Top picks: Gold Coast stays for any budget

Not sure where to stay on the Gold Coast? No worries! We asked our Gold Coast hotel guru Warren to share his top picks for bargain, plush, and super luxe stays, and, boy, did he deliver. Read on and check ’em out.

Splash-out – $$$

QT Gold Coast
QT Gold Coast is young, fun, and quirky, and its bazaar buffet breakfast is life-changing (and lifesaving after a big GC night out – not that we’d know anything about that). Check out the luxurious spaQ for a full range of indulgent treatments, or chill out in your room with 24/7 gourmet room service and cool mini bars full of fancy snacks and old-school kids’ games.

The Star Gold Coast
Formerly Jupiters casino, the newly refurbed Star is a super luxe stay that’s perfect for when you want a more sophisticated Gold Coast experience. Splash some cash in the casino, catch a movie at the on-site cinema, or get your dance on with JBar and Atrium’s live music. The Star also plays host to shows and concerts, so make sure you check out who’s playing during your stay. Upcoming shows include Hanson’s 25th Anniversary World Tour – omg.

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa
An iconic Gold Coast property, Surfers Paradise Marriott is one of Warren’s favourite Southeast QLD hotels. The lobby’s huge, winding staircase and sparkly chandelier is made for boastful holiday snaps, and the on-site Japanese restaurant (Misono, Australia’s largest – and possibly most entertaining – teppanyaki restaurant) is award-winning. The resort also has its own saltwater lagoon, where guests can swim and snorkel with real tropical fish!

Affordable gem – $$

Watermark Hotel & Spa
One of Wotif’s most popular hotels, the modern and stylish Watermark Hotel is great value and just a 10-minute stroll from Cavill Avenue (with a light rail stop right at the front door). Treat yourself to a delish (and thoroughly decadent) high tea, or splurge on a Chairman or Premier suite for your own private jacuzzi!

Couran Cove Island Resort
A private island getaway that’s just a 15-minute ferry ride from the Gold Coast action? Yes, please! Couran Cove offers a wide range of studios, apartments, eco-cabins, and villas to suit all travellers and budgets, many with awesome marina water views. It’s perfect for families and larger groups, or anyone who wants to chill away from the Cavill Ave chaos.

Mantra on View
Just spitting distance from Surfers Paradise beach (but please don’t try it. ‘Cause ew), the comfy and stylish Mantra on View offers a fantastic location for an equally fantastic price. Have a splash in one of its three sparkling swimming pools (including a dedicated kids’ pool), or treat your tastebuds at NOSH Pan Asian Restaurant. Get dessert, ’cause you’ll totally work it off later at the on-site gym. Yes. Totally.

Bargain pick – $

Chateau Beachside
Whoever came up with the name “Chateau Beachside” wasn’t kidding. Right on the beach, this hotel offers one of Surfers Paradise’s best locations for a seriously bargain price. The Chateau’s handy kitchenettes (all of which include fridges and microwaves), awesome games room, and convenient on-site laundry make it a top pick for families. Not surprisingly, it’s also one of the GC’s most popular bargain stays, so make sure you book ahead.

Greenmount Hotel
Hey, it’s not all about Cavill and Esplanade. For a chilled-out stay away from the GC hustle and bustle, check out the bargain Greenmount Hotel. Located in Coolangatta, the Greenmount Hotel is right on Greenmount Beach and smack on the border of QLD and NSW (which can be kinda weird during daylight savings, when your phone’s time changes every time you cross the road). Check out the on-site waterslide and hot tub!

Broadbeach Savannah Hotel & Resort
Another top choice for families, Broadbeach Savannah has accommodation options for groups of up to six people, as well as accessible studios with bath rails and shower benches. Just a short stroll from The Star and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, it’s also brilliantly located for concerts and retail therapy. Oh, and did we mention the kitchenettes, many of which are newly renovated and include fridges, microwaves, hot plates, and ovens? Yeeep, pretty great.