Cairns Hilton is a very nice hotel, with excellent service. Staff is very well trained (kudos to the General Manager, John Ingram). I concur with doc, Ex lounge is very nice, both for breakfast and for pre-dinner drinks and appetizers. Diving at the Great Barrier Reef is an incredible experience, but also make sure you'd rent a car and drive to Cape Tribulation. Rental car companies deliver vehicle to your hotel and pick it up afterwards. Beautiful drive along the coastal highway. BTW, make sure you wear "real" shoes, not sandals for a night boardwalk there. Also, January could be very hot and humid!