Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast

Nestled on a canal towards the northern end of Surfers Paradise, this iconic resort hotel ticks many boxes for people looking for a casually elegant stay on the Gold Coast.

• Location: On Surfers Paradise Boulevard, a block back from the beach.
• Accommodations: There are several categories of accommodation. Guest Rooms have either hinterland or ocean views and come with two double beds or a king sized bed, while Junior Suites all have ocean views and the same bed configuration options. There are one-bedroom Executive Suites, all with corner locations and ocean views, and a choice of Presidential Suites; one is slightly larger than the other with one-and-a-half bathrooms, and both have ocean views. All accommodations have private balconies.
• Dining options: If your room rate includes it, you will enjoy a full buffet breakfast in Citrique, which doubles up as an award-winning international seafood restaurant. There is also Misono Japanese Steakhouse and Misono Sake Bar.
• What else is there: One of the main drawcards of the Marriott is a gorgeous, lush pool area, which includes a real sand beach lagoon where guests can snorkel among live tropical fish. There is also the lively Pool Bar, the Chapter & Verse Bar and Lounge, a fitness centre, and a Ruby Spa.
• What’s nearby: The resort is about a 10-15 minute leisurely stroll back into the heart of Surfers Paradise for dining, shopping and entertainment, while to the north, Main Beach offers a range of dining options. A G-Link tram station is close by to take you to Broadbeach for dining and shopping at Pacific Fair, and to Helensvale for the Night Quarter entertainment precinct.
• Why go: It’s a full-service resort hotel close to the beach and Surfers Paradise.

The Space

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa celebrated its 25th anniversary in November 2017, and thanks to a major refurbishment in 2012 the resort isn’t showing it’s age one bit. As hotels go on the Glitter Strip it’s one of a kind, from its lush, sandy lagoon to its cavernous foyer; its also very much a family hotel, although there are plenty of spots for couples to enjoy quiet time. The hotel's accommodations are spread over 28 floors, offering views of the Gold Coast city skyline, Main Beach, the Gold Coast canals and hinterland.  

Where We Stayed

Our room for one night was a high floor Guest Room with an ocean view and king bed. It was spacious, and simply and elegantly styled with good use of blonde and white woods, and a colour palette of cream and coral complimented with mirrors throughout. The large bed had nice, crisp linens (although the mattress was a little soft), there was a flat screen TV mounted to the wall, and the room had a bar fridge with basic tea and coffee making facilities. The walk in closet would be a bonus for longer stays; it is larger than normal, and comes with an iron and ironing board, and a safe. The large, white tiled bathroom with a coral coloured marble trim had a decent sized vanity, and a large shower with a separate full size bathtub. A good selection of luxury toiletries was supplied. And did I mention the jaw dropping views?

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The views, particularly from the higher floors.
• The lagoon, which has the feeling of being on a tropical island.
• The attentive service from front desk staff and in the restaurant for breakfast.  

Insider Tips  

• Ask for a high floor room facing the ocean to maximise the glittering views.
• Make use of the G-Link tram; it’s cheap to ride, and will get you around the primary beach areas without the need to drive.

The Details

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa is located at 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise, 07 5592 9800.