The Gold Coast punches well above its weight when it comes to dishing up top-tier accommodation, but don’t just take our word for it—it’s time you spent a weekend in our pocket of paradise. Whether you’re here for a vacay or just a relaxing staycay you’ll need a place to rest your head.
The Urban List team has done the hard work and slept around, so we guarantee the best Gold Coast/Yugambeh language region accommodation will have you whipping out your credit card ASAP and stocking up on the essentials. And by essentials, we mean wine, lots of wine. Here's just a snapshot of 14 of the Gold Coast's best accommodation in 2024—check out the full accommodation lists below.
Best Hotels & Motels On The Gold Coast
qtQT Cabins
7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: qtQT | Supplied
The Gold Coast's newest accommodation experience has just been unveiled and to say it's unique is an understatement. qtQT is a one-of-a-kind stay experience; an open-air, rooftop urban oasis hidden in the heart of Surfers Paradise with six luxury cabins which will make you feel like you've been whisked away to a tropical sanctuary. Sounds mysterious? It is.
The intimate qtQT cabins each feature a private balcony, ultra-luxe amenities and can accommodate two guests, all set within a lush green oasis. qtQT sets itself leagues apart from other Gold Coast accommodation with its curated experiences—you're not just staying in a hotel, you're designing your dream stay. Your personal 'Curator of Sunshine' will help you design your perfect retreat, with bespoke activities including the likes of rooftop yoga, sushi making and whisky tasting at Yamagen, and an exclusive SpaQ package.
The Cheshire Cat Motel
1005 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Cheshire Cat Motel | Andy Macpherson
Nostalgic charm meets modern luxe at the Gold Coast’s newest boutique motel, The Cheshire Cat Motel. The freshly renovated motel nestled in Palm Beach has a new lease on life, while paying homage to its roots as one of the Gold Coast’s original motels built in the 1960’s.
The Palm Springs-inspired beachfront property is an ode to the bygone era of quintessential motel culture, but it’s certainly not like any motel you’ve been to before. Boasting seven rooms—each uniquely designed—and one two-bedroom bungalow, a plunge pool, a pool deck lined with lush greenery and cacti and a communal co-working terrace space, the Cheshire Cat Motel has ‘lush beachside holiday’ written all over it.
Blue Water Motel
129 Kingscliff St, Kingscliff NSW 2487
Image Credit: Blue Water Motel | Supplied
Just steps from Kingscliff Beach, Blue Water Motel is a stunning new-look boutique motel which we've already fallen in love with. Inspired by the laid-back, relaxed vibe of Kingscliff and with just a touch of retro cool, this 60's style boutique motel is a like luxury stay, without the premium price tag.
Home to 17 uniquely designed rooms, Blue Water Motel also boasts a saltwater swimming pool, bike hire and it's dog friendly, so no one has to miss out. This re-imagined nostaglic motel is casual, cool, and is the exactly where you want to be for your next family getaway, romantic trip, or honestly, any holiday. Once you venture inside, you'll feel the relaxing vibes wash over you, and you might just never want to leave.
The Pink Hotel
171 Griffith St, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Image Credit: The Pink Hotel | Supplied
If the 'gram-worthy factor rates highly on your list of pros when looking for Gold Coast accomodation, then we've found the ultimate digs for you. Located on uber-cool Cooly beach, you can't miss this candy-pink hue hotel. The Pink Hotel boasts 17 stunning rooms, six of which are luxury suites each with its own identity. They're a mix of rockstar and retro-chic with a subtle touch of Scandi. Expect bright pops of colour mixed with dusty jewel tones.
There’s fur throws, velvet rugs, custom neon-lit poetry by Coco Loberg and Smeg fridges stocked with Young Henry’s beers. When you’re ready to catch some rays, head on upstairs to the rooftop where cabana beds await you, oh and some of the most incredible views of the coastline. Thirsty? Their rooftop bar Santeria will keep you refreshed with cocktails aplenty. Our top pick for the Gold Coast’s most Instagrammable hotel.
JW Marriott Resort
158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: JW Marriott | Supplied
JW Marriott in Surfers Paradise undertook massive renovations in 2020—$35 million dollars' worth to be exact. So what does a $35 million-dollars refurbishment look like? Well, we’re talking a total refresh of the 223 rooms and suites, as well as the Marriott’s two original restaurants, the lobby lounge and bar and pool bar.
JW Marriott's signature teppanyaki restaurant, Misono, showcases Japanese-inspired dining experiences, including an intimate izakaya, tearoom, sushi bar and a Japanese whisky bar with a stunning new outdoor terrace—we’ll happily confirm that sipping Japanese whiskey while staring out into a Surfers Paradise sunset never gets old. Citrique, the Marriott's main restaurant, features a new interactive show kitchen, placing locally sourced produce and seafood at the heart of its sublime daily menu. Stop the search for one of the Gold Coast's top hotels, 'cause you've found it.
Book here.
Q1 Resort & Spa
9 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Q1 Resort & Spa | Booking.com
If you’re going to holiday in Surfers, you might as well go big, and it doesn’t get much bigger than the iconic—and 230 metre high—Q1 Resort & Spa. Australia’s tallest residential tower boasts state-of-the-art, self-contained apartments, capturing breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, the sparkling lights of the city and the lush green of the hinterland.
Level up the luxury and unwind at one of their three swimming pools, or indulge at the award-winning day spa. Hungry? They’ve got you covered there too with Osaka Kaiten for high-end Japanese cuisine or the Seventy7 Cafe for memorable sky-high dining. If you’re feeling adventurous, conquer the Skypoint Observation Deck Climb, which is Australia’s highest external building climb and boasts 360-degree panoramic views from a staggering 270 metres above sea level.
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Best Luxury Hotels On The Gold Coast
The Langham Gold Coast
38 Old Burleigh Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: The Langham | Supplied
The Langham towers high like a shining spire as the tallest of the three eye-catching Jewel Towers in Surfers Paradise. Boasting 17 different types of elegant rooms and suites, direct beachfront access, panoramic ocean views and stunning Hinterland views, The Langham, Gold Coast offers an unprecedented level of five-star accommodation on the Gold Coast.
The grand 339-room luxury destination is also the first hotel with direct beachfront access to be built on the Gold Coast in more than 30 years. The Langham is home to grandeur facilities including a lagoon-style beachfront pool with a swim-up pool bar and spa, a holistic Chinese medicine-inspired wellness spa, a state-of-the-art health club and six dining and bar venues.
Dorsett Gold Coast
5 The Darling Ave, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: The Dorsett | Supplied
Dorsett Gold Coast is Australia’s first Dorsett hotel, so when it opened its doors in December 2021, it’s safe to say it made a splash. Located within The Star, the stylish Dorsett boasts 313 chic hotel rooms all decked out with top-of-the-range appliances, sweeping coastline, ocean and Hinterland views and king beds in every room. If you don’t get excited about a king bed, you need to rethink your priorities.
While the rooms are certainly impressive, it’s Dorsett’s hotel features and location that secures it as one of the Gold Coast’s best hotels. You’ll have exclusive access to Isoletto Pool Club, a heated 12-metre rooftop infinity pool, direct connection to The Star and all its venues and the hotel’s Level 19 Executive VIP Lounge. We love that all of the hotel’s impressive artworks are designed by Gold Coast locals.
The Darling
1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: The Darling | Brooke Darling Photography
A pretty special place worth saving your pennies for and treating a darling in your life, this hotel is luxury at its finest, boasting six fanciful stars. The Darling is located at the front of The Star Gold Coast, 17 stories high in the sky, right in the heart of Broadbeach. Get this—the deluxe suites have the choice of billiard rooms, a karaoke room or a private gym plus a butler.
As if you wouldn’t already be feeling pretty lucky to be staying here, there is a bridge adjoining the hotel to the casino. The infinity pool is also worth a special mention because it juts out 5 metres from the side of the building and is 67 metres above the ground with spectacular views of the coastline. You won’t have to leave your perch in the sky with Nineteen at The Star proving a delight to your senses, and most importantly, those taste buds. A stay here should be added to your wish list. Dreams are free right?
Rolling Seas Bilinga
Bilinga
Image Credit: Rolling Seas Bilinga | Supplied
While this exquisite stay isn't technically a hotel, it certainly fits into the 'luxury' category, establishing itself as one of the Gold Coast's best luxury beachfront accommodation options. Located on the pristine shores of Bilinga beach and promising utmost privacy, Rolling Seas Bilinga is a sprawling beachside mansion where the dream of European summer coalesces with the reality of the Gold Coast’s famed laidback lifestyle.
Accommodating up to 12 guests, it is a sophisticated yet playful space that strikes the perfect balance between cosy and luxe; comfortable and covetable. Rolling Seas is comprised of two direct beachfront villas—The Residence and The Cottage—with a mix of communal and private living, an infinity pool, wellness room, sunken dining room, full kitchen and more.
Best Glamping Spots On The Gold Coast
Nightfall
Lamington National Park
Image Credit: Tourism & Events QLD | Supplied
If you're looking for a truly luxurious glamping experience close to home, Nightfall Glamping has nailed glamping with the perfect combination of secluded wilderness and wholesome luxuries. In summer, you can open your canvas walls (don’t worry, there’s still mesh for the bugs) to relish in the surrounding rainforests.
While in winter you can keep it intimately closed, spending your eves relaxing in the free-standing bath or curling up around the fireplace. Next, there are the finer details of each tent—elements like hand-carved stone basins, smooth wire-brushed timber floors, and lush organic bedding elevate luxury to new and lofty heights. If you want to go next-level luxury glamping, you can opt for organic catering which basically means more time to enjoy the private natural spa pools, lazy hammocks, explorations into the tangled forest, or—wait for it—an outdoor massage by the creek.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out:
- Best Gold Coast Hinterland Accommodation
- Best Family-Friendly Accommodation
- Best Pet-Friendly Accommodation
Main image credit: The Langham Gold Coast | Supplied
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