EN
Compare hotels

Dreamtime Hostel vs Motel Nomad

Both are in Cairns, 2.3 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

HostelCairns City

Dreamtime Hostel

Guest rating
9.1 Excellent
Location score
8.2
Score by category
4 of 4
Check rates

Apartment★★★½Bungalow

Motel Nomad

Guest rating
8.1 Very good
Location score
4.1
Score by category
0 of 4
Check rates

The short answer

Pick Dreamtime Hostel

It leads in 4 of 4 categories. 2.3 km apart.

Choose Dreamtime Hostel if you want

  • the more consistently praised stay
  • to walk to the sights
  • more restaurants on the doorstep
  • a smaller, quieter hotel

Choose Motel Nomad if you want

  • a big hotel with more facilities

Why is Dreamtime Hostel better than Motel Nomad?

  1. 1Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 8.1)+1.0
  2. 21.0 km closer to the city centre−1.0 km
  3. 363 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m+63
  4. 4More walkable surroundings (walk grade 79 vs 49)+30
  5. 56 more sights within 1 km+6
  6. 6Earlier check-in (12:00 vs 14:00)−2h
  7. 7A smaller, more intimate hotel (1 vs 54 rooms)−53

Why is Motel Nomad better than Dreamtime Hostel?

  1. 1More guest reviews (371 vs 13), so the rating is more reliable×29
  2. 2A larger hotel with more facilities (54 vs 1 rooms)×54.0

All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

Dreamtime HostelMotel Nomad
Score by category
Guest rating 9.1 +1.0 8.1
Location 8.2 +4.1 4.1
Facilities – 4.2
Families – 1.0
Spa & wellness – 1.5
Beach access 6.9 +6.9 0.0
Public transport 10.0 +8.2 1.8
Ratings & reviews
StayVersus score 8.5 +0.4 8.1
Guest rating 9.1 +1.0 8.1
Number of reviews 13 371 +358
Google rating 4.6/5 +0.9 3.7/5
Google reviews 340 +106 234
Rank in Cairns top 35% +39% top 74%
Location
Location score 8.2 +4.1 4.1
Distance to the centre 1.6 km −1.0 km 2.7 km
To public transport 130 m –
To the airport 5.6 km 6.3 km
Restaurants within 500 m 84 +63 21
Sights within 1 km 7 +6 1
Rooms & building
Star rating – ★★★½
Rooms 1 54
Floors – 2
Newest building or renovation – 2018
Listed amenities 4 16 +12
Policies
Check-in from 12:00 −2h 14:00
Check-out until 10:00 10:00
Amenities
Free Wi-Fi ✓ ✓
Free parking ✓ ✓
Swimming pool ✓ ✓
Air conditioning ✓ ✓
Car hire – ✓
Luggage storage – ✓
Bar – ✓
Terrace – ✓
Nightclub – ✓
Casino – ✓
Balcony – ✓
Minibar – ✓
Coffee or tea maker – ✓
Blackout curtains – ✓
Which hotel suits you
Families with children ✓ –
Couples ✓ –
Beach holidays ✓ –
Sightseeing on foot ✓ –
Business trips ✓ –
Spa & relaxation – ✓

Price for your dates

Dreamtime Hostel

    See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

    Motel Nomad

      See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

      Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.

      Location

      2.3 km apart

      Dreamtime Hostel: city centre: 1.6 km, nearest station Kuranda Scenic Railway: 130 m, Cairns International Airport (CNS): 5.6 km, 84 places to eat within 500 m, 7 sights within 1 km.

      Motel Nomad: city centre: 2.7 km, Cairns International Airport (CNS): 6.3 km, 21 places to eat within 500 m, 1 sights within 1 km.

      OpenStreetMap

      Dreamtime Hostel or Motel Nomad: common questions

      Which is better, Dreamtime Hostel or Motel Nomad?

      Dreamtime Hostel leads in 4 of 4 categories, including guest rating, location, beach access.

      Which is cheaper, Dreamtime Hostel or Motel Nomad?

      Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.

      Which hotel is closer to the centre?

      Dreamtime Hostel is closer: 1.6 km from the centre, against 2.7 km for Motel Nomad.

      How far apart are Dreamtime Hostel and Motel Nomad?

      The two hotels are 2.3 km apart in a straight line.

      More match-ups

      Compare now

      Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. How we score