Walking into DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns brought back fond memories for AJ and I. It has a similar feel to DoubleTree in Santa Monica, California, a place which holds a special spot in our hearts. This is partly because it was part of a wonderful US holiday and in part because the staff offered the kids warm cookies every time we returned to the hotel from a day trip. The kids loved those chocolate chip cookies and those small touches stay with kids. Win over the kids and you’ve won over the parents. In Cairns we were merely dropping in, but managed to score warm cookies while inspecting an accessible room. It’s hungry work after all!
Our first impressions were good. Clear accessible signage is displayed around the hotel and a staff member who really knew her accessibility information took us on a tour. It was a pleasure having someone rattle off the info with such confidence. When I complimented her she said, “Isn’t that just logical?” I told her I wished it was, but often it’s not the case.
ACCESSIBLE ACCOMMODATION
DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns has two accessible rooms on the ground floor of the hotel. These rooms have the option of a standard interconnecting room if you are travelling with family or friends. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow plenty of natural light into the rooms and there’s sufficient circulation space for a wheelchair user.
The accessible room can be made up as a king room or a twin bedded room.
As the room is made up above, there’s sufficient room on one side of the bed to transfer from a wheelchair and by shifting the foot stool on the other side of the bed there would be room there too.
ACCESSSIBLE BATHROOM
The accessible bathroom has good circulation space, a step-free shower, height adjustable shower head and grab rails throughout.
The bathroom sink is wheelchair accessible with a lever tap and all amenities are at a lowered height.
The shower has a small flip-down shower seat and lever taps.
Guests have a private courtyard with wheelchair access. I was super excited to see ramp access to the courtyard area.
The mini-bar and tea and coffee making facilities are all at a lowered height for wheelchair users.
FACILITIES
The pool at DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns is accessed via a glass pool gate which is at a good height. There’s a spa, pool and wading area for children, or less confident swimmers.
The area around the pool is spacious.
All main areas of the hotel have good access and as previously mentioned, clear access is indicated. As we were not staying as guests at the hotel we didn’t have the opportunity to sample any of the food.
ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Two accessible parking spaces are available in the undercover car park (height of car park is 1.95 metres) and are located near the lift. Two accessible on-street parking spaces are available at the front and rear of the hotel.
You can read more about DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns here.
NEARBY
DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns has an excellent position on The Esplanade at Cairns and within easy walking, or wheeling, distance of restaurants, shops and the Cairns Lagoon. Muddy’s Playground is a short walk away and the Esplanade Boardwalk is just across the road.
MUDDY’S PLAYGROUND
If you’re travelling with kids you’ll love being close to Muddy’s Playground. It’s popular with families for its variety of equipment, including water play and a Liberty Swing (the wheelchair accessible swing is accessed with a MLAK key). A wheelchair accessible bathroom is also available.
THE ESPLANADE BOARDWALK
If you prefer a slower pace, then a walk, or wheel, along The Esplanade Boardwalk is the perfect way to start or finish a day in Cairns. The atmosphere is lovely with people exercising, taking in the view over the mud flats and having picnics along the length of the boardwalk.
CAIRNS ESPLANADE LAGOON
There’s no suitable beach for swimming in Cairns so the Cairns Lagoon is popular with locals and tourists. With lifeguards on duty this is a safe and lovely spot to spend some time and not far from DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns. Accessible bathroom facilities are available but accessed with a MLAK key.
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