Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the hotel. Everything in them—furniture, cutlery, crockery, toiletries, the lot—
is Versace (either from the home wares collection or specially created for the
hotel). Many of the rooms overlook the huge swimming pool, the Broadwater,
and marina. As you'd expect, everything is beautifully appointed, and you'll
enjoy strolling the corridors that are lined with Gianni's artwork and designs.
There's an extensive spa and health club in the basement. You can choose from
eight room types (Donatella stays in the A$3,000-a-night/US$1,950 Imperial
Suite when she comes) or from a pool of two- or three-bedroom condominiums.
And of course, should you get the urge to shop, there's a Versace boutique.
94 Sea World Dr., Main Beach, QLD 4217.
&
1800/098 000
in Australia, or 07/5509 8000. Fax 07/5509
8888. www.palazzoversace.com. 205 units and 72 condominiums. A$695 (US$452) double superior room;
A$745 (US$484) double superior suite; A$765 (US$497) double superior lagoon view room; A$895 (US$582)
deluxe suite; A$1,045 (US$679) Broadwater suite; condominiums A$1,080-A$1,380 (US$702-US$897) per
night. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; 2 bars; saltwater heated lagoon pool and 27 other pools
(some of them exclusive to condos); health club and spa; wet and dry sauna; concierge; tour desk; business
center and secretarial services; salon; 24-hr. room service; massage; laundry service; dry cleaning; half the
rooms are nonsmoking. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, PlayStation, kitchen (condos only), minibar,
fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe, Jacuzzi (all rooms and suites).
MODERATE
Mercure Resort Surfers Paradise
If you're a parent and your idea of
a holiday is to not even see your kids for most of the day, this place is for you.
The resort has a licensed child-care center for little ones as young as 6 weeks and
up to 5 years old. For 5- to 12-year-olds, there's the Gecko Club, complete with
pedal minicars, the Leonardo painting room, and an underwater themed pirate
adventure world. You can laze around the leafy pool area and watch the kids play
on the water slide. The child-care center charges moderate fees, but the Gecko
Club is free; both operate daily year-round. The low-rise building is comfortable
and rooms have views of the pool or the gardens. All rooms were refurbished in
November 2000. Family quarters sleep up to five in two separate rooms, and
some have kitchenettes. The resort rents a wide range of kiddy stuff such as
prams (strollers), bottle warmers, car seats, and PlayStations, and there is a mini
supermarket and take-out meal service. The big range of activities makes this a
great value place for families, and the center of Surfers Paradise and the patrolled
beach are a few blocks across the highway. Some rooms are near the highway, so
ask for a quiet spot.
122 Ferny Ave., Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217.
&
1800/074 111
in Australia, 800/221-4542 in the U.S. and
Canada, 0181/283 4500 in the U.K., 0800/44 4422 in New Zealand, or 07/5579 4444. Fax 07/5579 4496.
www.mercuresurfers.com.au. 405 units. A$205 (US$133) resort room (sleeps 4); A$235 (US$153) deluxe room
(sleeps 4); A$265 (US$172) resort family room (sleeps 5); A$300 (US$195) family studio (sleeps 5). Ask about
special packages. AE, DC, MC, V. Free covered security parking. Local bus stop outside the resort.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; cafe/sandwich bar; bar; 4 outdoor pools; 2 tennis courts; exercise room; Jacuzzi; sauna; child-
care center and kids' club; games room/video arcade; concierge; tour desk; shuttle bus; business center;
babysitting; coin-op laundry; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/VCR w/free and pay-per-view movies, kitchenette
(family studios only), fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe (some rooms only).
GOOD-VALUE VACATION APARTMENTS
Apartments make good sense for families and for any traveler who wants to self-
cater to save money. Because the Gold Coast has a dramatic oversupply of apart-
ments that stand empty outside school vacations, you can get a spacious modern
unit with ocean views for the cost of a low-priced midrange hotel. Apartment
block developers got in quick to snag the best beachfront spots when the Gold
Coast boomed in the 1970s, so it's apartment buildings, not hotels, that have
the best ocean views. The
Gold Coast Booking Centre
is a centralized booking
Kids
