With the ubiquitous hues of taupe, blonde, sand and stone populating fine hotels with a softness that almost prods a guest to shout “show me some colour”, QT Gold Coast has hit the spot and bucks the beige trend with a defined pop art palette that sets the style and personality of a hotel that pops with more than fabulous décor.
Walking into the hotel makes stressed shoulders and furrowed brows relax – that’s the immediate vibe. The vast and light-filled foyer encourages guests to linger longer and enjoy the ambience – a little bit funky, a little bit classy and ultimately cool.
Once was, in oldie times the Gold Coast International, the fab QT brand has since stamped its stripes and energy into a property thats origins laid the foundation for the hotel that has put ‘cool’ back into Surfers Paradise.
One side facing the magnificent ocean and beach of this golden stretch and the other side with views to the mountains and hinterland, QT offers up glorious sunrises and equally stunning sunsets.
Waking up to the sparkling ocean and the wonderful golden shades of light on the sentinel buildings lining the coast is something else.
The trademark stripes are spied from the foyer through to umbrellas outside, but before we head out, check out the eating options.
Food for thought
How Bazaar! Bazaar Marketplace on the first floor is where it’s all foodie happening. There’s been a reinvention of hotel dining in this space with dishes made to order or a buffet of copied street food dishes that have the aroma and taste from the Middle East to Latin America . . . and other global destinations. Slow cooked meats and fresh seafood head up the protein parade and the dining experience pulses with gourmet energy.
Incidentally, and this is personal – I have missed the hotel buffet breakfast over the past couple of pandemic years, but brekkie in Bazaar has restored my faith in the morning tradition. The breakfast here is sensational – cross my heart.
The very famous Yamagen restaurant has quite a longevity pride of place on the Gold Coast. By GC standards this restaurant is vintage and has been pleasing palates for more than 30 years. It entered the 21st century in 2017 with a major makeover and refurb but has never lost sight and senses of continuing the tradition of brilliant food – and new to the mix is a fab cocktail menu that stands tall among the imported beers and extensive wine list. The cocktail menu isn’t just there for the sake of current trends, it’s here to complement the cuisine.
The delicacy and refinement of the food served will send you away smiling at the joy of it – and if you’re returning or a first time guest here – book early, 30 years has not dimmed the popularity and the restaurant is filled most nights.
If you choose to do some outdoor eating – by the pool – and it is a sweet striped (smallish) pool indeed – the poolside precinct stars The Spring, which oozes a Palm Springs meets Hawaiian resort vibe. From The Spring all sorts of bubbly fancies are poured and sent to a QT cabana by the pool and snacks from Yamagen and Bazaar are served for poolside indulgence.
Spa time
And as your break at the QT is to chill, you best mosey along to spaQ the spa for those who dare to dream of being rebooted, mentally and physically. The many treatments include a (necessary) relax massage; a concept facial or a vigorous salt scrub. As you are treated and unwinding and checking your credit card – remember – self-care is mandatory after the deprivations of the past two years. (That’s my way of justifying spending.)
QT Gold Coast has certainly put the ‘cool’ back into the Gold Coast, so pack your bags and get ready to shine.
And there’s more . . .
Surfers Paradise is a holiday playground. You can shop, learn to surf, visit one of the tremendous theme parks (with or without the kids); go on a boat trip; go clubbing, there are myriad nightclubs and bars (established and fun pop ups) or simply enjoy the glorious, pristine beaches.
For old school holiday activities play mini golf, or gawk at the wax folk at Ripley’s Believe it or Not.
Cavill Avenue is a 10-minute walk from QT, for cafes, shops and Instagram opportunities.
On Wednesday and Friday there are beachside markets along the esplanade.
Top tip: give The Gold Coast a miss during November. As students in Australia graduate, they land on the Gold Coast like a plague of locusts to indulge in ‘Schoolies’ weeks. Only if you dare!
QT Gold Coast
7 Staghorn Avenue
Surfers Paradise, QLD
qthotels.com
This piece was previously published in Let’s Travel magazine, New Zealand’s premier travel magazine.
Travelgal on the move 
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