Gold Coast Inn

The pool was nice, and the location was good, close to the beach with the tram station right across the road. That was the end of the good points. Reception wasn't open for long, so there was no one to talk to when we needed help, and the phone number listed on the website didn't exist. The rooms were terrible, and while the price was fairly low, it still wasn't cheap enough. Our ceiling was covered in mould, and the bathroom roller door was broken and just leaning against the wall. To use the toilet, we had to lift the door and prop it in the doorway. The bedding was stained, and there was no tea, coffee, or sugar. We had to fill the kettle using the shower. Definitely wouldn't stay again.

The bedding was especially distressing. The doonas had major stains, including some that looked like blood, and they didn't meet even basic hygiene expectations. The whole stay was appalling. The premises felt severely neglected, unhygienic, and outdated, with cleanliness, safety, and maintenance so poor I don't think they should be operating in this condition. We had to request a room change as soon as we arrived because the first room had extensive visible mould on several surfaces and an intense, suffocating mould smell that made it uninhabitable. It's unacceptable and a serious health concern. Elsewhere in the building, rubbish bags were piled up inside and leaves and debris were everywhere. We also encountered cockroaches, suggesting very poor hygiene and pest control. Security was alarming too. The room doors didn't lock properly, so children could wander out without anyone noticing. The building was unsecured, allowing anyone from the street to walk straight in to the guest areas. It needs major cleaning, pest control, repairs, and proper security before it can be considered safe or suitable for guests. One of the worst accommodation experiences I've ever had. I strongly advise others to avoid it.

The room was clean, but the place felt dated and worn, with oddly low beds, wall stains and tired furniture. Getting around was confusing too: parking was a hassle, the key was hard to use in the dark, and it took me ten minutes to find the exit gate. The main issue was my phone. I left it at reception to charge for a couple of hours that morning after staff assured me it was fine. When I picked it up, fingerprint verification showed five failed unlock attempts with the wrong password. It seems someone tried to access my personal phone while staff had it. That’s completely unacceptable and felt like attempted theft. The woman who checked me in was warm, helpful and professional, and was the only good part of my stay. Everything else was overshadowed by what happened. It might otherwise have been an average budget stay, but trust is the minimum a hotel should offer, and Gold Coast Inn broke that trust. I wouldn’t stay here.

Two of the four rooms I looked at had visible mold and cockroaches, dead and alive, coming out of cracks in the shower. Whatever appeal the location or price might have, those health concerns outweigh it. I can’t recommend staying here. When checking a motel or hotel, I’d look for signs of neglect like dirty shared areas, stained carpets, messy outdoor spaces, broken lights or appliances, leaky taps, damp smells, mold, or pests and their droppings. Worn furniture, peeling paint, persistent bad odors and outdated or neglected decor can also point to poor upkeep. Loose tiles, broken handrails or exposed wires are safety concerns, and unresponsive or unhelpful staff may reflect wider management problems.