Shangri-la

by | Aug 23, 2026 | Member Spotlight | 0 comments

It’s an iconic feature on our coastal urban landscape – as much a part of our identity as it is an important cog in our tourism economy.
Walking into Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns, you are instantly transported to “Holiday Land” with gorgeous views of the water, vessels and mountains over Trinity Inlet.
At the helm is general manager Golden Whitehead, a South African native who landed in Cairns just over a year ago. He has lived and worked in an impressive list of cities but is sounding suspiciously like a man who has fallen for the Far North’s charm.
Director of Sales Melanie Decourcy is a long-time local who, like Golden, knows every inch of the hotel business; knowledge gained through decades of rich experience.
Affectionately known as “The Shang” by locals, the five-star hotel was built in 1989 as part of The Pier complex with The Shangri-La brand arriving in 2004.
For CEO Jennifer Spilsbury and Operations Manager Frankie Opie, it didn’t feel like work sipping a coffee next to the pool with Golden and Melanie discussing tourism trends, the future of Cairns and what visitors are looking for in a Far Northern experience.
Thank you for being such great hosts and providing terrific insights.
Oh, and for helping us leave the rest of the world behind even if it was just for an hour!
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