A CAIRNS hotel has edged out competition from across the state as the most popular place to stay, according to new figures.

Accommodation website Wotif.com has ranked The Sebel Cairns in Abbott St as the No.1 for nights booked by guests, ahead of hotels at the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Its position in December comes as hotels report heavy bookings for tonight, New Year’s Eve.

The Sebel Cairns is the only hotel in the Far North with a state top 10 ranking, with the next best being Cairns Harbour Lights (22) and Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas (24).

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (30), Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns (31), The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa (42) and Cairns Central Plaza Hotel (43) were other Far North hotels ranked in the top 50.

Ana and Robert Wilson were among the 700 guests who have booked-out The Sebel Cairns for New Year’s Eve.

The Mooroobool couple’s plans for a romantic getaway were foiled five years ago when their daughter, Ava, was born two weeks early on December 29.

"It’s the first New Year’s we’ve had away in years... that’s why we decided to stay somewhere nice and spoil ourselves and have a great time," Ms Wilson said.

The Sebel Cairns general manager Felipe Lagos-Guichard said Queenslanders, particularly locals, made up 60 per cent of guest bookings.

Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas general manager Lachlan Walker expected the resort to be at capacity today.

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