CBD HOTEL’S TRANSFORMATION AHEAD OF LAUNCH
CONSTRUCTION crews have moved in to gut a tired old mainstay of the Cairns accommodation sector as its new owners prepare for a glitzy relaunch next month.
The former Rydges Plaza Hotel at the corner of Spence and Grafton streets was rebranded to Reef Plaza in February last year.
It was an unfortunate case of horrific timing and the enterprise soon fell victim to the
COVID-19 crisis and shut its doors for good in July.
Businessman Adam Adams bought the 101-room hotel in January and set about transforming it into a new boutique incarnation, the details of which can now be revealed.
The Benson Hotel will open its doors in a matter of weeks with job advertisements issued for a food and beverage operations manager, front office manager and head chef.
Its redevelopment is not over yet with a considerable pipeline of work to be carried out amid reduced hotel operations over the coming years.
“Set to open in June 2021, this 101-room 4/4.5-star hotel will undergo a staggered twoyear renovation plan resulting in a complete transformation from its former identity,” the advertisements state.
“Located in the heart of Cairns CBD, the hotel boasts a mix of facilities including a restaurant, cafe and bar/lounge, conference and meeting rooms, carparking and an outdoor swimming pool.”
The hotel’s new social media accounts boast that an old favourite of the Cairns hospitality scene – the Lilo rooftop bar, restaurant and pool deck – will be back.
“Have no fear, your new Lilo is near. New and improved bar and grill coming soon,” the hotel’s Instagram page reveals.
The hotel’s old lobby has been gutted with floors torn up and walls stripped and the drawcard rooftop area has undergone a significant metamorphosis.
The prospect of a hotel returning to the heart of the city has caused excitement among CBD business operators who hope to see an upswing in outof-town travellers staying on their doorsteps.
Candy Cafe owner Chantelle Kenyon said she was eager to see the finished product.
“It was quite run down. What I’ve heard from builders coming in for coffee is that it’s going to look really good,” she said.
“I reckon it’s great – we’ve been really busy but we can always be busier.”