Hotel increases capacity
Pacific Hotel Cairns has unveiled 31 new rooms built into former conference and office space after almost a year of construction. General manager Gregor Davie said management made a decision to transform the administration spaces and ballroom based on simple economics. “The conference rooms were used 15-20 per cent of the time and we thought … that space would be better off as rooms for hotel guests,” he said.
PACIFIC Hotel Cairns has unveiled 31 new rooms built into former conference and office space after almost a year of construction.
General manager Gregor Davie said management made a decision to transform the administration spaces and ballroom based on simple economics.
“The conference rooms were used 15-20 per cent of the time and we thought, in the current climate in Cairns, that space would be better off as rooms for hotel guests,” he said.
“It is not often a hotel does something like this. It’s a bit of a gamble because you’re taking yourself out of one area of the business but we think Cairns is more a leisure destination than a business destination.
“Because of the weird spaces we’ve had to play with, the architects came up with 19 configurations for the 31 rooms.
“A variety of rooms are available, some featuring floorto-ceiling windows, direct pool access and stand-alone baths with a double vanity.”
All have been fitted out with linen lounges, tropical-themed cushions and wallpapered feature walls, congo tropical armchairs, teak side tables and oversized wall-mounted flat screen televisions.
Each new room in the 35year-old building also has an ensuite featuring ceramic tile sheets imported from Italy.
But the build wasn’t all smooth sailing with the aforementioned ceramic sheets making it all the way from Europe before being shattered outside the hotel on Spence St upon delivery. The suppliers swiftly replaced the goods and the mishap caused minimal delay to the project.
Mr Davie said, although the Crystalbrook Collection constructions did not spur the changes on, he believed the competition the new hotels would create in Cairns’ 5-star market would be good for the city.
“The Shangri-La is doing upgrades, the Pullman has been talking about it and the casino has done some work. We have been coasting for a while,” he said.
“Accommodation had to keep up with all the changes.
“I’m confident of saying for the next two months I have the best new hotel rooms in Cairns.”