Review: QT Hotel Gold Coast, Australia

I think this has to be one of the most instagrammable hotels I have ever stayed in. From the second I walked into the QT Gold Coast I wanted to whip out my iPhone and start snapping. From the multimedia wall in the entrance (which coordinated beautifully with the retro-style bike next to it), to the jars of fresh lemonade in the lobby and fifties pin-up ladies who joined me in the lift – this place seemed made for photos.

Checking in at the QT Gold Coast was an absolute breeze because for the first time in my life I had been checked in before I even arrived at the hotel. QT emailed me the day before my arrival offering me the option to input my details now instead of at the desk on arrival, and I willingly took up the offer. Upon arrival the smiling staff (who looked like fifties pin-ups themselves) simply handed me my key and wished me a good stay. There was also an option in the email to put in a room request, at which point I asked for one as high as possible – I wanted to make the most of the Gold Coast views.

And the room certainly did make the most of the views. I was situated on the 9^th floor, which was about half way up the 297-room tower, (the hotel must have had a similar request from pretty much everyone else there attending Problogger) but it was high enough to offer the sea and Surfers Paradise views I was hoping for. (On Sunday morning I could actually see surfers catching waves from my room.) There was no furniture on the balcony, which seemed a shame, but there was plenty of quirky décor inside the room to catch the eye (and a couple of chairs I could have moved outside should I have wanted to).

My room was an Ocean View King and it was certainly roomy. With a desk space as well as a reading nook and a corner table (adorned with a pineapple candle that I loved), there was plenty of room to spread yourself out. The bed was huge and squishy (just the way I like them) and the bedside table had a kitschy cockatoo lamp so fitting for this location I had to immediately Instagram it. The bathroom featured a striking monochrome wall I would love to recreate in my own home and I loved the little touch of beach thongs (flip flops to us Brits) hanging on the wall for guest use.

As I was there for a conference I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked simply mooching the hotel and taking it all in but I certainly made the most of the free Wi-Fi and had a peek in the hotel boutique. I looked at the pool wistfully in-between sessions but was soon comforted by the delectable food which kept on coming – every break at the conference was generously and deliciously catered by the hotel. I also sampled the burger and sweet potato fries on offer at Stingray Bar the first night I arrived and they were seriously tasty. Plus, dinner was made all the more sweeter by the fact I gained a 20% discount on my bill simply by signing up to the hotel reward club.

Priority Guest Rewards is something I came across during that email in which I was able to check into my room from home. At the same time I was also asked if I would like to join PGR which (free of charge) would entitle me to 10% off best rates online, 20% off meals and drinks, complimentary bottle of water or welcome drink and late check-out of 1pm. Why on earth would I not? (These discounts apply to a range of stylish hotels, including the Art Series and Rydges, find out more here.)

Location wise I love that this hotel is centred between the river and the sea. (Rooms come with either ocean or mountain/river views.) The heart of Surfer’s Paradise is only a 5 minute walk away, but far enough away so that you would never know you were in a busy tourist hub. Being able to stroll to the beach for sunrise each morning and enjoy a coffee on the pier at peaceful Budd’s Beach were some of the best aspects about my time on the Gold Coast. That and the fact that every picture of the hotel gained me a gazillion likes on Instagram!

I chose to stay at the QT Gold Coast because it was the venue for Problogger and I thought it would be nice to be able to duck back to my hotel room and recharge my phone etc. in-between conference sessions. I had no idea I was in for such a stylish, luxurious and quirky stay. I came away a very happy QT devotee.

For more information on QT Hotels and Resorts visit www.qthotels.com.au.