their message bank is full. May be worth trying again later. It's 11:30 am here now..
Asked for other recommendations in the area you want, they suggested Lakes Resort.
So, I called Cairns Tourist centre & they said Whitfield House is definitely still there & in business. Possibly just not there at the moment & perhaps their message bank is full. May be worth trying again later. It's 11:30 am here now..
Asked for other recommendations in the area you want, they suggested Lakes Resort.
Sep 2nd, 2013, 05:51 PM
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That was very kind of you and definitely above the call! I wil keep trying. I may just book Mercure as backup and cancel if necessary. I think I checked out Lakes Resort before, I will look again.
Sep 5th, 2013, 08:52 AM
#10
hard cheese, toucan2 - how irritating. good luck with the Mercure!
we have changed our booking in Port Douglas to a hotel closer to the centre rather than the one further down the beach that we were holding. Also we probably not going to hire a car, but use an airport transfer instead one way, with Alan picking us up the other end of our stay.
Now, onto NZ!
we have changed our booking in Port Douglas to a hotel closer to the centre rather than the one further down the beach that we were holding. Also we probably not going to hire a car, but use an airport transfer instead one way, with Alan picking us up the other end of our stay.
Now, onto NZ!
Sep 5th, 2013, 05:51 PM
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Ann is doing her best to avoid me by transferring to other geographic locations as soon as I approach
I will be down in Sydney New Years week. I am not sure of our schedule there yet, but would love to meet you and other Fodorites. I think we will be up at the farm in Nabiac until Monday, then back to Sydney until we leave January 4.
I reserved a room at the Mercure. Ann I am glad you got the transportation sorted out.
I will be down in Sydney New Years week. I am not sure of our schedule there yet, but would love to meet you and other Fodorites. I think we will be up at the farm in Nabiac until Monday, then back to Sydney until we leave January 4.
I reserved a room at the Mercure. Ann I am glad you got the transportation sorted out.
Sep 6th, 2013, 03:57 AM
#13
Small world, Toucan. Friends of ours had a farmlette out of Nabiac. Sold it a few years ago & moved to the coast.
I'm sure a few of us will be around for New Year, so let's see what we can sort out closer to the date. If we do a spontaneous " who's around in the next day or 2" then, it will be easy for everyone.
I'm sure a few of us will be around for New Year, so let's see what we can sort out closer to the date. If we do a spontaneous " who's around in the next day or 2" then, it will be easy for everyone.
Sep 6th, 2013, 08:39 AM
#14
Ann is doing her best to avoid me by transferring to other geographic locations as soon as I approach>>
don't be naughty - you know that's not true. it is weird how we are going to many of the same places though, but at slightly different times, though the co-incidence of our being in the same place at the same time would i think be greater!
Bokara - sadly we'll be home by Christmas, so no New year in Sydney for us.
don't be naughty - you know that's not true. it is weird how we are going to many of the same places though, but at slightly different times, though the co-incidence of our being in the same place at the same time would i think be greater!
Bokara - sadly we'll be home by Christmas, so no New year in Sydney for us.
. It is fun to tease you Ann
Sep 23rd, 2013, 03:52 PM
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Toucan2, can you nominate a day that suits and we can start organising a gtg? Lunch or dinner is fine for me, but given that it's a busy time of year I'd like to put something in my diary soon. As a suggestion, how about lunch at Fort Denison which has a nice, casual restaurant and I think will be a memorable location for you.
http://www.fortdenison.com.au/
Alternatively if you were planning a trip to Manly or Bondi, we could meet there too.
http://www.fortdenison.com.au/
Alternatively if you were planning a trip to Manly or Bondi, we could meet there too.
