Gold Coasts dot the globe -- you can find places by that name in Chicago and Hong Kong, West Africa and Uruguay. But perhaps none are as iconic as Gold Coast, Australia. The Queensland coastal region and its beautiful beaches are so renowned, they draw millions of domestic and international visitors every year. For travelers seeking luxurious accommodations in the legendary destination, these six resorts are the gold standard.
The 200-room Palazzo Versace's waterfront location with a private marina is just about as fashionable as its name, pedigree, and interiors. Room designs are true to the Versace brand, with rich plum or yellow fabrics, lovely crisscrossed parquet floors, white molding and Juliet balconies. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, tea kettles, and plush bathrobes and slippers. The exclusive five-pearl hotel takes poolside lounging to a luxurious level. Its lagoon pool meanders through the property, past cabanas -- with picnic and drink service -- and Versace-stamped umbrellas on a man-made sandy shore. The spa provides all of the standard pampering services and an indoor pool. However, there is limited dining near the hotel and on-site options get mixed reviews.
What sets Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast apart from its competition in Main Beach -- including nearby Palazzo Versace -- is its access to an exclusive (and lifeguarded) white-sand beach. Sheraton's 293 rooms are stylish, but feel less grand and more corporate than the ones at Palazzo. All have minibars, bathrobes and slippers, and turndown service, and some have ocean views or poolside terraces. Unlike Palazzo, in-room Wi-Fi costs a fee, though it's free for hotel loyalty members. Hotel features are almost as impressive as the beach access: they include an enormous pool complex that seems to go on forever and a spa with outdoor tennis courts, a gym, lap pool, saunas and steam rooms, and Vichy showers. Two seafood restaurants overlooking the pool are actually more modern and fresh-feeling than the dining options at Palazzo, though Palazzo is still our number-one pick for its opulent designs and distinct Versace-branded concept.
RACV Royal Pines Resort is housed in a 21-floor building overlooking an expanse of golf course and gardens, a 15-minute drive from Surfers Paradise. Standard in-room amenities include minibars, air-conditioning, coffee- and tea-making facilities, flat-screen TVs with cable, and bathrooms stocked with l'Occitane products. The facilities are particularly noteworthy and include a 27-hole PGA golf course, a large lagoon pool, a spa with a salon (though it lacks the sauna, steam room, and Vichy showers found at Sheraton), and plenty of drinking and dining options. Sheraton's biggest advantage over RACV is the fact that it is on the beach, and RACV is 15 minutes inland.
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa has a grand and classy traditional style full of sandy colors, palm trees, and artistic touches. Located just outside the busy center of Surfers Paradise, the upscale hotel has a beautifully finished lobby, extensive pool area, and 216 fresh rooms and suites, all with balconies overlooking the river or ocean. The resort's well-landscaped outdoor area features tennis courts, whirlpools, a swimming pool, a sandy-beach lagoon pool with waterfalls, and a seasonal poolside bar. Marriott's gym is well equipped, but not as impressive as RACV's, though the spas at both properties offer salon services. Marriott's buffet restaurant specializes in local seafood, and its Japanese steakhouse has its own sake bar.
Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences is a modern high-rise hotel with upscale chain features for all types of travelers. The main restaurant has an outstanding wine list, and other dining options include a cafe, poolside bar, and lounge bar. Two outdoor pools are sleek and streamlined (as opposed to the lagoon-style pools at Marriott) and there is also an indoor pool with adjacent hot tub. The attractive and bright Eforea Spa offers Vichy showers and a complete line of spa services, but it's not open every day. Hilton's contemporary rooms have great beds and huge bathrooms, but they're not as sumptuous as the ones at Marriott. And while Marriott offers free Wi-Fi throughout, Hilton charges for Wi-Fi usage in many of its rooms.
This upscale resort by the shore is one of the most popular places to stay in Broadbeach. All 177 of its suites and apartments come with private balconies and lovely kitchens complete with gas stoves and high-end appliances. Though it lacks a spa or on-site dining options (found at every other hotel on this list), Peppers features include a lovely outdoor pool with a lagoon and lap section, plus a modern fitness center with sauna and steam facilities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, which is unusual in Australia, though it is limited to one device per room.