WHO VISITS: QT Gold Coast
LIKE QT Hotels & Resorts' other personality-driven properties around Australia and New Zealand, QT Gold Coast very much pays tribute its coastal locale.
While the luxury hotel brand's Melbourne and Sydney properties are industrial and dramatic respectively, the South East Queensland offering, located a stone’s throw from the iconic Surfers Paradise beach, is light, bright and sassy.
We arrive in the early afternoon with our two little boys in tow and they are instantly delighted by the vintage panel van with surfboards on the roof, and the branded Kombi parked in the drive, as well as the complimentary homemade lemonade station in the vibrant lobby.
After a fast check-in, we head up to our Ocean View Twin Room with sweeping views of the beach, two Queen beds, a kitchenette and bathroom with Malin Goetz amenities.
The room also looks over the pool area and a mere glimpse of the water has the boys in an excited frenzy, so we change and head down for a dip.
The pool is smaller than I expected and there are a host of children, as well as couples and groups of all ages, enjoying the pool and glorious Gold Coast sunshine on sun lounges spread around the pool deck.
The pool bar is open and the tunes are pumping, so we enjoy a dip with the boys and a cheeky margarita. It's all about balance, right?
Although dinner at the hotel's lauded izakaya-style Japanese restaurant Yamagen would have been our choice sans kids, we later opt for room service and a movie with our waterlogged, tired boys instead.
The following morning, after a light breakfast at Bazaar restaurant, we hit the beach for a morning swim and then spend a few more hours at the pool before heading upstairs and dressing for QT’s famous Bazaar Brunch.
To be honest, I am not usually one for buffet dining but this was more of a marketplace-style foodie experience and definitely one of the highlights of our stay.
There is a selection dishes made to order as well as slow-roasted meats, fresh seafood, dumplings and fried chicken and waffles at various stations. The boys loved making their own Acai bowls while the made-to-order crepes were also a favourite.
For those after a leisurely brunch experience, there’s an option for bottomless mimosas for an extra $25.
The boys were beside themselves when they caught sight of the chocolate fondue station with a huge selection of sweet treats. Hello, sugar high.
Needless to say, we later checked out in true Gold Coast laid-back mode with full bellies and happy hearts.
