Discover where to stay at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast at the playful, stylish and reliably different Voco Gold Coast review..
Eat drink and be Kerry answers your questions on where to stay at Surfers Paradise with a detailed look at the newly renovated 389 room voco Gold Coast, formerly the Watermark hotel.
Opened in November 2018, this was the first voco hotel launched by Intercontinental Hotel Group internationally and was the first in Australia.
Voco Gold Coast review
It’s a warm welcome from the lobby desk and a smooth check-in that finishes with the offer of a lavender shortbread made with lavender and honey from the rooftop garden.
Clutching my biscuit filled paper bag, I head back to take advantage of parking underneath the building with a lift that takes you straight to your floor.
What’s inside the room – Voco Gold Coast review
It’s all bright and shiny on the top four floors with a total overhaul (including new bathrooms) for the Deluxe and Deluxe Ocean View Rooms.
The lower floors also have been given a soft refurbish and sport the hotel’s attractive new décor. It’s always a good sign to me when I covet the accessories, and I definitely would like to have one of their bird prints. Unfortunately, they are not for sale.
I stayed in a Deluxe Ocean View room (1901) which had a king-size bed with a comfortably soft pillow topper and four soft cushions. I thought the cushions and quilt were stuffed with down, but I was surprised to learn the stuffing is partly recycled plastic bottles!
The bedside lamps throw plenty of light, and a power point and two USB sockets are located on each side of the bedhead. Inside the wardrobe is a suitcase rack, iron, white waffle robes and slippers.
The phone is multi-functional and includes a clock which has a built-in night light which I found too bright at night. I dimmed it by putting a cushion over it. The phone also includes a radio.
The Internet is fast and free. However, you can’t cast your devices to the room at the moment. This is a hotel where you need to bring your own speaker for music and watch Netflix on your iPad. There’s a round glass table that comes with one chair and could be used as a desk.
At the end of the day, I can see myself wrapped up in the waffle robe watching the waves rolling into the shore, and the world go by from the luxury of the day bed. It’s totally quiet in the room with no sounds from the road below disturbing the silence except for the odd emergency siren.
When it is time to turn off the lights, it is painless. No hunting around for switches, just a couple of simple and obvious flicks.
Bathroom bliss?
I like the sleek and compact bathroom with its single basin and toilet complemented by an oversized shower. It all looks very new and fresh with soothing monochrome marble-look tiles contrasting against white fittings.
The mirror is large and sports a lighted makeup mirror on the side. There are two additional mirrors outside which is handy when you are sharing a room.
The products are Aveda, and the shower accessories are offered sustainably in locked wall containers to reduce wastage. No door on the shower but the large size means it does not spray water on the floor.
There’s a powerful hairdryer hidden in the wardrobe. I never understand why hair dryers need to be hidden inside bags in the cupboard like something shameful.
The view
Staying on the 19th floor in room 901 I had a sweeping view of the beach between the beachfront high-rise. It was easy to see surf conditions while relaxing on the bed or daybed.
No balcony with this room but I didn’t really miss it.
Eating at Voco Gold Coast
There are three dining venues at the hotel including Waves Buffet which offers breakfast and dinner.
Social House is a relaxed bar and lounge area with a variety of spaces. It’s also a coffee shop with takeaway lunch offerings and seriously good, freshly made goodies from the pastry team. This is also the spot to pick up some honey or bee wax candles.
Social House offers a generous and contemporary High Tea from 11 pm and to 4 pm. My taste buds will tell you this is a seriously good high tea. Pair it with sparkling wine or tea and coffee and share it with a friend.
There’s also an extensive cocktail menu which includes a salted caramel espresso that is the stuff of legends.
Long-standing Clifford’s Grill & Lounge has a reshaped menu from voco Gold Coast Executive Chef Daniel Smith. You can still enjoy the signature char-grilled one-kilo t bone steak, but there is also small and large sharing plates and more delicious dessert offerings from the pastry team.
What’s outside the hotel?
The hotel is ideally located to explore Surfers Paradise without too much buzz. Cavill Avenue is just a seven-minute walk away and the Gold Coast’s tallest building, Sky Point is just over the road. At 230 metres above sea level, it offers a great perspective on the coastline.
There are markets along the foreshore several nights of the week.
How about sustainability?
Tackling sustainability in hotels is a complex task, and voco Gold Coast have started with some impressive changes which are already making a difference.
The food recycling partnership with Gold Coast City council sees food waste from across the hotel recycled with benefits.
Rooftop hives produce honey which, supplemented from additional offsite hives, is used throughout the hotel from the welcome biscuits to the breakfast buffet and late-night cocktails.
The hotel uses paper straws and has removed plastic water bottles in rooms and venues, although some remain in the mini bar.
Where to stay at Surfers Paradise
Voco Gold Coast is located at 31 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise and fronts on to Surfers Paradise Boulevard. There is a G:link station right out the front of the hotel allowing easy light rail access to 19 stations over 20 kilometres between Helensvale and Broadbeach.
Voco Gold Coast review – Sigh with happiness factor
High. The welcoming touches and luxurious room make a stay here feel like a special occasion and oh so relaxing. The room view is mesmerising and captures the essence of the Gold Coast’s tall skyscrapers and white sand beach flanked by rolling surf.
Recommended for couples and families who are looking for a comfortable but stylish Surfers Paradise holiday with attractive onsite food and bar options.
Best rate: per night from $134 (February 19).
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I hope you found this Voco Gold Coast review helpful. For a comprehensive update on the latest hotels in Brisbane, check this update.
You might also like the Star Grand at Broadbeach, Gold Coast.
Disclaimer
Ed+bK was a guest of voco Gold Coast.
