JW Marriott Gold Coast
This family break is all about sun, sand and staying put, writes Kirsten Galliott.
Australia does the beach like nowhere else. But the Balinese-style resort, where you while away a day by the pool with food and drinks on tap? Not so much.
Enter the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa (marriott.com.au) in Surfers Paradise.
Yes, I know. Surfers Paradise. Where the apartments are sky-high, the bars are pulsing and the waves are epic. But here, on the northern end of the strip, lies another sort of paradise. It’s five-star, it’s relaxed and it’s incredibly family-friendly.
It’s the kind of place where the morning’s biggest decision is what time to amble down to the vast pool area, which offers waterfalls and water slides. The private cabana is booked and the kids are happily debating when they’ll pick up their sea scooters and snorkelling gear to hunt for fish in the saltwater lagoon. Me? I plan on keeping an eye on them while reading a book and indulging in the occasional Piña Colada.
It wasn’t a great year for hotels in 2020. Some shut down. Others transformed into quarantine locations. But the Surfers Paradise Marriott rebranded itself to the JW Marriott
– the luxury hotel chain owned by Marriott International – and threw caution to the wind by splashing out $35 million on renovations. The outlook is staggering, no matter what side of the building you’re on (ocean or hinterland) and the 223 rooms and suites have been transformed into an indulgent representation of the GC, with the colours matching the surroundings – sand-coloured walls and floors; sea-green rugs.
There are also plenty of dining options, including cocktails and share plates at Chapter & Verse and a decadent (and COVID-19-safe) seafood buffet at Citrique.
The beauty of a resort-style break like this is that while there’s plenty to do beyond the front door (Main Beach is a three-minute walk away and the obligatory theme parks of Dreamworld, Sea World, Movie World and Wet’n’Wild are nearby), there’s more than enough to keep you occupied within the property.
Kids will love the pizza-making, sushi or junior mixology classes. Parents will love the bar area overlooking the pool. And the whole family will love the theatre of the teppanyaki experience at Misono.
Flop and drop but make it local? Yes, please.