The Mercure Gold Coast Resort is in that perfect spot that’s only a short drive away from Broadbeach (it’s about $17 by taxi between the resort and Pacific Fair) but far enough to offer absolute peace and tranquility. And that’s exactly what you get here; it’s so peaceful and idyllic that a part of me, which was built over one very relaxing day and night, broke when it came time to check out. While waving farewell to this property (for now) was a bit painful, the stay left a lasting impression.
Thanks to a recent refurbishment, to walk through those large sliding doors and into the lobby is a decidedly grand feeling, with a smart modern design that is as impressive as anything else on the grounds. And being surrounded by an international Golf Course, those grounds are fairly large.
Check-in is swift and simple, the staff quick and efficient. Your bags are helped into a golf cart and driven down to your room; you choose whether you want to go with them or walk. There are 280 accommodation all spread across buildings with names like “Honeyeater” – the building I was in.
The superior room is grand and spacious, making the bed seem small until you actually lay on it. This could easily fit three three people, with a soft and lush mattress, smooth pillows, and lamps with light switches on either side. Electrical outlets are on either side as well for efficiency.
Towards the two large windows, which give you a full view of the rolling greens and lake around you, there’s a long bed-chair with a swinging table for work. It’s appropriately facing the television but can easily be moved to face that therapeutic view from the roomy balcony.
A large cabinet next to the wall-fixed TV has a case with Dilmah Exceptional teas, a step up from the quality of your standard hotel with choice selections like Berry Sensation and Arabian Mint Tea. A well-stocked mini bar is beneath with a bar fridge full of good quality wine.
Their TV system is impressive, with a very comprehensive selection of new and old films alongside almost every Foxtel channel.
Outside, it gets eerily dark, so you can’t see much from the balcony. There is a high-powered torch included in the cupboard with an ironing board and slippers amongst other standard hotel items.
The bathroom is large, with a shower, a spa bath, a toilet, and a basin. The spa bath may be a bit too small if you’re over 6 foot like me though.
In each building, there is a laundry service room, making things nice and convenient for any extended stays.
Dinner at the restaurant, accessed through the lobby, begins at 6 although there is round-the-clock food service thanks to the bar and in-room service (late-night eats are available from 10pm-6am). I ate at the bar around 5pm, grabbing a beautiful pulled pork burger which was surprisingly a cut above what I’m used to in hotels. Room service didn’t fare as well, with the spaghetti and meatballs; the meatballs were delicious and the sauce was fresh, but the pasta was a bit under cooked.
There are two outdoor swimming pools, the main one impressively large and easy to spot from every accommodation building. There’s an outside spa in the area as well, access the the massage and beauty therapy rooms, and a little bar with snacks and drinks.
Breakfast is until 10am in the restaurant, and it’s the buffet is set out beautifully with the expected selection of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, and more amongst healthy, clean-eating options. The scrambled eggs are much better than your standard hotel breakfast, with the bacon also impressively (wrapped to resemble some sort of bacon flower) juicy.
With easy access to and from Gold Coast (the airport is only a 30 minute drive), train stations (Nerang and Robina trains stations are a 5 minute drive), and buses (direct link to M1), Mercure is very well connected while still maintaining that air of privacy that seems to characterise the resort. I could see business conferences or team-building exercises being very popular here, and many of the facilities seems to be designed with that in mind.
Chris stayed one night as a guest of Accor Hotels. He was flown to Gold Coast as a guest of Tigerair
64 Palm Meadows Dr, Carrara QLD 4211
www.mercuregoldcoastresort.com.au
(07) 5555 7700
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