Paradise Resort Gold Coast

The Paradise Resort makes no attempt to hide its target audience -- families with children -- and almost every inch of the hotel's public areas are rife with bright signage, vibrant colors, and playful murals. The rooms are laid out in low-lying three-story structures that wrap around outdoor areas, including the pool and water park. The hotel's slogan, "Heaven for kids…paradise for parents," conveys the slightly frenetic visual atmosphere, which can feel a bit like a shopping mall mixed with an amusement park, as there are vending machines, game machines, an indoor playground, a convenience store, and brightly colored contemporary furniture all competing for attention in the hotel's large lobby. Bistro Zagame's and the Poolside Cafe & Bar both have bright color schemes as well, but are fairly straightforward and charmless places for a meal. 

The hotel is close to the northern end of Surfer’s Paradise, abutting a residential area and a swath of short-term apartment rentals. It is a 10-minute walk to the beach, and the shops and restaurants along Cavill Avenue take about 13 minutes to reach on foot. The Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets, which take place on designated nights throughout the week, are about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The 705 bus, which stops in front of the hotel, reaches Sea World in about 20 minutes and the Gold Coast Airport can be reached by the 700 bus in 45 minutes. Guests with cars can reach Sea World in 10 minutes and the airport in 30 to 45 minutes, though parking is not free at the hotel.

Like many hotels and resorts along this stretch of coast, rooms have a simple beachy vibe dominated by blonde wood laminate and shades of blue and white. To be clear, rooms are bright and clean, but aren't the epitome of style, and aspects of design like the carpets and countertops in some rooms can look dated or show a good deal of wear and tear. Many rooms have kid-friendly details like step stools in the bathrooms, and all rooms have a mini-fridge, an iron and board, bedside reading lights, a table with two chairs, air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, an electric kettle, and a balcony or patio with a table and a couple of chairs. Superior Resort Rooms and higher level bookings have a microwave, and room categories above the Superior Resort level have built-in bunks for children in bright colors, plus video game systems -- some even have separate sleeping areas. Bathrooms are straightforward, with white tiles, bathtub/shower combos or walk-in showers, and pump-dispensed toiletries. There is a disparity in room quality at the hotel, and certain rooms, like the Superior Junior Bunkhouse and Superior Resort Room we visited, have more contemporary design elements, like bold gray striped carpets and more attractive wood paneling plus contemporary bathrooms. Noise from neighboring rooms, the adjacent highway, and the water park and pool areas can also be an issue in some rooms.

The hotel has an abundance of on-site activities and entertainment for kids that includes a large water park area, indoor play areas and jungle gyms (including one with a sandbox), a game room, supervised activities, and shows put on by the hotel's staff. All of the facilities on-site are exclusive to hotel guests except for the ice skating rink, which is open to the public. Guests should note that there are additional fees for certain activities, like the skating rink. There are some adult-friendly features on site as well, including in-room massages, a simple fitness center with a limited amount of cardio equipment, an adults-only hot tub plus an outdoor pool and hot tub area near the water park. Poolside drinks and light meals are available at the Poolside Cafe & Bar, and the hotel's on-site restaurant, The Bistro, serves dishes like pasta and steaks, plus a full breakfast and a buffet for kids. No meals are included in room rates. There is also an internet terminal, a coin-operated laundry, a convenience store, and a BBQ area. Wi-Fi is only free in the hotel's lobby and there is a charge for in-room use. Parking is available, but is not free, and in-room babysitting is also available.