How Axel worksAxel $96 a night vs $100 on Booking.com at Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel, Nov 6 to Nov 8, 2026: $4 a night less (4%). Seen Oct 7.
3-star hotel · 423 Mulgrave Road, Cairns
ATM · Air conditioning · Smoking areas · Smoke-free property · Heating · Security guard · Television in lobby · Terrace · Fire Extinguisher · No elevators · Reception desk · Room service
Hotels in CairnsA simple motel attached to a pub in suburban Cairns
8.5/10
A strong, no-fuss pick for drivers who value clean rooms and easy pub dining.
Nightcap at Balaclava is a simple pub-attached motel in Earlville, rather than a downtown holiday hotel. It's a strong pick for a practical Cairns stop: recent Booking.com and Expedia guests repeatedly praise clean rooms, comfortable beds and friendly staff. Gated parking and the adjoining Graziers Steakhouse make arriving, eating and settling in straightforward, while guests also appreciate the room-service meals and breakfast packs.
The main compromise is location: the Esplanade is roughly five kilometres away, so plan on driving or taking transport for waterfront outings. Shops are closer, and the hotel says a CBD-bound bus stops across the road. This is accommodation built around the basics, not resort facilities. We'd skip it for a car-free waterfront holiday; late arrivals should also confirm check-in arrangements before booking.
Axel's opinion, from the hotel's website and recent guest reviews, scored for what the hotel is. Sources: Hotel website · Booking.com · Expedia. Reviewed Oct 10, 2026.
$96 a night with Axel against $100 a night on Booking.com for the same dates and party: $4 a night less (4%).
Double Studio (full double bed) (queen size bed) · refundable
$4/night less than Booking.com (4%)Rate for Nov 6 to Nov 8, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 7
Sign up free to book this rate$102 a night with Axel against $105 a night on Booking.com for the same dates and party: $3 a night less (3%).
Double Studio (full double bed) (queen size bed) · refundable
$3/night less than Booking.com (3%)Rate for Jan 8 to Jan 10, 2027 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rate$99 a night with Axel, the same as Expedia for these dates and party.
Double Studio (full double bed) (queen size bed) · refundable
Same price as ExpediaRate for Nov 13 to Nov 15, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rate$108 a night with Axel, the same as Expedia for these dates and party.
Double Studio (full double bed) (queen size bed) · refundable
Same price as ExpediaRate for Nov 24 to Nov 26, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rate$105 a night with Axel; Expedia listed $104 a night for these dates when seen.
Double Studio (full double bed) (queen size bed) · refundable
Per night, all in, as a free account pays itRate for Dec 11 to Dec 13, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rateSign up for free with just your phone number to book a stay at Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel, or to check it for your own dates.
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Axel $96 a night vs $100 on Booking.com at Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel, Nov 6 to Nov 8, 2026: $4 a night less (4%). Seen Oct 7.
Axel is a travel agent that books hotels at private rates you will not find on the public booking sites. It is free to use: sign up with your phone number and an email address. This page lists every stay Axel has priced for Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel in Cairns in the last 7 days, each beside the public rate seen for the same dates. Sign up free to book one, or sign up free to check Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel for your own dates.
A strong, no-fuss pick for drivers who value clean rooms and easy pub dining. A simple motel attached to a pub in suburban Cairns, scored for what it is.
Nightcap at Balaclava is a simple pub-attached motel in Earlville, rather than a downtown holiday hotel. It's a strong pick for a practical Cairns stop: recent Booking.com and Expedia guests repeatedly praise clean rooms, comfortable beds and friendly staff. Gated parking and the adjoining Graziers Steakhouse make arriving, eating and settling in straightforward, while guests also appreciate the room-service meals and breakfast packs.
The main compromise is location: the Esplanade is roughly five kilometres away, so plan on driving or taking transport for waterfront outings. Shops are closer, and the hotel says a CBD-bound bus stops across the road. This is accommodation built around the basics, not resort facilities. We'd skip it for a car-free waterfront holiday; late arrivals should also confirm check-in arrangements before booking.
Best for: Road-trippers with a car; Short business stays; Budget-conscious couples
Watch out for: Outside the waterfront and CBD; Limited reception and check-in hours; Reserve parking ahead
Location: Earlville shops nearby; roughly five kilometres to the Esplanade, with a CBD bus stop opposite.
Rooms: Simple air-conditioned rooms with fridges; comfortable beds receive repeated praise.
Cleanliness: Strong recent feedback overall, with occasional housekeeping misses rather than a consistent pattern.
Service: Friendly, helpful staff are a recurring strength across Booking.com and Expedia.
Amenities: Steakhouse, sports bar, room-service meals, free Wi-Fi, laundry and gated parking.
Fees and surprises: Parking is free but Expedia says to reserve ahead; check late-arrival arrangements directly.
Axel's opinion of Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel, from the hotel's website and recent guest reviews. Sources: Hotel website · Booking.com · Expedia. Reviewed Oct 10, 2026.
Every stay Axel priced for Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel within the last 7 days. Each rate is per night: the total for the stay shown, as a free account pays it, including any fee the hotel collects at check-in, divided by its nights, beside the public rate seen for the same dates and party, also per night. These are examples, not live inventory: sign up free and Axel checks live rooms and rates for those dates.
| Stay | Axel rate | Public rate | Difference | Seen | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 6 to Nov 8, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults | $96 a night · refundable · Double Studio (full double bed) (queen size bed) | $100 a night on Booking.com | $4 a night less (4%) | Seen Oct 7 | Sign up free to book |
| Jan 8 to Jan 10, 2027 · 2 nights · 2 adults | $102 a night · refundable · Double Studio (full double bed) (queen size bed) | $105 a night on Booking.com | $3 a night less (3%) | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book |
| Nov 13 to Nov 15, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults | $99 a night · refundable · Double Studio (full double bed) (queen size bed) | $99 a night on Expedia | same price | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book |
| Nov 24 to Nov 26, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults | $108 a night · refundable · Double Studio (full double bed) (queen size bed) | $108 a night on Expedia | same price | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book |
| Dec 11 to Dec 13, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults | $105 a night · refundable · Double Studio (full double bed) (queen size bed) | $104 a night on Expedia | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book |
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Better travel prices with Axel. Axel compares the public rate on Expedia, Booking.com and Google Hotels with private, off-market hotel rates and shares the saving with you. Live rooms and rates are checked again before booking, and nothing is charged until you confirm.
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