COVID REOPENINGS Riley ready to welcome back guests

ONE of the premium hotels in Cairns is preparing to welcome back guests in a big way.

Crystalbrook Collection will reopen its Riley resort to the public on July 1, after temporarily closing due to COVID-19.

Riley general manager Jeremy Nordkamp said with the school holidays fast approaching, it was the perfect time for locals to enjoy a post-isolation staycation.

“We’ve been getting lots of phone calls for our locals special and we’re still holding some business from our southern friends,” he said.

“But they’re just holding off to see what happens with our borders obviously.

“Cairns as a destination relies on a lot of international visitors, not just domestic.

“We don’t think that we’ll get back to normal until sometime next year or even the year after.”

While just over 14 months old, Mr Nordkamp said crews had been working freshen up Riley during the recent closure.

Once reopened, Riley will also be completely cashless across its hotel, restaurants, bars and spa.

“We’ve been working hard in the background getting ready for Riley 2.0,” Mr Nordkamp said.

“We’ve had to enhance some of our procedures for our Mindfully Safe program coming into place, which is all around enhanced hygiene for our cleaning and a focus on being mindfully fit as well.

“Every direct booking we get $5 will get donated to Beyond Blue.

“We’ll also have yoga available for people and really promote that healthy state of mind. It’s a nice way for people to get their hair down and get their mind off things.”

Riley is offering a $195 locals deal, which includes a $50 food and beverage credit, late check out and free upgrade.

Crystalbrook Collection’s Paper Crane will also reopen this Friday and the sky high bar, Rocco will be back on July 3.

Other hotels such as Hilton Cairns, Shangri-La Hotel, and Pullman Cairns International are also offering local deals for the perfect staycation.