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The Gold Coast calls everyone from lovers and families to solo travellers seeking surf and sun to its doorstep.
This hot tourist destination knows how to pull out all the stops. There are resorts up and down the coastline with water views and infinity pools to make your holiday the most memorable one yet.
After a long day splashing in the water or hitting the many theme parks that dot the Gold Coast, settle into the day spa and take in the ocean views. Or, for something a little more private, relax on your balcony with a glass of wine and skyline views. If you love a little activity, a full golf course and a tennis court are right in your backyard.
Star rating: 5-stars Cost: Mid-range
Luxurious features: Day spa, beauty centre, tennis courts, salon, jacuzzi, outdoor pool and children's pool and waterpark.
Why do we love it? It's less than a six-minute drive to Metricon Stadium (formally Carrara Stadium), making it a fantastic home base for those visiting for a sports or entertainment event.
Stay close to all the marine park action at Sea World Resort. It's attached to the theme park though there's enough entertainment at the resort to satisfy families of all sizes. Think in-resort waterpark, dancing waterpark light shows, SpongeBob visits, games room and kid-friendly buffet.
Star rating: 4.5-stars
Cost: Mid-range
Luxurious features: Waterpark, swimming pool, kids' club, sauna and in-house restaurants and cafes.
Why do we love it? Stays are typically bundled in with unlimited access to Sea World, with a special backdoor entrance to let you skip the queues and get to the fun that much faster.
Be transported to Milan, fashion capital of Italy where the rooms are adorned with high ceilings and ornamental chandeliers and the pools are decadent with cabanas and palm trees. This is one for special occasions.
Star rating: 5 stars
Cost: High-end
Luxurious features: Award-winning restaurants, exclusive waterfront setting, day spa, fitness centre, private marina and a winter salon cabana experience.
Why do we love it? Fans of the high-end brand will notice the not-very-subtle Versace furnishings and appreciate the Italian craftsmanship throughout the resort.
With the sandy shores of Mirage Beach as your front yard and Marina Mirage in your backyard a stay at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort guarantees you only the best water views. In fact, it's officially Gold Coast's only 5-star absolute beachfront resort. Spoil yourself.
Star rating: 5-stars
Cost: Mid-range
Luxurious features: Lagoons, tropical gardens, beachfront access, resort pools, swim-up bar and a skybridge connection to Marina Mirage shopping precinct.
Why do we love it? Owing to its location on the narrow Southport Spit, the Sheraton Grand Mirage is surrounded by water and beach and spills out right onto the beach.
Treat yourself to all the views while maintaining all the creature comforts of apartment-style accommodation at Rhapsody Resort. Book an ocean-view room to wake up to the sunset over the beach and polish your day off at the bar or infinity pool.
Star rating: 4-stars
Cost: Mid-range
Luxurious features: Residents lounge, outdoor sun terrace, gym with ocean views, rooftop garden terrace, massage and wellbeing treatments.
Why do we love it? Road tripping? Rhapsody Resort offers all guests free private parking.
There's nothing better than a comfortable bed after a busy day on the water at Surfers Paradise Beach or riding roller coasters at Dreamworld. That's what Pacific View offers alongside spacious apartments fit for families big and small.
Star rating: 4-star
Cost: High-end
Luxurious features: Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis court, sauna and garden.
Why do we love it? Conveniently located on Main Beach, you won't have to travel far between room and beach, which is a godsend when you have children to pack up
Relaxation at the forefront of your resort getaway? You can't do better than Q1. Its day spa is worth the stay alone. And, as the tallest residential resort tower on the Gold Coast, you're guaranteed the best view in the house.
Star rating: 4-stars
Cost: High-end
Luxurious features: Outdoor pool, in-house resort, observation deck, sauna and waterfall pool.
Why do we love it? Thrillseekers can book themselves in for a SkyPoint Observation Deck Climb, which is 270 metres above sea level and boasts 360-degree views of the Gold Coast region.
Situated on the doorstep of Surfers Paradise Beach, Peppers has apartment-style accommodation with million-dollar views. The ocean-view rooms from levels 50 and above serve up postcard views and generously sized balconies.
Star rating: 5-stars
Cost: High-end
Luxurious features: Indoor and outdoor pools, gym, garden and in-house restaurant.
Why do we love it? On top of its fantastic location, this family-friendly resort has a wide variety of rooms that can accommodate two to nine guests.
Prepare to get lost in this mammoth property. Within its 4.2 acres are lush tropical gardens and event spaces, including a wedding chapel – because who wouldn't want to say "I do" in a place like this?
Star rating: 5-stars
Cost: Mid-range
Luxurious features: Outdoor pool, nearby golf course, groomed gardens with water fountain features and a one-acre lagoon.
Why do we love it? This resort is home to Queensland's first high-coffee experience, which puts a twist on high teas by exchanging one hot caffeinated drink for another. For a cheekier option, cocktails such as Espresso Martinis are also available.
There's so much fun under this roof you won't be able to wipe the smiles off their cute little faces. Think water parks, ice rinks and colourful rooms with bunk beds – and all within a short walk from the beach.
Star rating: 3-stars
Cost: Mid-range
Luxurious features: Kids' club, private balconies for every resort room, adults-only bar and pool deck, ice skating rink and water park.
Why do we love it? There are events going on all the time, including poolside movies, family bingo and trivia.
For costs, low-range is for stays under $100, mid-range is for stays $100-200 and high-end is for stays $200+.
Where should I stay on the Gold Coast for resort-style accommodation?
Surfers Paradise: This is the hub of activity and also where the majority of the Gold Coast's luxury resorts are. Stick to waterfront resorts for panoramic beach and ocean views or move a few blocks inwards for budget-friendly stays a short walk from the sand and surf.
Main Beach: Active holidaymaker? Main Beach is right on the doorstep of Sea World and Mariner's Cove Marina where you can sign up for numerous watersports including jetskiing, parasailing and jetboating.
Broadbeach: Just south of Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach is its less touristic sister. It's still got the luxury hotels and beachfront access but doesn't have as much nightlife. It's also close to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for those on a shopping trip or in town on business.
Burleigh Heads and Mermaid Beach: Less busy than Surfers Paradise and Main Beach, these spots are ideal for anyone looking to spread out on the sands. They're also hotspots for surfers seeking to carve out some waves.
Gold Coast Hinterland: For a romantic getaway of a different kind, head inland to the Gold Coast Hinterland. Here you'll discover luxury resorts wrapped in tranquility and are moments from forest hikes.
What are the best family resorts on the Gold Coast?
According to TripAdvisor, the following are some of the best-rated resorts on the Gold Coast:
Resort packages bundle your accommodation with extras such as experience passes and meals to make your planning a breeze. You can either purchase packages through the resort direct or through holiday package websites such as Luxury Escapes, MyQueensland and TravelOnline.
Up to 33% off Sea World Resort and Water Park stays with park entry
Available for stays until 30 April 2021 with packages available to include entry to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast and Paradise Country during your stay.
Australia stays from $95/night + Extra 10% off for members
Available on stays up until 13 months from the booking date. Destinations include Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Uluru and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select stay dates in Adelaide, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and more. Sample stay is in Millicent, South Australia. T&Cs apply.
Up to 50% off room upgrades + free breakfast on stays
Available on upgrades to premium rooms and suites on stays until 30 April 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast, New Zealand, Fiji and more.
Plus get up to 19% off stays from 6 January - 30 June 2021 when you spend a minimum of $250. Destinations include Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Whitsundays, Townsville and more. Exclusive for Trip.com members. Membership is free. T&Cs apply.
Available on stays until 2021 in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Melbourne and more. Sample fare is for a private room in Victoria. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates until December 2021, including over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select stay dates on Express Deals. Destinations include Sydney, Adelaide, Byron Bay, Thredbo Vollage, Sunshine Coast, Jindabyne, Perth, Gold Coast and more.
Available on select stay dates when you book 60+ days in advance. Destinations include Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Darwin and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on stays from 25 January - 1 March 2021 when you spend a minimum of $150. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates in 2021. Destinations include Surfers Paradise and more. Includes free cancellation, reserve and pay later and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select stay dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Darwin, Canberra and more. Sample rate is for a stay at Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort in Cairns. T&Cs apply.
Available on select stay dates. Destinations include North Queensland, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast and more. Sample stay is at ibis Styles Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
From picturesque coastal locations to luxurious cabins, these are the caravan parks in Normanville that are worth securing way in advance of your getaway.
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