Nice pool area, friendly staff and everyone there is there to have a good time.

Can be loud in the evenings, but if you are there to party it’s not a problem

Reasonably priced

Pretty sure my drink got spiked

Having a balcony in our 6 dorm room was a big bonus. Being on the 3rd floor was so much better than the 2nd floor which was obviously party central (especially on weekends). The kitchen facilities were well laid out, good signage about rules & great ventilation and plenty of seating. Which was a good place to meet other guests and relax. Rooms were cleaned better than most hostels. Reception staff were quite helpful and friendly. 24/7 reception was great to have ! Big laundry on ground floor. Pool was really 👍

Location and number of powerpoints in the room (and lounge area too) was very poorly thought out. For eg. It wouldn't be that hard to put a powerboard on each of the 2 powerpoints hiding behind the bunk beds in a 6 bed room. No personal lockers in room for bags, except small items one a phone, etc. On Friday night, I came home at 11pm and saw some guy loudly having sex on his balcony below us. The next night, one of my room mates woke me up at 3am doing the same in our dorm room bathroom, and I had ear plugs in. I knew Gilligans was a party hostel, but it was wild on a Fri/Sat night, and some guests don't give a crap about others Air ventilation system needs to have dust build up cleaned off thoroughly, and the level of rubbish and crap behind the washing machines /dryers was turning into a fire hazard - they don't have a cleaning/maintenance schedule it seems.

The staff were so lovely and welcoming. The location is just perfect- so close to everything and such good value for money.

Although its great that every night goes off downstairs at the club, you can definitely hear the music from the room which can be annoying if you have to get up and drive the next day.

its a good place to be in cairns though I put one star for something that I explained below.

One of the receptionists a belgium woman with brown hair who I dont remember her name. made my experience not a very good one. So the day I booked I spent in the night club which is next to the hotel. That day I was supposed to checkout from another hostel at 10 am and checkin in Gilligans at 2pm. So after I left the club I realized I lost my key from the other hostel, it was already late so I though I might as well sleep in one the couches, they have this big living room area with couches and is not unfrequent to see people sleeping there. So I get inside and after 20 mins I go down to buy some food, when I want to get inside this receptionist does not want to let me inside, saying my booking starts at 2pm. I explained her my situation and even though any one that makes a booking could actually start using the common facilities from the 00:00 hours she refused to let me inside saying that I could only get in at 2pm. All the other hostels were closed so I had to book a hotel which cost me $245 just to check out at 10am. Basically just for 6 hours of sleep. The next day I went also to the club and I was getting inside my room in the elevator when she started touching my arm repeteadly like 3 or 4 times and when realized I ignored her she called security to let me out saying I dont have a booking even though I already had made the checkin and my booking would end the next day. Luckily I had my room card in my wallet which I showed the security guard and he allowed me inside. All the stuff is very cool and the facilities are nice, but this incident is crazy. Its all in cctv of the hotel also.

Loved the location, close to everything! the king rooms are fantastic for hostel accommodation and have everything you would expect in any other hotel. The staff were fantastic! all very friendly and accommodating. The ability to join the daily club/pool events at leisure, felt like there was always something to do at Gillies 😊

Regardless of whether in the hostel bunking or in the King Deluxe 'hotel style' rooms, alcohol is not permitted in the rooms. I was not aware of this, and it was unfortunate not to be able to have a quite night in the room (away from the club) to enjoy room service and a beer. The onsite parking is paid and separate to the hotel. I paid at hotel reception for several nights parking to ensure I didn't receive a parking fine. When the markets are on (Fri - Sun) the parking lot offers free parking and the spots aren't reserved. Despite paying for parking, you often couldn't get a car park in the lot during the day and had to park on the street risking a fine.

Location was perfect! Rooms were fine. Bar next door is awesome! Perfect if you're keen to party.

Bed was average.

Great location and awesome pool.

These are not significant gripes but no mats supplied for the bathroom so the floor kept getting pretty wet. Also the aircon is on all the time without any way of turning it off (I believe/seemed the case) so I was waking up cold several times during my slumber. The bedding they give you is pretty light (thin blanket and 2 sheets) so yeah would be good if the aircon can be turned off.

It was centrally located with a lot of common facilities and activities. Very lively and happening place.

May not be suitable for someone looking for peace and calm.

good vibes

having to leave

Noise at ungodly hours

central location, terrible quality

found 3 crickets in our room, air conditioner didn’t work, TV had no sound, and at 10pm a random stranger walked into our room because reception had incorrectly given him the keys to our room instead