The lush scenery of Cairns is about to welcome a new luxury resort from Crystalbrook Collection with the five-star Riley. The very central resort is the result of an expansive new development at the northern end of Cairns’ iconic waterfront Esplanade, distinguishing itself with a philosophy that claims to be “all about living in the moment and embracing the now”.
The property adds 311 rooms and suites to Cairns, including three new restaurants and bars as well as the area’s highest rooftop bar, Rocco, and the ritzy Eléme Day Spa. A massive lagoon pool should be a major drawcard as well as access to a private beach, function and events spaces for up to 400 people, and a 24-hour fitness centre.
Rocco should be a major win for Cairns locals and visitors, perched 42 metres above sea level and offering 270-degree uninterrupted views of Cairns and the Coral Sea. Food will be Mediterranean in concept, with a drinks menu and a dedicated Champagne list to boot. Along similar lines, Paper Crane will be the signature restaurant and move its culinary compass towards Asia, casting a wide net of Asian cuisine illustrated with the fresh produce of Tropical North Queensland. Lastly, Greenfields will be for health-conscious diners looking for “raw and simple” food and drink, with cold press juices, non-spiked by day and spiked by night.
With “responsible luxury” said to be a core value of Crystalbrook Collection, Riley and its forthcoming sister resorts promise “immersive environmental initiatives” throughout the guest’s stay. That could take the form of paper free check-in and out, no plastic drinking bottles or straws on premise (you use a recyclable wooden card to access the room), or 90% less in-room paper than the average five-star hotel. It also means a strong commitment to the region, with $100 from each direct online room night donated to the environment – during the first week of operation (between 6th and 13th Nov), that amount will go to Citizens of Great Barrier Reef.
“As an organization hugely committed to the environment and as a Founding Citizen of “Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, this was a natural choice for us to celebrate this exciting opening”, said Crystalbrook Collection CEO Mark Davie. “The initiative is just one way in which Riley will speak to Crystalbrook’s core value of responsible luxury.”
Over the next 14 months, Crystalbrook Collection plan to open two more properties in Cairns – what they’re calling “personality led sibling hotels” named “Bailey” (open mid-2019; 217 rooms) and “Flynn” (open early 2020; 303 suites and rooms). Flynn should be the most ambitious of the three, with a whopping six restaurants and bars over three floors, two glass swimming pools, a luxurious day spa, and a 24-hour fitness centre.
