HOTEL ON WATER
CAN’T decide between a cruise or a stay in a hotel?
Well, one new Cairns venture has the perfect answer – the Boatel.
Floating on Cairns’ Marlin Marina since Christmas, the Boatel is just that, a boat which is a hotel, which can accommodate up to 20 people in twinshare rooms.
Cairns Dive Centre boss Peter Boundy decided to give his 20-year-old live-aboard reef vessel, Kangaroo Explorer, a new lease on life after it was retired last year.
But he said the boat wouldn’t just be hanging around the marina.
Regular trips to Fitzroy Island or to the Reef are part of the accommodation deals, upon request.
“I have done a bit of travelling and, especially in Amsterdam, I saw the potential for boats to offer accommodation, like the canal boats. I thought that would work in Cairns,” Mr Boundy said.
“The Boatel is on all the sites, Expedia and booking.com, but it’s not an AirBnB, because we staff it.
“It is not a restaurant either. We want people to walk into the marina or into the city and explore and get something to eat there.
“It is not designed for the low end of the market, it is not designed for backpackers, so it doesn’t have to be full all the time.” Cabins on the Boatel are priced at about $195 per night.
It took six months to renovate the Kangaroo Explorer, which comes equipped with an on-board bar and library.
Mr Boundy said there were already plenty of forward bookings until the end of the year, including a hen’s night.
There are also some “strong inquiries” from family groups and the Boatel could cater for business conferences or teambuilding exercises.
One of the Kangaroo Explorer’s skippers is also a marriage celebrant, so weddings could be held at sea or in the marina.
Visit www.boatelcairns.com.au