Surprisingly, short-stay apartments can be found in some of the prime beach-front locations on the Gold Coast. This is partly due to the development boom in the 70s where apartment block developers picked up the best beach-front locations. Whilst that’s a long time ago, many have now been redeveloped into new luxury hotels while others have been continually refurbished.
These holiday apartments also provide great value for families and groups offering multiple rooms in some cases and semi or fully self-contained featuring your own laundry and kitchen facilities. Some also feature resort-style features and luxury amenities such as a gym, pool, jacuzzi etc.
As alluded to earlier, their big attraction is their prime location. Here we will introduce our four top picks

Offering large apartments, with facilities such as pool/spa/sauna in a simply amazing location near the beach but with easy access to shops etc. Located right in the heart of Surfers Paradise. They offer one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments with price varying depending on the view.

Offers modern one, two, and three-bedroom apartments located at the heart of Surfers Paradise. Some apartments feature spa while all have balconies, kitchen, washing machine etc. Facilities include pools, a sauna, and a cinema. The beach is a 10-minute walk and in the other direction is the beautiful Nerang River and access to the HOPO Ferry.

Wyndham Resort Surfers Paradise
Offers one and two-bedroom apartments located at the southern end of Surfers Paradise. It offers ocean views and is only a few minutes walk to the beach. Also, a few minutes walk away to the west is the bus stop (700, 705, 731) and to the north is Surfers Paradise Station for the G:Link tram.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Surfers, Ambience offers a peaceful but convenient right by one of the Gold Coast’s most stunning sections of beach. They offer one and three-bedroom apartments with full kitchen, laundry etc.
How much do Holiday Apartments on the Gold Coast cost?
Rates can range from around $200 through to $600 at the upper end. Rates vary according to the level of luxury, location and view, amenities, and of course how many rooms.
When you choose to take your holiday can significantly impact room rates, with discounts of 60% or more available during off-peak times. Sometimes, you may have limited flexibility with your travel dates, in which case the best advice is to book early to secure the best rates.
Here’s an approximate guide to the low, mid, and peak periods:
- Late January to late March – Low
- Early April to early June – Mid
- Mid-June to late September – Low
- Early October to mid-November – Mid
- Early November to late December – Low
- Late December to mid-late January – Peak
There are also peaks during major events such as the GC 500 or Magic Millions Horse Racing Carnival. Localized peaks may occur, for example, in Broadbeach during large events or conferences at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. School holiday breaks, especially when both NSW and VIC holidays overlap, also cause rate increases. See events.
Which area is best for holiday accommodation?
In a nutshell, most will rightly choose Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, or Main Beach.
The Gold Coast offers diverse accommodation options, from self-contained apartments and hotels in popular areas like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, to budget-friendly options in Southport and along the coast from Miami to Coolangatta. Depending on your plans, you may prefer quieter beach areas like Burleigh Heads or Palm Beach, while those looking to enjoy the city’s attractions and nightlife should consider staying in Surfers Paradise.
For luxury stays, Main Beach and Hope Island are ideal, while nature lovers can explore the eco-retreats in the Hinterland.
More
Here are our lists of the top choices based on our own experiences as locals, previous visitor reviews and ratings, value for money, and location.
The Top 15 Gold Coast Luxury Hotels
The Top Gold Coast Spa Hotels
The Top 10 Surfers Paradise Hotels & Resorts
The Top 12 Mermaid Beach Hotels & Resorts
The Top 12 Coolangatta Resorts and Hotels
The Top 11 Hotels & Resorts in Main Beach
Pet-Friendly accommodation options
The Big List of Family Accommodation Options
The Big list of Hotels & Resorts with Beach Access