--- title: "The Oceanfront vs The Reef Motel: which hotel is better?" description: "The Oceanfront or The Reef Motel in Cairns? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side." url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/the-oceanfront-cairns-vs-the-reef-motel-cairns/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-10-23 --- # The Oceanfront vs The Reef Motel Both are in Cairns, 40 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger. Hotel · ★★★★ · Cairns North ## [The Oceanfront](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/the-oceanfront-cairns/) - **Guest rating:** 7.1 · Good - **Location score:** 4.5 - **Score by category:** 1 of 3 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2209428/agoda/?lang=en) Motel · ★★★ · Cairns North ## [The Reef Motel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/the-reef-motel-cairns/) - **Guest rating:** 6.4 · Okay - **Location score:** 4.6 - **Score by category:** 0 of 3 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2213762/agoda/?lang=en) The short answer ## Too close to call Neither hotel has a clear edge on the facts we have. Your priorities decide. 40 m apart. ### Choose The Oceanfront if you want - a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 133 / 21) ### Choose The Reef Motel if you want - a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 21 / 133) ### Why is The Oceanfront better than The Reef Motel? 1. Higher guest rating (7.1 vs 6.4) (+0.7) 2. Higher star rating (4★ vs 3★) (+1★) 3. More guest reviews (69 vs 23), so the rating is more reliable (×3.0) 4. A larger hotel with more facilities (133 vs 21 rooms) (×6.3) ### Why is The Reef Motel better than The Oceanfront? 1. A smaller, more intimate hotel (21 vs 133 rooms) (−112) ## All compared facts Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel. | | The Oceanfront | The Reef Motel | | --- | --- | --- | | Score by category | | Guest rating | 7.1 (+0.7) | 6.4 | | Location | 4.5 | 4.6 | | Public transport | 5.6 | 5.8 | | Ratings & reviews | | StayVersus score | 7.5 | 7.5 | | Guest rating | 7.1 (+0.7) | 6.4 | | Number of reviews | 69 (+46) | 23 | | Rank in Cairns | bottom 4% | bottom 5% | | Location | | Location score | 4.5 | 4.6 | | Distance to Cairns North centre | 910 m | 890 m | | To public transport | 960 m | 930 m | | To the airport | 3.7 km | 3.8 km | | Restaurants within 500 m | 18 | 18 | | To the nearest food shop | 390 m | 360 m | | Shops within 500 m | 2 | 2 | | Sights within 1 km | 0 | 0 | | Rooms & building | | Star rating | ★★★★ (+1★) | ★★★ | | Rooms | 133 | 21 | | Floors | 9 | – | | Policies | | Check-in from | 14:00 | 14:00 | | Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 | ## Live prices around both hotels Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer. ## Nightly price by month The OceanfrontThe Reef Motel - The Reef Motel is cheaper in 12 of 12 months - The Oceanfront: €126 a night on average · The Reef Motel: €98 a night on average Pick a month to check today's price for its cheapest date. [Hotel prices in Cairns by month](https://stayversus.com/en/australia/cairns/prices/) Averages of real one-night prices for two adults on Agoda, a Tuesday and a Saturday in each month, last checked 22 October 2026. In euros; the final price is shown before you book. [The Oceanfront prices by month](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/the-oceanfront-cairns/prices/) ## Location 40 m apart The Oceanfront: city centre: 660 m, nearest station Kuranda Scenic Railway, Cairns: 960 m, Cairns International Airport (CNS): 3.7 km, 18 places to eat within 500 m. The Reef Motel: city centre: 630 m, nearest station Kuranda Scenic Railway, Cairns: 930 m, Cairns International Airport (CNS): 3.8 km, 18 places to eat within 500 m. ## Weather in Cairns [Cairns weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/australia/queensland/cairns/weather) ## The Oceanfront or The Reef Motel: common questions ### Which is better, The Oceanfront or The Reef Motel? The Oceanfront leads in 1 of 3 categories, including guest rating. ### Which is cheaper, The Oceanfront or The Reef Motel? Over the year The Reef Motel costs about €98 a night on average against €126 at The Oceanfront, and it is cheaper in 12 of the 12 months we checked. Pick your dates above for today's prices. ### How far apart are The Oceanfront and The Reef Motel? The two hotels are 40 m apart in a straight line. ## More match-ups - [The Oceanfront vs Cairns Harbourside Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/cairns-harbourside-hotel-cairns-vs-the-oceanfront-cairns/) - [The Oceanfront vs 181 The Esplanade Resort](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/181-the-esplanade-resort-cairns-vs-the-oceanfront-cairns/) - [The Oceanfront vs Bohemia Resort Cairns](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/bohemia-resort-cairns-cairns-vs-the-oceanfront-cairns/) - [The Reef Motel vs Cairns Harbourside Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/cairns-harbourside-hotel-cairns-vs-the-reef-motel-cairns/) - [The Reef Motel vs Bohemia Resort Cairns](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/bohemia-resort-cairns-cairns-vs-the-reef-motel-cairns/) - [The Reef Motel vs Aspect Central Motel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/aspect-central-motel-cairns-vs-the-reef-motel-cairns/) ## 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](https://stayversus.com/en/about/) --- Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/the-oceanfront-cairns-vs-the-reef-motel-cairns/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/