Where to Stay in Gold Coast: My Selection of the Best Accommodations

Wondering where to stay on the Gold Coast? Looking for the best areas?

You’re at the right place!

As I know the Gold Coast very well, I have created this guide of:

• Gold Coast’s best areas for your stay (with details about the places to visit and nearby attractions)
• For each area and district, the best hotels depending on your budget

Let’s find your dream hotel now!

My favorite hotels in Gold Coast

Here’s a quick summary of my favorite hotels on the Gold Coast, in case you don’t have time to read my detailed article.

Simply click on the hotel names in orange to access details and rates:

• Where to stay on the Gold Coast for the first time: Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise or voco Gold Coast, both located in Surfers Paradise
• Best 5-star hotel on the Gold Coast: The Langham, Gold Coast and Jewel Residences with direct beachfront access
• Where to stay on the Gold Coast on a budget: Tequila Sunrise Hostel Surfers Paradise
• Where to stay on the Gold Coast with family: Meriton Suites Broadbeach or Sea World Resort & Water Park with free entrance to the famous theme park!
• My favorite hotel on the Gold Coast for a romantic stay: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa for its lagoon pool!

In Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is the iconic heart of the Gold Coast, famous for its high-rise skyline and energetic atmosphere.

Most of the action is centered around Cavill Avenue and the beachfront, making it a lively area.

It’s the best area to discover the city’s main attractions and nightlife.

You should stay in this district:

• For a first time stay
• To explore key landmarks easily, with excellent access to public transport for theme parks.
• If you love going out at night, with countless bars, pubs, and nightclubs.
• For a beach holiday vibe.

This is the perfect area to see:

• Surfers Paradise Beach, the city’s most famous stretch of sand, perfect for swimming and learning to surf.
• SkyPoint Observation Deck, located in the Q1 building, offering 360-degree views of the Gold Coast.
• Cavill Avenue, the main hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
• Beachfront Markets, held several evenings a week, perfect for finding local crafts and souvenirs.
• Infinity Attraction, a fun and futuristic maze of special effects.

Where to Stay in Surfers Paradise?

• Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise: This 5-star hotel offers modern apartments from 110€ with ocean views, just steps from the beach. Strong points: indoor and outdoor pools, a jacuzzi and sauna, and spacious living areas.
• voco Gold Coast: Close to the beach and tram stop. Bright, stylish double rooms from 120€. Strong points: two outdoor swimming pools, great restaurants, excellent location for exploring. A great choice for its excellent value for money on the Gold Coast.
• QT Gold Coast: Just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. Rooms with a unique, quirky design and large windows starting from 180€, breakfast included. Strong points: fantastic pool area, excellent breakfast buffet, fun atmosphere, some rooms have an ocean’s view.
• JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa: A luxurious 5-star resort known for its stunning saltwater lagoon pool with tropical fish. Comfortable and spacious rooms from 270€. Strong points: amazing pool area with a waterslide, multiple restaurants, and excellent service. A fantastic choice for a romantic stay in Surfers Paradise.
• The Langham, Gold Coast and Jewel Residences: This is a 5-star hotel with direct beachfront access. It offers elegant rooms and suites with a fantastic view, starting from 300€. Strong points: beautiful lagoon-style pool with a swim-up bar, an indoor pool, and exceptional fine dining options. The ultimate luxury hotel in Surfers Paradise!

In Broadbeach District

Broadbeach district, just south of Surfers Paradise, is one of the Gold Coast’s most sophisticated and relaxed areas.

This is a more upscale and polished area, with a really great dining scene and beautiful parks.

You should really stay in Broadbeach:

• If you want to do some shopping.
• If you love food, with many of the Gold Coast’s best restaurants and cafes.
• To enjoy a central location that’s a bit quieter than Surfers Paradise.

This district is perfect for discovering:

• Kurrawa Beach, a beautiful and often less crowded beach with a great park and playground.
• The Star Gold Coast, a large complex with a casino, theatre, bars, and restaurants.
• Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, one of Australia’s best shopping destinations with a huge range of stores.
• Local restaurants and cafes, great for tasting modern Australian cuisine.
• The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, which hosts many major events and shows.

Here are my favorite hotels in Broadbeach district

• Dorsett Gold Coast: Connected to The Star casino complex. Modern and sleek double rooms, from 230€. Strong points: beautiful outdoor pool, great location for entertainment, stylish design.
• The Star Grand at The Star Gold Coast: This 5-star hotel is the heart of Broadbeach’s entertainment. It offers elegant rooms with beautiful views. From 280€. Strong points: amazing pool area, fantastic restaurants and bars, top quality service. This is simply the best luxury hotel in Broadbeach!

Where to Stay in Gold Coast on a Budget

If you’re traveling on a budget, here are a few great hotels for a stay in Gold Coast without spending too much:

• Tequila Sunrise Hostel Surfers Paradise: A sociable hostel located a 10-minute walk from the beach. Dorm beds from 45€. Strong points: friendly atmosphere, outdoor terrace, good location for nightlife. An excellent choice for backpackers and solo travelers on a tight budget.
• Mantra Legends Hotel: Right in the heart of Surfers Paradise, only a block from the beach. Double rooms starting from 90€. Strong points: outdoor pool, central location, clean and comfortable rooms.
• Meriton Suites Southport: Located in Southport with easy tram access to Surfers Paradise. Modern studio apartments from 110€. Strong points: fantastic indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi and sauna, well-equipped rooms with kitchenettes. Amazing value for a 5-star apartment-hotel experience just outside the main tourist hub.

Where to Stay in Gold Coast with Family

• Turtle Beach Resort: Just south of Broadbeach. Family apartments for 4 or more from 180€. Strong points: four swimming pools, water park, kids club and cinema.
• Meriton Suites Broadbeach: Located in Broadbeach. Modern and very spacious one, two, or three-bedroom suites with balconies from 200€. Strong points: indoor and outdoor pools, full kitchen and laundry, close to everything. You should really consider this place if you’re traveling to the Gold Coast as a family.
• Q1 Resort & Spa: In Surfers Paradise, inside Australia’s tallest residential tower. Large apartments from 240€. Strong points: huge lagoon-style pools, spacious rooms, incredible views.
• Sea World Resort & Water Park: The official resort of the theme park, located on the Broadwater. Family rooms are available from 270€. Strong points: free unlimited access to the resort’s water park, a huge lagoon pool, and a kids’ club. This is the ultimate choice for a family theme park holiday on the Gold Coast.

What is the best hotel in Gold Coast?

If you are looking for the best hotel in Gold Coast, I recommend you the The Langham, Gold Coast and Jewel Residences

And if you’re looking for something a little more affordable but still luxurious, you should book a night or more at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa

Where to stay in Gold Coast: The best hotels

To give you a better overview of the best hotels in Gold Coast, whether in the city center or elsewhere, I’ve prepared a table summarizing all the ones I talk about in this article.

You can sort them by price or by district!

Hotel	District	Price (from)
Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise	Surfers Paradise	110€
voco Gold Coast	Surfers Paradise	120€
QT Gold Coast	Surfers Paradise	180€
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa	Surfers Paradise	270€
The Langham, Gold Coast and Jewel Residences	Surfers Paradise	300€
Dorsett Gold Coast	Broadbeach District	230€
The Star Grand at The Star Gold Coast	Broadbeach District	280€
Tequila Sunrise Hostel Surfers Paradise	Cheap Hotels	45€
Mantra Legends Hotel	Cheap Hotels	90€
Meriton Suites Southport	Cheap Hotels	110€
Turtle Beach Resort	Hotel for families	180€
Meriton Suites Broadbeach	Hotel for families	200€
Q1 Resort & Spa	Hotel for families	240€
Sea World Resort & Water Park	Hotel for families	270€