Top 10 Gold Coast hotels for swimming

If you are a fish out of water we have the best Gold Coast hotels and resorts for you!

Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa, 5 stars

The Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa has swimming facilities to please the whole family. There is a heated outdoor pool, whirlpool/hot tub, lap pool, a children’s pool and direct beach access. Aerobic classes are available on the premises and Sea World, one of the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks featuring water parks, slides and marine education is only a two minute drive away.

Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa

Palazzo Versace, 5 stars

For an glamourous romantic getaway look no further than the 5 star Palazzo Versace. Shopping is only 10 metres away and the beach just a 100 metre stroll, but leaving this beautiful resort may be very difficult. Relax in Australia’s only water salon where poolside lounging is taken to a whole new level, enjoy the clear waters of the beautiful lagoon, sandy beach scene and Cabana’s offering private pool side service and wellbeing treatments.

Palazzo Versace

Sea World Resort & Water Park, 4.5 stars

Sea World Resort & Water Park is one of Australia’s best family resorts, offering free unlimited use of the Sea World water park (open seasonally) which has attractions for the young, old and everyone in between. The water park has a mammoth plunge, 50 metre lagoon pool with waterfall, kids splash zone and cabana. For smaller children, and children at heart the giant tipping bucket, water slides and jets are lots of fun at the poolside WaterPlay.

Sea World Resort

Towers of Chevron Renaissance, 4 stars

Consists of three majestic towers rising 50 levels, The Towers of Chevron Renaissance are connected on the 5^th floor by the ‘Beaches in the Sky’ complex. Consisting of a massive 600 metre square bell-shaped lagoon pool surrounded by sandy beach,  tropical gardens and plenty of grass for a picnic.

The Towers of Chevron Renaissance

Mantra Sun City, 4.5 stars

The Aztec inspired architecture and design of Mantra Sun City can best be enjoyed by climbing the ancient looking fortress with snake like waterslides and sliding down into the azure pool. Set amongst lush tropical gardens the property also offers a spa, indoor pool, sauna and Day Spa. 

Mantra Sun City

Paradise Resort Gold Coast, 3.5 stars

Located near the heart of Surfers Paradise, Paradise Resort Gold Coast boasts a brand new Water Park and lagoon pool. Featuring a giant tipping bucket waterfall, water cannons, waterslides there are 3 stories of aquatic fun! The younger kids don’t miss out either with a miniature waterpark offering slippery slide and water cannons. 

Paradise Resort Gold Coast

Breakfree Diamond Beach, 3.5 stars

The quiet, low rise Breakfree Diamond Beach holiday resort in the southern part of Broadbeach is great for family holidays and romantic escapes. The property makes the most of space offering tropical gardens, 2 lagoon style pools, 2 spas and a shaded BBQ area. For the little ones there is also a kid’s paddling pool, playground and games room. If you feel like splashing in the waves, then Kurrawa Beach is only 100 metres away. 

Breakfree Diamond Beach

Turtle Beach Resort, 4.5 stars

Offers accommodation for families of all sizes with 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, you will never be bored at Turtle Beach Resort. Enjoy 4 separate swimming areas including a kid’s paddling pool and adults only retreat, plus 4 spas, 2 saunas, two playgrounds and an 18 hole putt putt golf course and 28 seat cinema! 

Turtle Beach Resort

Diamond Sands Resort, 4 stars

Set upon Mermaid Beach, the low rise Diamond Sands Resort offers 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments set amongst lush tropical gardens and a lagoon pool with sandy beach. During the cooler months the pool and adjoining spa are heated. Enjoy your holidays by the pool with a picnic on the lawn or sausages on the free BBQs.

Diamond Sands Resort

Oaks Calypso Plaza, 4.5 stars

Located opposite Coolangatta Beach, Oaks Calypso Plaza offers a lagoon style swimming pool with waterslides and children’s wading pool surrounded by sub tropical gardens. Swimming is not restricted to the hotel, with a patrolled beach just across the road and the world famous Snapper Rocks offering great surf just a 10 minute walk around the headland. 

Oaks Calypso Plaza

Gold Coast's beaches

The Gold Coast is a long strip of coastal suburbs, from the quiet surf village of Tweed Heads/Coolangatta to the sophisticated Sanctuary Cove. We’ve put together a guide to help you choose the best suburb for your ideal coastal holiday. 

Sanctuary Cove on Hope Island is a millionaire’s playground, boasting a championship golf course, gourmet goodies and exclusive boutique resorts. It is home to the luxurious Marine Village shopping district and monthly twilight markets. Just a short drive away is Movie World, Dream World and Wet’n’Wild.

Main Beach

Main Beach is set on the most northerly surf beach on the Gold Coast. Home to Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa (the only beachside resort on the coast) and the opulent and iconic Palazzo Versace the area has a large selection of designer stores, gourmet cafes and restaurants both at the resorts and inside the Marina Mirage shopping complex. 

Sheraton Mirage, Palazzo Versace & Marina Mirage Complex

Yachts fringe the marina and walkers take to the beach as the sun rises. When the sun hits high in the sky Sea World opens and the crowds pour in to enjoy dolphin shows, playful Sea Lions and the polar bears playing in their pool. 

Surfers Paradise beach

Surfers Paradise is the commercial heart of the Gold Coast. It’s where the buildings are tall, clubs are loud and the shops are touristy. The beach here is outstanding, with golden sand and crisp waves. Morning is the best time to hit the sand, before the afternoon sun creates shadows out of the ubiquitous high rises. On the beach you can learn to surf, people watch or walk the kilometres of white sand. 

Surfers Paradise shopping

Redevelopment has seen Surfers Paradise go upmarket with the new Sea Temple Surfers Paradise and Circle on Cavill shopping precinct. The shops are open late and the clubs even later. Orchid Avenue, off the Cavill Mall, is the heart of the nightclub district, where you can enjoy a cool drink, sip a cocktail at a chic lounge bar or dance through the night. Surfers Paradise is also set up for indoor fun from ice skating, Infinity Attraction, Ripleys Believe it or Not, Wax Museum and SkyPoint observation deck.

Broadbeach

Broadbeach is a sophisticated strip with a variety of restaurants, classy bars and trendy nightclubs. There is a range of 4.5 and 5 star resorts including Peppers Broadbeach (who offer iPads available for hire) and the 5 star Jupiters Hotel and Casino Gold Coast. The beach is pristine and perfect for for activities during the day then at night the casino come alive with live stage shows, casino tables and bars. For shopping, choose from Surf Parade’s boutiques, Oasis Shopping Centre (home to the monorail) and Pacific Fair shopping centre. On the third Sunday of each month Broadbeach Art and Craft markets offers unique gifts, funky souvenirs and delicious local treats.

Miami

From Mermaid Beach to Burleigh Heads there is a range of quiet apartment hotels for families and couples. Burleigh Head’s patrolled beaches are lined with parklands and the nearby national park offers scenic walking trails along the coastline. 

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Currumbin Creek lends itself to gentle surf, rock pools and water activities including kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Don’t miss Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for an opportunity to cuddle a koala, feed Lorikeet and get close to marsupials and reptiles. The zoo also has a Wildlife Hospital and adventure park – both of which are open to visitors.



Greenmount headland walk



Kirra, Coolangatta, Rainbow Bay and Tweed Heads are known for their great surf, thanks to sand pumping from the Tweed River. Around every corner is a surf shop offering the best Australian surf brand clothing, surfboards and body boards. It is also home to Twin Towns, a large members club well known for its live stage shows and pokies. The Tweed River is a great base for coastal fun including fishing, river cruising and crabbing.  

Salt Village

Over the border is the resort village of Kingscliff, where the pace of life slows down to match the soft ocean breeze. Browse the boutiques, take a relaxing afternoon walk along the beach or spoil yourself with a spa treatment. Salt Village combines a village ambience with the convenience of quality bars and restaurants.