WHO VISITS A REIMAGINED ICON
Australia’s very first QT Hotel has a luxe new poolside precinct
It’s a balmy Queensland summer’s day when we arrive at the iconic QT Gold Coast.
Light and airy with pops of colour and signature QT quirk, the Surfers Paradise resort was the first QT hotel in Australia and had been a hit with locals and tourists alike since it opened back in 2011.
Today, we are here to enjoy the hotel’s re-imagined pool landscape, The Spring, complete with a chic pool bar and lively neighbouring lawn and terrace, aptly named The Green.
The luxe new space, the first stage of a hotel-wide refurbishment, was designed by celebrated interior designer Nic Graham and inspired by Palm Springs’ iconic midcentury modern style.
The vibe is relaxed but upbeat with guests of all ages enjoying the famous QT hospitality in the bookable cabanas – which
start at $50 per day – as well as lazing on white sun loungers and monochromatic striped bean bags.
We are shown to our pre-booked cabana and the friendly host informs us our Poolside Cool package ($270 per day) includes bottle service and a bottle of Moët Ice Impérial, mobile spa treatments from the therapists at SpaQ, chilled water in a QT cooler, a fruit platter and a trio of dips. Bliss.
I’m visiting with my sister, Marissa, and we make the most of our child-free time, spending the entire day – I am talking 9am until 5pm – horizontal, sipping Moët and indulging in the new poolside menu, a nostalgic nod to Aussie summers, designed by QT Hotels Director of Culinary, Adam Petta, and QT Gold Coast’s Executive Chef, Greg Benney.
We try the bug and crab rolls followed by Midori Splice popsicles for old time’s sake.
Our therapists arrive to give us an express facial and we giggle like teenagers at the sheer indulgence of being pampered poolside.
Later, we head up to our QT King Suite Ocean View, one of the hotel’s 16 recently refurbished suites.
Opening the door, I am surprised by the impressive size of the space, which is more like a design-led apartment than a hotel room.
There’s a living area, kitchen and bar and a private balcony with views of the northern end of Surfers Paradise Beach. The bedroom has a king-sized bed, a daybed and an ensuite with a shower and my favourite Kevin Murphy products.
The bathtub boasts views of the ocean, which, today, I’m happy just to admire from my stylish digs.