The Pacific International Cairns, one of the region’s most iconic hotels, is putting the finishing touches on a $20 million transformation.
Gone are the opulent gilded windows and heavy timber balustrades, to be replaced by classic stainless steel, modern lighting, floor to ceiling frameless glass, trendy wallpapers and stunning furniture.
Paul Kamsler, executive director of the hotel, said the changes were more in tune with today’s modern traveller, and marked an exciting time for the hotel, allowing it to fully maximise its potential in both domestic and international markets.
The hotel is unveilling its new look porte cochere, foyer, lobby, Sugar Cane lounge, and public areas, as well as the extensive work undertaken to the front facade of the hotel.
“We are now approaching the end of our refurbishment and enhancement program, which has seen an investment in the hotel of around $20 million dollars over the last five years, with three quarters of that spent in the last 18 months.”
The refurbishment project, which commenced in 2008 and has been undertaken in six stages, has been integral to the hotel’s plan of enhancing guest experience and offering state-of-the-art conference and events facilities. The work has also been carried out with great care taken to preserve the hotel’s unique history, including one its most iconic statement pieces – the two over-sized chandeliers that hang four and a half metres into the
centre of the lobby.
The hotel’s 176 guest rooms have also been completely enhanced, with new mini bar centres, bathrooms, as well as new carpet, curtains and lighting.
The Pacific International Cairns has undergone a dramatic transformation to both the front and back of house.
“We are also confident our conference and events centre, which occupies the entire third floor of the hotel and offers eight versatile spaces, will prove a real drawcard, along with the hotel’s location on Cairns’ Esplanade,” he added.
Behind the scenes, away from the view of guests, the hotel’s basement has also been completely rebuilt from the concrete slab to the ceiling to provide a completely new back of house area for employees with custom designed offices as well a dedicated training room kitted with
the latest technology and staff canteen.
