I’ve been to the Gold Coast many, many times over the last 30 odd years and stayed at so many places I’ve lost count. Last week I stayed somewhere different which truly blew my mind: the QT Hotel in Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise.
One quality which I believe defines a great hotel is its ability to do little things to delight and surprise guests – the QT Gold Coast does not disappoint.
With the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games just around the corner, if you’re looking for a chic place to stay within walking distance of Cavill Avenue and the stunning beaches of Surfers and Main Beach, this is it.
Here are 14 reasons why I think the QT Gold Coast is the coolest, hippest place to stay in Surfers Paradise:
1) There’s a cool car out front
The cool retro feel of the Gold Coast’s 1950s golden years are set as soon as you arrive. This iconic pastel blue Holden – complete with surfboards on the roof – sits outside the entrance of the hotel.
2) There’s free soda in reception
I cannot tell you how welcome this sight will be for you when you come back into the hotel on a hot day, of which there are many in Queensland! Cute soda bottles with striped straws are available for you to fill up with either Lemonade or Ice Tea from mid morning until early afternoon.
3) Beautiful decor everywhere
The QT Gold Coast boasts beautiful decor throughout the entire building. Wander around the reception, spa, pool, restaurants and chill areas and you will see for yourself.
Beautifully designed hotel with chic decor – QT Gold Coast
4) The lifts
Every lift you get into has its own unique character, literally! You will have to discover this for yourself 🙂
5) Staff uniforms
The staff uniforms are just as quirky as the rest of the QT Hotel – whether it’s board shorts and polos for the guys, light pastels for the ladies in the restaurant or this amazing outfit worn by one of the reception staff.
6) King ocean view room is amazing
The beautiful design of the reception area flows through to the room with colourful, retro design elements. The king ocean room was huge, with a lounge area, balcony, large double room and a large bathroom with a bath and separate rain shower. Every room boasted stunning views over the surrounding area.
7) Good coffee
Considering Australia is one of the coffee-loving places on the planet, I have been surprised a few times lately when staying at other hotels in Australia to find they only have instant coffee sachets in the room. At the QT, not only was there was a Nespresso pod machine in my room, there was also a milk frother! Pods were stocked up every day and I never once got to nearing the end of my supply over the three days I stayed.
8) Mmm… chocolates
After a busy afternoon climbing the Q1 Tower a couple of kilometres to the south, I came back to my room to find a hand written note with a tray of chocolates and macaroons – yum!
9) Lemonade kit
On a table next to the sofa in the lounge area was a jug with glasses. If you fancy a nice refreshing jug of lemonade in your room, all you need to do is give reception a call and they will bring a lemonade kit up to you – a perfect companion as you sit out on the balcony enjoying stunning views of the pool and the beach.
10) Breakfast is amazing
The range of foods available at breakfast is incredible – there’s a range of fruit juices in those cute bottles, yoghurt and museli in glass pots, danishes, cooked breakfast, lots of fresh, you name it!
11) Dinner buffet
The dinner buffet in Bazaar restaurant is just as sumptuous as breakfast with a huge range of food for you to try. I couldn’t pass up the Sydney rock oysters before moving on to the succulent flame grilled steak with a side of salad and butter chicken. The dessert range was out of this world, I only wish I could’ve tried more!
12) There’s lots of cool areas to hang out in
13) QT has its own bar / night club
There’s no need to walk down to Cavill Avenue, QT has its own bar / night club on the ground floor near reception.
14) Spa and steam room
Need some pampering? Head to the first floor where the staff at SpaQ will take care of you. I indulged in an invigorating thermal massage with red pepper oil. Make sure you try the steam bath afterwards – it has a built-in cold water rain shower to cool you down. When you’re hot and steamy again, rubbing the supplied ice shavings over your body will improve circulation. Relax afterwards by sipping herbal tea in the chill room overlooking the pool.
