In celebration of mankind's furry friends and to provide guests with a totally guilt-free holiday, Crystalbrook Bailey Residences is rolling out the red carpet with dog-friendly stays from 1 February 2022.

A five-star hotel first in the region, Crystalbrook Bailey General Manager, Lisa Brown believes the new offer will be particularly attractive to guests driving into Cairns, who simply can't stand the thought of leaving their best mate behind.

“Now there's no need to find a pet-sitter and wave goodbye to those big puppy-dog eyes. Get ready to pack the pooch and let them enjoy a luxury holiday or staycation with you,” Lisa says.

The dog-friendly Residential Paws package is available to add on to your stay at Crystalbrook Bailey Residences for an additional $95, and includes a food and water bowl, with a special doggy treat on arrival.

In celebration of our canine companions, guests (of the humankind) will receive a complimentary 'Dog-tini' cocktail for all stays throughout the month of February.

In theme with the dog-friendly stays, Crystalbrook Bailey is also excited to launch its February/March artist in residence, Amanda Mcgahan, and her doggy exhibition, titled Pooch and Hooch.

Working with mixed mediums, the installation features ceramics in the form of pups, and oil-based paintings with timber floating frames. The ceramics are created from raku handbuilding clay with varied decorative techniques including underglazes and stains. Mcgahan's work is inspired by interactions between humans and animals.

“My work aims to replicate a moment, an expression or a feeling of the animal and to mirror that feeling in the audience, whether it be humour, love, empathy or recognition,” Amanda Mcgahan says.

Pooch and Hooch features paws and pups of all shapes and sizes. Mcgahan's work gently reminds us what we can learn from our paw pals. To enjoy life, play daily, love unconditionally, be yourself and wag your tail.

“I have two dogs and love their quirky characteristics and mannerisms and their close similarities to human gestures,” she says.

All pieces are available to purchase.

Key dates

• 1 February 2022: Exhibition opens
• 4 February 2022: Exhibition launch night 6:30 - 7:30pm in the Crystalbrook Bailey lobby
• 28 March 2022: Exhibition closes
• Dog-friendly stays are available from 1 February 2022

About Crystalbrook Bailey Residences

Modern, innovative and with a true love of the arts, Crystalbrook Bailey Residences celebrate individuality and originality. Crystalbrook Bailey is home to one, two and three-bedroom luxury holiday apartments, unmissable views of Cairns, contemporary restaurants and 5-star facilities, providing the perfect base for your exploration of Tropical North Queensland. Do things your way and enjoy the space, flexibility and luxury home comforts of Crystalbrook Bailey's holiday apartments in Cairns.

Crystalbrook Bailey and the arts

Situated in the heart of Cairns' cultural precinct, Crystalbrook Bailey is nestled alongside Cairns Performing Arts Centre and The Cairns Art Gallery.  Crystalbrook Bailey has a strong passion for the arts, design, entertainment, and sustainability with an ever-evolving, ever-changing array of professional art on display throughout the hotel.

Meet the artist

Amanda Mcgahan is a visual artist who studied at TAFE Cairns, completing her Diploma of Visual Arts in 2017.

Mcgahan specialises in clay figure sculpture, portraiture, drawing and painting and has exhibited locally for many years. Mcgahan supplies works to The UnderArt Gallery in Cairns and last year set up her own Gallery and non-profit organisation with business partner Craig Edwards, called The Kite Gallery, 133 Grafton Street, Cairns, neighbouring Crystalbrook Bailey.

Mcgahan is the Co-Founder and President to Inspired Community Support Services INC and The Kite Gallery. Here, Mcgahan is a mental health worker supporting clients on the NDIS. Mcgahan runs and coordinates inclusive art programs and exhibitions at The Kite Gallery, operated by inspired Community Support Services Inc. Mcgahan offers clay sculpture programs for everyone, beginners welcome.

Interested in a sculpture of your pet or furry friend? Mcgahan is available to take commissions of your beloved pet.

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About Crystalbrook 

Crystalbrook is one of Australia's leading sustainable and innovative independent hospitality companies. Each hotel in the portfolio carries an authentic expression of its location, a passion for responsible luxury, considered design and a twinkle of fun for a uniquely enriching experience.

Crystalbrook's portfolio includes: 

- Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns, Queensland 

- Crystalbrook Albion, New South Wales 

- Crystalbrook Byron, Byron Bay, New South Wales

- Crystalbrook Bailey, Cairns, Queensland 

- Crystalbrook Flynn, Cairns, Queensland 

- Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle, New South Wales

- Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane, Queensland

The Group also owns and operates a collection of ten restaurants, three spas, Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas along with Crystalbrook Station and its subsidiary pastoral businesses.

Responsible Luxury

Responsible Luxury and sustainability is at the forefront of the way Crystalbrook thinks and operates. At a glance:

• Operating a single use plastic free environment. No plastic straws, water bottles or single use bathroom amenity bottles (in the past two years the Group has saved over three million plastic bottles from entering landfill)
• Farming their own beef
• Sourcing at least 80% of produce from within a three-hour drive of each hotel
• Use of technology, such as in-room iPads and mobile check-in to create paperless environments and experiences
• Use of recycled and upcycled materials. Examples include key cards made from recycled wood, coat hangers made from recycled paper and toothbrushes made from sugar cane and corn starch.

Crystalbrook Collection and Ghassan Aboud Group

Crystalbrook Collection is part of Ghassan Aboud Group promoted by international entrepreneur and philanthropist Ghassan Aboud. The group is a multi-business conglomerate engaged in automobiles, real estate, hospitality, FMCG, food, retail, bespoke catering, media and logistics. In business for more than two decades, the group operates from its global headquarters in the United Arab Emirates with offices in Australia, Belgium, Jordan and Turkey.