Gold Coast

Gold Coast: Hotel reviews

Gold Coast Insider

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Stay, or just perve, at Palazza Versace. (Photo: courtesy of Palazzo Versace)

Stay, or just perve, at Palazzo Versace

Whether you're looking to splash out or keep to a budget, our Insider has the best unbiased Gold Coast hotel info out there.

Sheraton Mirage

OMG. Are we in a James Bond movie? Stunning setting, great food and very nice rooms — especially if you're planning a proposal. This hotel has it. Swanking around this pool is so much fun. Save yourself some bucks by investing in a Starwood discount card beforehand.

Main Beach Tourist Park

Across the road from patrolled beaches, and walking distance to many and varied clubs and restaurants. Pretend to be posh in up-market Main Beach without the price-tag. Chose from cabins or camping with clean, fab amenities. Spend the money you saved on designer bikinis and surf lessons.

GCI (Gold Coast International)

A fab central location with great restaurants and lovely staff. I've scored beach-view rooms every time, but ask ahead to make sure.

Palazzo Versace

If you can't afford to stay, just come to perve. From extraordinary guestrooms to condominium suites, expect a price tag to match the glitz and glamour. Though rooms are a bit small, EVERYTHING is Versace: towels, glasses, sheets, the lot. This is not a room to trash, but it is the room to impress.

Broadwater Tourist Park

With cabins right on gorgeous Broadwater, this is the perfect spot for a low-key holiday. You'll be walking distance to the restaurants of Southport and Labrador. Lots of locals stay here. Bring the fishing rod and a tennis racquet.

Ocean View Hotel

Older than your grandmother, but clean and a great spot. Coolangatta is hugely overpriced generally speaking, so this is great for a family or for somewhere to stay for a night on the town. Right opposite the beach. It won't be here forever! Go retro.

Royal Pines

If you are a golfer, this is heaven on a stick. But there's not much else to do here (apart from tennis, perhaps). The food is pretty good, and the seafood smorgasbord is a favourite with the locals. So yes; play golf, get some lessons and convince your partner that golf is a good thing.

The Polish Place Chalets

This is sweet, romantic getaway territory, and the very private chalets are perched on the side of Tamborine Mountain, offering stunning views. You can dine in the attached restaurant — Polish, of course — or have dinner delivered to your chalet. For fun, blindfold your partner on the trip up here! Consensual kidnapping is okay, isn't it?