Urban List Travel

Just 200 metres from the beach, The Shores Miami is a masterclass in retro cool meets coastal luxury.

Queensland's first TRYP by Wyndham hotel has officially opened in Southport as part of the impressive $3.8 billion Imperial Square development.

Breathtaking Northern Rivers hotel Raes on Wategos will expand its footprint to a second property in late 2024, taking over the former Victoria’s at Wategos site less than 100 metres away from the beachfront icon.

Hot on the heels of several new hotel openings in Byron Bay, Basq House is a private oasis in the heart of the village centre, complete with a temperature-controlled magnesium pool, a rooftop retreat, and stunning interiors. 

Pethers Rainforest Retreat brings new meaning to the phrase 'romantic escape'; here you'll find ten sprawling and luxurious treehouses nestled away on five hectares of lush rainforest. If privacy and peaceful seclusion is what you're after, Pethers has it in spades.

Nostalgic charm meets modern luxe at the Gold Coast’s newest boutique accommodation, 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. 

Imperial Hotel Gold Coast marks a new era for luxury hotels on the Gold Coast, with the newly renamed high-end hotel based on the site of the former iconic Palazzo Versace. 

Drift into relaxation aboard Queensland’s first luxury floating hotel, Drift Flotel. Step aboard the luxurious three-storey, 12 metre vessel and you’ll soon feel like you’re floating away on some far tropical nirvana. The grandly furnished space features everything you’d expect from a fully self-contained luxury house, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an expansive kitchen and lounge room, a wraparound deck and stunning rooftop terrace, which is perfect for downing a few cocktails while watching the sunset.

The Surf House is Byron Bay’s brand new boutique hostel, complete with the town’s first and only open air rooftop bar. No lie. 

Located on Mount Tamborine, Songbirds Rainforest Retreat is up there with the best. Surrounded by tropical forest and more birds than your birdsong app will recognise, six rustic yet totally snuggle-worthy cabins come complete with a king sized bed, spa bath overlooking the trees, floor to ceiling windows, mini bar and tasty breakfast hamper delivered direct to your door each morning.

A super private hacienda set in the Byron Hinterland that sleeps up to nine guests, Temple Farmhouse oozes charm with a touch of global spice. With intimate outdoor areas for that stylish soiree complete with oversized outdoor troths to bath in, this property is as authentic as it is chic. The added touches and detail are what make this property special, like the quirky handmade cubby house and chook pen. A magical place that embraces its natural surrounds and where you’ll often find kangaroos roaming the property, Temple Farmhouse is one of the finest Airbnbs in Byron Bay.

Located high in the lush Gold Coast Hinterland is the famous Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat. Offering the perfect balance of fitness, nutrition and heavenly rest, Gwinganna will soothe your soul—just what the doctor ordered. A picture-perfect infinity pool overlooking the hinterland hills and ocean is a great place to spend your afternoon after a day of spa pampering.

This boutique bed and breakfast, set on 28 acres, is the ultimate weekend getaway just an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast. The sprawling property, beautifully framed in acres of lush rainforest, comprises of three private pavilions. Each is thoughtfully fitted out with the latest environmentally sustainable energy saving 20kW solar system as well as modern luxuries, designed to ensure you unwind and zen out. Added features include a sauna, 10-metre mineral magnesium infinity pool and the option for a dreamy massage. 

The second you step inside Voco you’ll feel a sense of calm—which is ironic given its amazing location right in the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise. That’s probably down to its recent makeover which has breathed new life into the building—crisp white furnishings and touches of nautical navy and pops of fresh yellow. It’s coastal chic and we’re digging it. 

Who doesn’t love a little staycation? After all, we really do live in the best city in the world. So, if you’re looking for some local r & r or you’re an out-of-towner thinking of visiting the gorgeous Gold Coast, you’re going to want to check in to the new Pink Hotel Coolangatta. 

It may be across the road from the airport, but this cute AF beach shack style motel will have you forgetting about the plane noise in no time. Situated a hop, skip and a jump to the barely touched, squeaky clean sands of Bilinga Beach, and smack bang in the middle of Kirra and Tugun, you won’t know where to take the free bicycles to first. La Costa has a retro and nostalgic feel with the white picket fence and colourful deck chairs and umbrellas in the courtyard, while the rooms are beautifully simple and have everything you need for a comfortable vacay (and yes they include a minibar if you forget to grab something for a night cap). A short stroll to Mervyn Roy’s for your morning cup of joe and freshly baked scones and then watching the sun rise over the sea, followed by a mid morning acai (from our favs at Niche and Co) will make you never want to leave.

The arrival of Azure Spa & Fitness is another final piece of the puzzle in The Star Gold Coast’s staggering transformation. Quickly taking its place among the best day spas on the Gold Coast, step past the doors and be transported to a tranquil oasis. Choose from an indulgent treatment menu including luxe facials and massage to signature body treatments, manis and pedis, plus offerings just for the gents. With seven treatment rooms at the ready, guests are welcome to take advantage of the high-tech fitness room and sprawling resort pool to extend their experience.

Husk Distillers, a humble Northern Rivers NSW family-owned and operated business, once happily serviced their market out of a backyard shed on their fertile cane and cattle farm. Exploding in popularity thanks to their iconic Ink Gin brand, they're Australia’s first paddock to bottle Agricole rum distillery, which means it’s made from freshly crushed sugar cane juice, instead of molasses. 

There’s a lot to love about The Island, Gold Coast's newest boutique hotel offering. From the stylish reception area with its eclectic mix of classic couches and leather armchairs, lamps and blonde timber detailing, to the functional hotel rooms and suites with their vogue colour scheme, matte black bathroom fixtures and city and ocean views. 

QT Gold Coast is sassy, youthful and one of a kind. Whether it’s the vintage panel van with longboards strapped to the roof that’s parked in the drive, the retro outfits worn by the friendly concierge staff, the complimentary iced tea and homemade lemonade station, or the sunny courtyard and pool that beckons through the foyer’s massive windows.

We’re head over heels crushing on Bon Sol, a stunning boutique property in Burleigh Heads that is the perfect base for a weekend of relaxation, morning cafe hangs and restaurant hopping alongside the chill locals.

Why just stay anywhere, when you can check into a plush executive suite, and shimmy between multiple restaurants and one of the best day-drinking spots on the Gold Coast (AKA Garden Kitchen & Bar) without having to walk out the front door? The Star Gold Coast is well stacked in both the foodie and drinks department, so come prepared for dumplings at Mei Wei, Italian-inspired cuisine at Cucino Vino or sushi at Kiyomi, The Star’s signature Japanese restaurant. 

If it’s ocean views, heated indoor pools and a French bistro-style restaurant that you’re after, Sofitel has got you covered. Everything about this place is super modern, with a touch of fancy. Oh and did we mention the views?! Even if you’re only a few floors up, the 360-degree sweeping balcony panoramas of Broadbeach and beyond are enough to whisk you straight into holiday mode. 

From the iconic palm trees that frame this all-white vintage palace-style hotel, to the prime waterfront location, you can’t go past Palazzo Versace for the ultimate luxury getaway on the Gold Coast. Wake up in your condo overlooking Main Beach and stroll over to Il Barocco for an Italian buffet breakfast, with unlimited coffee. Follow that with a dip in the 63-metre pool and then top it all off with a massage at the spa on the rooftop terrace.