The Espy Hostel
Location: 83 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD 4780 Cairns, QLD 4780, Cairns, au
Star Rating: 7.4 Stars
Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
About this Property
Vibrant Atmosphere
The Espy Hostel, conveniently located near key attractions in Cairns, offers a vibrant atmosphere for travelers to enjoy. With shared kitchen and lounge areas, guests can easily socialize and connect with fellow travelers during their stay.
Free WiFi and Convenient Location
Stay connected with complimentary WiFi available throughout the property. Situated near popular landmarks such as Cairns Station and Cairns Regional Gallery, guests can easily explore the city without hassle.
Close to Nature and Cultural Experiences
Explore the lush Cairns Flecker Botanic Gardens just 4.5 km away or immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park located 13 km from the hostel. With easy access to Cairns Airport, The Espy Hostel is the perfect base for your adventures in Cairns.
Book your stay at The Espy Hostel now to experience the best of Cairns!
Important Information
We are an international and interstate focused hostel. Therefore, a legitimate passport ID is required on check-in. Strictly no local stays. Accommodations is not intended for local housing. Please note that we are strictly an over 18+ hostel. To ensure the best experience for everyone, guests aged 35+ are invited to book our dorms specially suited to their age group.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Policies
Check-in: 02:00 PM - Anytime
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Amenities & Facilities
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Express check-in/check-out
- Private check-in/check-out
- Shared lounge/TV area
- Board games/puzzles
- Shared kitchen
- Adult only
- Outdoor furniture
- Fence around pool
- Staff adhere to local safety protocols
- Guest rooms disinfected between stays
- Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
- Physical distancing rules followed
- Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
- Cashless payment available
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kit available
- Sanitized tableware & silverware
- Contactless check-in/check-out
- Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
- Smoke alarms
- Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
- Guest room sealed after cleaning
- Physical distancing in dining areas
- CCTV outside property
- Television in common areas
- Express check-in
- Free wired internet
- Pool sun loungers
- Internet access
- Exercise/lap pool
- Swimming nearby
- Rooftop garden
Rooms Available
-
Single Bed In Mixed Dormitory Room
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Body soap
-
Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room (18 - 35 ages only)
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Fan
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Tile/marble floor
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Lockers
- Reading light
-
Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Fan
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Tile/marble floor
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Reading light
-
Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room (18 - 35 ages only)
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Fan
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Tile/marble floor
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Reading light
-
Bunk Bed In Mixed Dormitory Room
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Toilet
- Toilet paper
- Shampoo
- Body soap
-
Standard Single Room
The single room has a shared bathroom, air conditioning, a washing machine, as well as a seating area with a flat-screen TV. The single room offers a wardrobe and a tiled floor. The unit has 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Tile/marble floor
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
- Hand sanitiser
-
Deluxe King Room
This double room has a seating area, tile/marble floor and own bathroom.Interstate & International guests only, no local stays.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Tile/marble floor
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
- Hand sanitiser
-
Deluxe Double Room
This double room features a seating area, tile/marble floor and own bathroom.Interstate & International guests only, no local stays.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Tile/marble floor
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
- Hand sanitiser
-
Standard Double Room
The double room features air conditioning, a washing machine, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower. The double room offers a seating area, a wardrobe and a tiled floor. The unit has 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Tile/marble floor
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
- Hand sanitiser
-
Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room (18 - 35 ages only)
This bed in dormitory has an air conditioning and tile/marble floor.
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Fan
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Tile/marble floor
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
- Hand sanitiser
-
Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room (18 - 35 ages only)
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Fan
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Tile/marble floor
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Reading light
Guest Reviews
- Collins (3/5): New girl sucks - I have stayed here many times before and always enjoyed my stay. I think the girl that checked me in is new, I had never met her before. She was vapid, vain, condescending, rude, and she had a problem with my age (wtf?) so she moved me to a different room (again wtf?)
- Dmytro (9/5): - Location, staff is helpful
- Katie (7/5): decent - great location. basic backpackers place, nothing special but nothing horrible
- 8SKATER (10/5): -
- Jean-David (10/5): -
- Jean-David (10/5): -
- Jean-David (10/5): -
- Natsumi (7/5): -
- Jacqueline (10/5): Great value for the money! Staff was excellent. - Location price Bed wasn’t comfortable
- Léa (8/5): - Les lits sont incroyablement confortables pour dormir en hostel Je ne suis par contre pas restée assez longtemps pour voir les points négatifs
- Harriet-Mae (7/5): -
- Tom (7/5): -
- Gilles (2/5): Un client fâché ! - Rien La chambre prévue ne fermait pas à clef.
La chambre de secours avait un climatiseur très bruyant (obligé de le couper la nuit).
Les jeunes de l'hôtel ne respectent pas les autres clients.
J'avais demandé à la personne de l'hôtel de téléphoner pour avoir un taxi à 7 heures ce matin (avec un oui comme réponse) mais pas de taxi pour aller à l'aéroport... Heureusement un policier compréhensif a résolu le problème !
Bref, hôtel à DÉCONSEILLER pour un voyageur cherchant un minimum de calme. Peut-être bien pour les jeunes...
- rahulnparab (10/5): Amazing stay in Cairns - Everything was great at the price the rooms were booked Nothing
- Elliott (7/5): -
- Aki (10/5): - It's central location, surrounded with amenities and a perfect hostel to lodge in. Nothing
- Skadhauge (3/5): - Beliggenhed Beskidt, ikke for unge der vil være sociale og lugtede meget af weed og toiletterne var ulækre
- KENICHI (7/5): コスパと立地良く安眠ベッド - ベッドがむき出しではなく カプセル型に囲われているのでプライバシーが保たれリラックスできる。寝具も清潔。ラグーン目の前の好立地、ツアー予約もできる 長期滞在のグループが午後からオーブンでガチでクッキーを焼き、夜9時から大勢で食事を作り始める。洗わず散らかした食器、汚れたテーブルなどが翌朝もそのまま。たまたまそういうゲストに出くわしたのではなく便利と安さで常に長期滞在の和があるのだろうと思う。
- Maria Luisa (4/5): No me volveria a quedar ahi y no lo recomiendo - Nada, solamente buena ubicación Las camas en habitaciones compartidas no tenían privacidad, el hostal era sucio y desordenado, era viejo y le faltaba mantenimiento
- Lilly (10/5): - The hostel has a really welcoming, family-like atmosphere. It’s very clean and the rooms are well equipped. The beds are designed like pods, each with its own curtain, light, power outlet, and fan, which gives you a lot of privacy and comfort.
Both the guests and the staff are very friendly. I especially want to mention Kevin and Laura, the night managers, who quickly helped me out when I had an issue with my door code late at night.
- ADELIIA (10/5): - Very good capsule bed in woman room
- Shota (8/5): -
- Arglo (9/5): - Bedroom style, fan and charging port. Small dining area.
- AliceDM (8/5): Buona soluzione per qualche notte a Cairns! - Clima famigliare, non troppo caotico. L'ostello non è molto grande ma ha una cucina abbastanza attrezzata, una piccola piscina e annessa area relax. ogni letto è dotato di ventoline, luce e prese per caricare il telefono, alcuni hanno anche le tendine. Aria condizionata nelle stanze (non troppo potente, ma sufficiente). bagni abbastanza puliti! Area per mangiare non troppo attrezzata ma per lo spazio a disposizione non male (si trova sempre un posto dove sedersi)
- Victoire (5/5): Mitigé - Prix abordable, juste en face du lagoon.
La cuisine et plutôt bien, de la place dans le frigo avec un système de casier par personne. Peu de lumière naturel entrant dans le bâtiment. La clim fait énormément de bruit et malgré tout il fait chaud la nuit, je pense que beaucoup d'énergie se perd via les fenêtres et les portes.
Le wifi fonctionne mal.
Ce n'est pas un mauvais endroit, cependant je n'y resterai pas pour un long séjour.
- Alvin (9/5): -
- Tiziano (9/5): - The location is the best among all hostels Bought a "premium room", it didn't even have a table or a chair. AC was small and didn't change the room temperature well.
- Nhat Lam (7/5): So so - Convenient Cockroach in toilet.
- Aundrea (5/5): -
- Genevieve (7/5): It was ok, well located and easy to access. - The small private room and easy checkin online. The AC in the room could have been better connected to limit the warm air coming back in and to be more efficient.
- Jordan (10/5): -
- Tsubasa (6/5): -
- Facundo (8/5): -
- Daria (8/5): -
- Sara (3/5): - The location and leaving. This room was a huge letdown. Ants were everywhere, the AC was extremely loud and barely cooled the room, and constant noise made it impossible to relax or sleep. The room felt cramped with no real natural light, and the AC setup was ineffective and felt unsafe. The bathroom had mold, rust, and inconsistent water temperature. On top of that, the pool was visibly dirty, with rust along the sides and green looking water. Overall, the property feels neglected, not worth the price, and in need of major renovation. I would not stay here again.
- Ian (2/5): - Location Property was in poor condition and air conditioning was appalling
- Julie (8/5): -
- Hannah (9/5): Great budget stay - Great budget stay at an ideal location in Cairns. The bed was comfy. The aircon seemed cold at first but I appreciated it after a long day out. I liked the door code system as you don’t need to carry around a key. Staff were friendly. My room was quiet at night. I’d stay here again! I don’t think they have enough bathrooms at the moment, there was one morning I was a little worried about wetting myself due to how long it took for a bathroom to open up. It looks like they have a few bathrooms that are closed for renovation, when they are open I think this will be a nicer place to stay.
- Ayaka (1/5): Not good experience - The location of the hotel is very good. I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with my recent stay at your hostel due to serious issues with the check-in process and lack of communication.
Before my stay, I received a confirmation email and was instructed to enter my personal information online to complete the check-in process. I was informed that I would receive a PIN code by email on the day of check-in to access the property via self check-in.
However, the PIN code did not arrive on the day of my check-in. I emailed the hostel again but received no response. I then called from Cairns Airport to explain the situation and informed the staff that I would arrive in 20 minutes, requesting that the PIN code be sent to me or that someone be available to assist.
Unfortunately, when I arrived at the hostel at the agreed time, there was no one at the front desk, and I still had not received the PIN code. As a result, I was unable to enter the property.
When I eventually spoke to a staff member, they blamed the issue on my email account, rather than taking responsibility or offering a proper solution. This response was disappointing and unprofessional.
Other guests mentioned that similar issues had occurred to them as well. On my check-out day, I saw another guest who was also unable to enter the hostel due to not receiving the PIN code.
This experience caused me significant stress and inconvenience. I believe that without an Australian phone number, it is practically impossible to check in at your property, which should be clearly stated in advance.
I hope you will take this feedback seriously and improve your communication and check-in procedures for future guests.
- Chiatti (6/5): -
- sebastian (5/5): -
- Hsinyu (7/5): 還行 - 有吸煙區 廁所浴室壞了要走很遠,
- Juliana (8/5): - El staff siempre estuvo atento. Limpio No había aire acondicionado. El aire portátil que había estaba sacando el aire caliente al cuarto por lo que el cuarto era muy caliente. Después de dos días resolvieron de manera provisional y mejoró un poco.
- Garzón (7/5): -
- alloway (7/5): -
- Nursyah (5/5): Mudah dijangkau, dekat dengan pusat kota, saya ketinggalan kaca mata di kamar mandi bersama dan tidak menemukannya kemba - Dekat dengan pusat keramaian, mudah mendapatkan makanan dan kebutuhan harian Jumlah kqmqr mandi dan toilet
- Jimmy (10/5): Family owned gem in the heart of Cairns city! - Epsy offers 24 hours service but you’ll have to contact them prior to checking in because you’ll need the entry code for the front door the mobile number should be on Google, this place is so underrated. The bunk set up consist of 2 mini fans and a personal night light! Very sturdy bunks 😉unlike YHA, Jacks and Gilligans. The staff were so helpful that I rebooked for another 3 nights. This place will now be my layover choice travelling out of cairns.
- Klaudia (8/5): -
- Stephanie (10/5): -
- Alicia (3/5): Ótima localização porém instalações deixaram muito a desejar - A localização é mto boa O quarto em que me hospedei não tinha ar condicionado, os dias estavam cerca de 30 graus e o calor era intenso, na cozinha e sala também havia apenas um ventilador que não era o suficiente. Passava o máximo de tempo possível fora do hostel para suportar o calor e na ultima noite estava insustentável então aluguei um quarto em outro hostel
- Jona (8/5): -
- Edisson (10/5): - Comfortable, clean and good spaces. The main door didn't accept the code, they are fixing it but in any case ask.
- Shorn (8/5): Loved my stay, coming back to stay there again in the near future. - Great location, walking distance to all other amenities and the city within city limits and I loved it. No comment.
- Andreas (10/5): -
- Harzendorf (9/5): -
- Tizamal974 (8/5): -
- Stefan (10/5): -
- maria (4/5): Muy cutre y poco atendido - La ubicación y la cama Muy cutre, y viejo. No se corresponde para nada con las fotos. Aire acondicionado en los interiores de los pasillos goteando y muy ruidoso. De tres baños, uno estaba no operativo y el otro no funcionaba el agua caliente. Nos quedamos fuera de la habiacion y no habia personal para abrirnos y tampoco contestaron al número de teléfono que tienen de urgencia.
- Sophie (8/5): - Good hostel
- LORRAINE (7/5): - The bed, localisation No luggage room, only usb and usb-c closed to the bed is annoying…
- Ed (10/5): -
- Toni (10/5): - It was close to everything that I needed to be close to! Everyone in the hostel was lovely
- Mattéo (6/5): -
- Festus (9/5): -
- Lisa (1/5): - Location Hi there we enjoyed our stay the espy hostel however our last night the night of the 17th we where awoken to a girl being brought into the room by the gentleman on bottom bunk on the right hand side then he proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her without and respect for anyone in the room whatsoever and it was quite disgusting to be fair we just wanted to let you know for future guests
- Febrian (9/5): -
- Susan (7/5): Affordable and convenient location - The.check in method No carpatk
- Moritz (7/5): -
- matteo (10/5): -
- Doug (1/5): - Extremely poor attitude, accepted booking knowing where we live but cancelled immediately on the grounds that they don't accept bookings from Queenslanders. Apart from the fact that this is discriminatory and most probably illegal under Queensland law, it is also very bad policy
- Nelson (7/5): -
- Annalisa (8/5): - I stayed one night in a single bedroom and I can't really complain. It had everything I needed, bed sheets, towel, shower gel, which is not obvious in a hostel.
Bathroom was clean and close to my room. Hard to judje from only one night. It looked all good to me.
- Collins (8/5): -
- Porter (9/5): Quiet place to crash for travelers - The beds are great. Common areas are small.
- Johnson (1/5): Bad -
- Yuri (8/5): Very good -
- Jamie (6/5): Pleasant - Great location in the middle of town. Private beds w light and charging facilities built in Wasn’t the cleanest place
- Judith (4/5): Uncomfortable - Convenient. Bed was really hard, aircon noisy and to high could not reach to turn fan down.
- Liliana (8/5): Budget accommodation in Cairns - Location Very uncomfortable bed and tiny bathroom.
- Fede (8/5): Very good -
- Carcharias (7/5): Good - They offered an affordable upgrade to a single room, They usually do not allow people over 35 or residents of QLD
- Iryna (5/5): Passable -
- Julia (10/5): Accomodation in Good location - The setup is nice. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The location is amazing, being directly at the Esplanade. Some of the sinks in the bathrooms were working but veery very instable. Shower curtains were moldy.
- Amélie (8/5): Perfect for 2 nights, in the heart of the esplanade, rather quiet hostel - Clean, very good location, pleasant staff
- Ture (8/5): Cozy and chill hostel on the esplanade - Pod like, comfy and wide beds so we both fit in one. The rooms are pretty small with up to 6 people in each, with great noise cancellation from the outside. Great friendly guests, and calm areas thanks to the hostels relatively small size. Most workers were backpackers living there, which was nice. Really comfy pool area, with sofas and a hammock. People like to sing and make music some evenings or while cooking, good atmosphere. Dishes were often unclean, and many guests were untidy in the kitchen — there’s a sign that says there’s a small fee if you don’t wash your dishes, which would probably benefit the hostel if it was actually enforced — we washed all our cookingware before cooking and dining. No good space for computer work if you need to keep your laptop plugged in. We loved the service, but it was a bit hard to get in contact with staff since their office hours were unpredictable. We were locked out one time since our code didn’t work for some reason, and our phones were uncharged, we got help from another guest. Bad WiFi coverage in our room.
- Sara (10/5): Exceptional - The best hostel. I have stayed here before I love the vibes of this place! This time I was in a private room and was lovely. The communal areas are spacious and super chilled. There is a pool and honestly , it’s a lovely place.
Super recommend!
Staff also very helpful and welcoming! I loved it!
- Federico (9/5): Superb -
- Martin (7/5): Good -
- Christina (10/5): My favourite hostel in Cairns for sure - Genuinely the best hostel I've ever stayed at - It's family-owned and operated, made for travellers, by travellers. Great location, considering it's right on the busy Esplanade, it's surprisingly still a really chill, calm space, not loud at all - like a safe haven in the middle of the action.
The prices are super affordable, especially if you book in advance, which I would recommend as it fills up fast during peak times.
The common areas are a super nice comfy space to relax, have fun, and meet new people. They got a nice pool, a big hammock, giant jenga, and more. The kitchen is fully stocked with everything you need, and everyone cleans up after themselves.
The people staying there and the staff are really cool people, super kind and accommodating, and everything is super clean and well-maintained.
There is AC in the rooms, plus two little but powerful fans above every bed, plus a small lamp and a power outlet right next to the bed (hallelujah!).
The beds are great - the mattresses, pillows, and sheets are super comfy, and the bed bases are made of wood rather than squeaky metal (also I like the cave-like feeling you get from the slabs of wood, gives you a little more privacy than your average hostel bed).
The hostel provides towels, and the dorm rooms come with an ensuite bathroom (toilet and shower), and there's plenty of shared bathrooms throughout the hostel as well.
Check-in and check-out were made so easy, and the doors are super secure thanks to a door code and the goki app.
In short, I can not recommend this hostel enough! What a great place, hope to come back one day ❤️ Leaving.... I didn't like leaving haha
- Ileana (9/5): Superb - Very nice and quiet hostel, the staff are friendly and helpful, amazing location. Would stay here again.
- Lawes (1/5): Bad -
- Gaby (4/5): Too loud for sleep, wish I’d paid a few extra dollars for different hostel - Good location. Nice surprise with toiletries and multiple towels. Staff very friendly. Sadly for me the air con was way too loud and I didn’t get much sleep over the two nights. Even with earplugs and headphones I could still hear the drone. Also the entrance and ground floor has a backstreet alley vibe to it.
- Erika (3/5): Poor -
- Maren (8/5): Very good -
- Geraldine (9/5): Superb - Nice, clean, and comfortable for shared facilities
- Alice (7/5): This structure needs a lot of maintenance - excellent location, well laid out, I liked that access to the outside was direct and not through doors bathrooms in indecent conditions, personal soaps thrown on the floor and on the sink, no one should leave their things in a common place like the bathroom. my bed ladder was broken, the beds squeaked, the fan was noisy during the night
- Dian (9/5): Superb -
- Ophélie (4/5): I've caught a migraine - Right in the center Have you ever slept at night in a bus during a holiday camp or school trip? The sound of the air conditioning was the same ahahaha nice night
- Vinod (7/5): Good - Breakfast was not included.
Location is very good. Location and situated very closed to sea and other nice shopping complex.
- Tori (8/5): Great spot, highly recommend! - Great location with nice amenities like laundry, kitchen, and pool. Common spaces no air conditioned which got very hot and muggy.
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