Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise, Australia
Quick walk from the beach
15-minute walk to main area packed with eateries and shops
Sleek, modern apartments with full kitchens and dining tables
In-room washer/dryers, flat-screen TVs, and safes
Some units have balconies and lovely ocean views
Outdoor pool with adjacent hot tub and loungers
Outdoor terraces with barbecue grills and pretty views
Well-equipped gym with ocean vistas, plus sauna and steam room
27th-floor lounge and function spaces with panoramic windows
Free Wi-Fi and underground parking
Numerous complaints of elevators being faulty and slow
No distinction between partial and full ocean view rooms
Some reports of noise reaching rooms
The upscale Rhapsody Resort is situated at the north end of Surfers Paradise, allowing for a relaxed setting within easy access of attractions. Opened in 2016, the design throughout is modern and sleek, and its 41 floors allows for lovely ocean views from areas such as the rooftop terrace. The 223 rooms range from Studios to Two-Bedroom Apartments, all of which have full kitchens, washer/dryers, flat-screen TVs, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Excellent on-site features consist of a small outdoor pool and hot tub, a well-equipped fitness center with great vistas, a barbecue grill area, and a lounge area. A casual ground-level cafe receives positive reviews, but it only serves dinner on select nights. Wi-Fi and parking are both free. Travelers wanting a spa and more on-site restaurants should consider Q1 Resort & Spa, also an apartment-style property.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Quiet, modern apartment-style property for couples and families alike
Opened in 2016, the 41-story Rhapsody Resort draws guests with its modern apartment-style units and location close to the hubbub of Surfers Paradise. At the quieter north end of the strip, it's appealing to vacationers who want to be close to the action without feeling like they are part of a non-stop party. The design throughout is sleek and contemporary, done in a largely neutral-tone palette with pops of color in artwork or throw pillows. However, it's the views that take center stage here, with stellar ocean and city views from many rooms and common areas, including the rooftop terrace with seating. Some past guests have complained of long lines for elevators or issues where elevators skip their floor, though generally, everything runs smoothly.
Location
At the north end of Surfers Paradise, just steps from the beach
Wedged between Surfers Paradise Boulevard (the main drag) and the northern end of the beachfront esplanade, this hotel puts vacationers within walking distance of popular spots like Adrenalin Park and Macintosh Island Park, aimed at fun junkies and nature lovers respectively. Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets can be reached on foot, too, as can the Paradise Centre on pedestrian-only Cavill Mall (it’s the largest shopping venue here and home to Timezone, a big family-oriented indoor amusement complex). Day-trippers, meanwhile, can drive to the big theme parks such as Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet 'n' Wild, and Dreamworld in 25 minutes or less. Depending on traffic, it will take 30 minutes to drive to the Gold Coast Airport, though it can also be reached via public transit in about twice that time. Airport shuttle service can be arranged on-site. - One-minute walk to Surfers Paradise North G:link Station (Gold Coast Light Rail)
Rooms
Bright, modern apartments with full kitchens and big windows
Ranging from 323-square-foot Studios to 883-square-foot Two-Bedroom Apartments, rooms here are spacious and modern. Though decor varies a bit between units, they're all done in a contemporary, if IKEA-like, style with muted tones, plus pops of blue, green, or yellow in patterned throw pillows, rugs, or artwork. Floor-to-ceiling windows keep rooms bright in the daytime, plus several rooms have furnished balconies. While many apartments have ocean views, the hotel's website doesn't differentiate between partial and full ocean vistas, leading to disappointment for some. Also on the downside, some past guests have complained of noise reaching rooms. Excellent in-room amenities consist of full kitchens with fridges, four-burner stovetops, microwaves, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, and cookware, and dining tables. Also standard are air-conditioning, digital safes, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, plus washer/dryers and ironing facilities. Bathrooms across the board have well-sized walk-in showers, hairdryers, and toiletries. One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments add separate living rooms and furnished balconies.
Features
Outdoor pool, well-equipped gym, casual cafe, and panoramic terraces
The stunning white-sand beach that is located a block from the resort is, of course, a major draw here; however, the hotel itself offers a few attractive on-site features. On the ground level is a narrow lounger-lined outdoor pool with a hot tub on one side. There aren't any impressive views here but the pool is a popular spot for a dip. Also on this level are a free-to-use steam room and sauna. The casual Beachside Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, and dinner on some nights. Menu items include sandwiches, salads, quiche, and pastries, and food receives positive reviews. Most other amenities are concentrated on the 27th floor or up on the roof. The former has a well-equipped fitness center with panoramic windows and a spacious lounge that opens onto a sea-view terrace. The rooftop terrace also overlooks the ocean, and barbecue facilities are available here and by the pool for guests. Event spaces, rentable bikes, free underground parking, and free Wi-Fi round out features.
