Whether you’re looking for a luxurious designer resort to cater to your every whim or you’d rather get back to nature in your very own private chalet, there are so many unique accommodation options on the Gold Coast to suit every taste and budget. We’ve put together our top 10!
If holidays are the time you really treat yourself, the Gold Coast has everything you need.
Mingle with the well to-do at Palazzo Versace with its magnificent waterfront location, opulent furnishings and Italian craftsmanship, plus the innate glamour that can only come from being the vision of late, great fashion designer Gianni Versace.
Rooms are draped in colourful Versace Home furnishings and have private ‘Juliet’ balconies, the resort also features several award-winning restaurants, a Versace boutique (of course!), private marina and pool area complete with cabanas for secluded, glamorous lounging.
If you feel obliged to leave the resort at any stage, the high-end boutiques, cafes and restaurants of Marina Mirage are mere footsteps away, where you can while away a few hours with a drink at one of the sun-kissed waterfront restaurants. Perhaps you’d prefer to take a helicopter tour for a scenic, birds-eye view of the gorgeous coastline, or enjoy a short walk to the Gold Coast Fisherman’s Co-op for some of the freshest seafood you’re ever likely to have.
For the golf lover, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove is a must. Here you’ll have access to Sanctuary Cove’s three golf courses, along with the Sanctuary Cove Country Club and a world-class marina. Located on the northern end of the Gold Coast, ease into a relaxed pace and friendly locals who are enjoying living the good life.
The InterContinental’s lush 4.2 hectares of tropical gardens that surround the resort provide the perfect luxe atmosphere, while fresh interiors with a natural-inspired colour palette make your stay first-class.
Unique features of this property include heritage-style architecture, an idyllic one-acre lagoon beach, and the option to hire a buggy, which provides a fun way to explore the village streets.
If your idea of a holiday is to feel submersed in a refreshing tropical atmosphere, and you relish the idea of waking up to the tranquil sounds of the rainforest,then The Mouses House Rainforest Retreat needs to be on your list!
Located on beautiful Springbrook Mountain, a picturesque 50-minute drive from Coolangatta Airport, each chalet boasts a cabin-in-the-woods essential – yes, a private hot tub – plus homely hardwood furnishings. The Mouses House Rainforest Retreat is a divine spot for a romantic stay, whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, milestone birthday or simply just want to reconnect away from your everyday routine. The only disturbance you’re likely to encounter is from a wayward possum or curious bush turkey!
Make your stay extra-indulgent by pre-booking a delicious food hamper, with options ranging from a simple English-style breakfast hamper to a picnic basket or cheese and fruit platter.
If you like to get out and about, and hiking is your thing, check out O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat set in the Lamington National Park – it’s the jewel among Queensland’s rainforest bushwalking destinations. When it comes time to relax on the high verandah of one of O’Reilly’s villas after a busy day exploring, you’ll be amazed at how clear the sky looks nestled among the refreshing mountain ranges.
Get even closer to nature by sleeping under the stars and enjoy luxe glamping experience to see a different side of the Gold Coast.
Located at one of Queensland’s best-known wineries, Sanctuary by Sirromet is just over an hour’s drive north from Coolangatta Airport and is well worth the journey. Unwind in a tented pavilion that offers a comfortable, stylish alternative to camping while the tranquil bushland setting allows you to reconnect with nature.
Are you ready to switch off all your modern devices, exit the rush of day to day living, and detox from the stressors of modern life? Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Gold Coast’s Tallebudgera Valley is a much-loved wellness retreat that promises everything from weight loss to a restored sense of wellbeing. Book a stay at this all-encompassing health retreat and replenish the mind, body and soul.
While it’s nice to eat out at fancy restaurants when you’re on holiday and have your towels changed daily, sometimes all you really crave is a home-cooked meal and some down-time. For a bit of ‘home’ on your holiday, the Gold Coast has a wide range of self-contained accommodation options.
Elite Holiday Homes are just that – a home away from home. With more than 30 epically-proportioned properties to choose from that look like something you’d find in an interiors magazine. Perfectly positioned between Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach, each home offers a unique, luxury stay, whether you need room for six or 16.
Elite’s homes all feature resort-style facilities including swimming pools, sprawling outdoor entertaining areas and gourmet kitchens. The only struggle is dragging yourself away from home to hit the beach or heading out to explore the Gold Coast’s natural wonders could prove difficult!
When you think of a Gold Coast holiday, you’ve likely pictured waking up to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore.
Make that dream a reality by booking Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise. Perched in the heart of Surfers Paradise, every room offers uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean and the obligatory sandy beaches below. The stunning, tiered resort pool overlooking the beachfront is the real show-stopper at Soul, but guests also have access to an indoor heated lap pool, sauna, steam room and gym. The tempting restaurants and entertainment of the Gold Coast’s famous Cavill Avenue is only a short stroll away.
For a beach holiday reminiscent of simpler times, La Costa Motel fits the bill. Oozing retro 70s vibes, this charming little motel at beautiful Bilinga beach has it all, from comfortable, serviced rooms, to vintage beach cruiser bikes. Guests can grab a bike and cruise along the oceanfront bike path all the way to Coolangatta. You won’t have to go far to enjoy a morning dip in the waves or a take a sunset stroll along the beach – it’s just a one-minute walk at the end of the street.
If you’re visiting the Gold Coast for a festival, like Swell Sculpture Festival or Cooly Rocks On, La Costa Motel makes a great base. Plus, it’s positioned close to Coolangatta airport, making it the ideal spot to stay if you’ve got an early morning flight. They even offer free airport transfers.
A more relaxed sort of waterfront awaits at the Couran Cove Island Resort. Once you’ve accessed the carless island via the resort’s ferry from Mariner’s Cove or by private boat, you’ll discover a seaside-village vibe that makes it a perfect spot for multi-generational family holidays.
Go for a hit of tennis on the resort’s courts, pop a lifejacket on the grandkids and teach them how to kayak or paddleboard in the calm island waters or just unwind with a good book on the beach or the balcony.