Floriana Boutique Hotel

Without a doubt the very worst food I have ever had at a restaurant. Party of ten and almost everyone thought the food was terrible. A number of us ordered the scallops. Every dish was cold and the scallops were tasteless and rubbery. One person refused to eat them cold and sent them back to be heated. They came back warm, but even more rubbery. My husband ordered oysters natural. These were not served until everyone else had finished their entrees. How that’s possible is beyond belief considering they did not need to be cooked. A number of us ordered the lamb ribs and the only word you can use to describe them was foul. Luke warm fat. Gelatinous with barely a skerrick of meat to be found. I just can’t find the words to describe how bad they were. Had a quiet word with the waiter and said that I never complain but that has to be the worst meal I have ever had at a restaurant and I eat out regularly. He apologised and said he would have a word with the chef. My husband had the special of the day, mackerel. If I thought the lamb fat was bad this was next level. I still can’t get the taste out of my mouth an hour later. Nothing like the mackerel I’m used, light and white. The taste was like tinned mackerel. Super oily and overwhelming fishy. As we were paying the bill, all in agreement as to how bad the food was, the waiter advised he had spoken with the chef and he promised that he would look after us next time. Here’s the tip, we will never be back. We should never have had to pay for such terrible food. We talking around $65 for sub standard slop. Given how bad it was, we should never have been charged. So bad that I feel compelled to write my first ever negative review. Such a shame as the decor is stunning and the location in the Esplanade is great. Given it is away from the main tourist area I would think that local patronage would be essential but this local will not be back.

We stayed two nights at this nice little boutique hotel. The room was rather standard, not huge, no luxury, but it had all the amenities we needed. The location was good, not immediately in the center, but right next to the Esplanade by the water, and a 10-15 minute walk to the center. Near the airport. We also had a delicious breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Would recommend for a night or two in Cairns.

As locals we like to support businesses in Cairns, so it was off to dinner at Floriana last night (Thursday 2nd October). Himself made a booking and it was a few minutes wait to be seated. This is a lovely venue, relaxing with a hint of excitment with the hospital medivac helicopter landing. Very welcoming staff. Service was a bit slow, but with a delicious cocktail in hand we were happy enough. I ordered beef carparccio and Himself the grilled tiger prawns. Entrees in the high $20s so expectations were accordingly set. Presentation was lovely for both entrees. Flavour? 0/10. As in no flavour other than fridge. The Tiger prawns were in the shell and there the flesh was determined to stay. Dripping in a flavourless unction- fiddly and impossible to eat really. chewy and meh. Mains was where it really went south. Medium Ribeye ($52) served with potatoes Anna, red wine jus on the side. A rare slab of stringy meat, looked like the rough end from the butcher. For me the slow oven roasted mediterrainian half chicken with chemoula, warmed hummos, olives, pitta, pickled radish($42) In reality- chicken maryland and supreme cut. Tasted 100% of fridge (did I mention I am an ex chef?), tough, dry and the flavour? Fridge, only fridge. Hummos- coles brand, olives straight out of the brine, no chemoula and side greens with no dressing and slime. The waiter asked us how our meals were, so we told him. He stated he was really sorry to hear this, agreed the chicken was dry. We were offered the dessert menu and much explaination as to the restaurant being swamped (25 pax) and he was so tired. The waiter seemed surprised we didn't want dessert! So in total 2 great cocktails, 2 glasses of wine each (not shown the label and not poured at the table so can only assume it was what we ordered) 2 entree eaten and only one main eaten. Bill $200 with a whopping $25 taken off the bill. Truly disappointing. Will stick with NuNus and Palooka and the Salthouse. Better value, consistantly better food and frankly NuNus and Salthouse have stunning vistas. Won't be returning, won't be recomending.

The staff at the Floriana Boutique Hotel went out of their way to show us compassion and provide help and support when a medical emergency necessitated special consideration. Their response was outstanding and we are incredibly impressed. We enjoyed the on site restaurant and the rooms were very comfortable and attractive. We highly recommend the Floriana Boutique Hotel for its personal attention to detail and guests. We have not stayed in many other hotels that have offered such impressive staff.

The retro room was so beautiful, especially as we had an ocean view and could have the windows open to hear the ocean and feel the breeze. We were also treated to the acoustic music rambling up the stairwell into our room from the restaurant below. All in all a romantic stay with wonderful staff, food and a very comfortable bed

Super Kind staff - great hospitality! Clean and very beautiful rooms. We loved it!