Here is our list of the top luxury five-star hotels on the Gold Coast for 2024. This is the best of the best, ranked from most expensive to least expensive. Let’s start with the undisputed #1:
The Langham
Featuring hotel rooms and residences with outstanding views over the beach and ocean or the Hinterland. The prestigious brand redefines luxury on the Gold Coast and there is no finer to be found.
The Darling at The Star Gold Coast
Everything is at your doorstep with The Star Gold Coast offering live entertainment, restaurants, bars, and of course, the casino. Pacific Fair and Broadbeach are just a few minutes walk away making this a very attractive destination for a celebration/staycation.
Verandah House Country Estate
If you want to pass on the Glitter Strip then this is for you. A stunning natural oasis with superb hinterland views, consistently rated as peaceful, secluded, and exceptional. A short drive away are all the wonders of Mount Tamborine including Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, hiking trails, and numerous wineries.
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
An icon of the Gold Coast, the first of the luxury hotels in the region it has continually been upgraded to stay at the top. It offers a superb location, a time-honored brand and it’s almost an institution. Always a safe pick.
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort
Another icon of the Gold Coast, with a stunning location right on the beach, it is hard to not consider this alongside the Langham. It offers a secluded beach resort feel right in the heart of the action with Sea World, Marina Mirage, and Main Beach just minutes away.
Azzura Greens Resort
While not offering the same level of luxury as the others on this list, it’s also more gentle on the wallet, and it does offer another choice in the Hope Island area which is popular with golfers, not far from the marina, and not too far away are the theme parks.
InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort
Another icon, the superb grand lady of the Gold Coast offers a very natural setting with all the modern amenities at your fingertips. Its drawcard is of course having the Sanctuary Cove Marina just a stroll away giving you a vast ocean to explore.
Imperial Hotel Gold Coast
Formerly the Palazzo Versace, two decades ago when it opened it redefined the Gold Coast, hosting celebrities and millionaires from across the globe, much as the Langham has done again in recent times. It has changed names but is no less opulent and offers incredible value.
Peppers Broadbeach
A great location in Broadbeach, within a few minutes walk along Elizabeth Avenue you reach Pratten Park and the beautiful long stretching beach. The surrounding area is packed with some of the Gold Coast’s best cafes and restaurants and across the road is the Star Casino.
QT Gold Coast
QT offers modern luxury with retro styling and amenities aimed at a younger crowd including a hi-tech gym, outdoor pool, spa, and multiple dining/bar options. Among the five-star hotels listed, it offers great value.
Hilton Surfers Paradise
The Hilton brand almost guarantees you a good experience and the Gold Coast is no exception. If you are looking for a safe bet without thinking too much, this is probably it.
Sofitel Gold Coast
Another time-honoured location on the Gold Coast, it was one of the first big hotels to open at Broadbeach and has been updated and renovated with the times. The location is superb, right in the heart of central Broadbeach with easy access to transport heading in any direction, the Star Casino is just a short walk away, as is the long stretching sandy beachfront.
Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise
Right by the beach in Surfers Paradise and great value to boot. The Meriton here and the one on Southport both offer great value among the mid-level luxury offerings. If you want to take it up a notch, or several notches, they also offer a Three-Bedroom Sky Penthouse.
Meriton Suites Southport
Much like its counterpart in Surfers Paradise (and there is another in Broadbeach) they offer modern serviced apartments with mid-level luxury offerings. It is located 5 min from Australia Fair Shopping Centre featuring 1, 2 or 3 bedroom suites plus a fitness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi, and sauna.
Bonus – Luxury Residences and Holiday Homes
If you are looking for a more private, homely luxury experience on the Gold Coast here are some options for just that. Suitable for groups and large families, here’s one central pick in the lovely Benowa area and two options for a Hinterland escape.
Waterfront Villa
Located centrally in Benowa on the bank of the Nerang River with views to Surfers Paradise, this home offers 5 bedrooms and pool. Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise are just 10 minutes away and it’s an easy drive out to the theme parks and to/from the airport/
The Eagles Nest Hinterland Retreat
A stunning 50-acre property in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, bordered to the west of the Sarabah Range, east of the Darlington Range and divided by the breathtaking Sarabah Valley. It offers 4 bedrooms, 7 beds, and 2 bathrooms with mountain views and an outdoor saltwater infinity pool. It is located about 50 minutes west of the Surfers Paradise area and Gold Coast Airport.
Grande Eden
Situated on 12 acres of natural grounds, this private home offers 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with an outdoor saltwater pool, and a private sauna. It is located in the scenic area of Bilambil Heights, about 15 minutes from Coolangatta.
Conclusion
With its seductive blend of natural splendour and seemingly endless attractions and activities, the Gold Coast has truly arrived as one of the premier luxury playgrounds of the Pacific. Long gone are the days of the seedy 1980s-style holiday apartments, thankfully. From hinterland estates tucked amongst lush rainforests to beachfront icons just footsteps away from the crashing waves, the accommodation choices cater to every level of indulgence.
Moreover, it now has the cuisine offerings to match with 21 hatted restaurants as rated by the Australian Food Guide along with 4 of Queensland’s top golf courses, The Grand Golf Club, Hope Island, The Pines Sanctuary Cove, and the Glades. It has Australia’s leading theme parks and endless beachfront and natural hinterland to explore.
Celebratory weekends, romantic getaways, or simply an excuse to be treated like royalty – the Gold Coast has got you covered. Its five-star offerings provide the ultimate blend of natural wonder and luxury, without the need for a single serious thought, as every step is seemingly attended to by someone.