Paradise Isles

We’ve visited 52 countries, and this was one of the worst properties we’ve stayed in. We booked and paid for 5 nights, but unfortunately it says 6 nights, January 2025. We regret it, and found the stay a torture. Please avoid this property and remove it from your website. The place was dusty, with old carpets that triggered my dust allergy for the whole trip. Carpets were dirty and damaged, toilet seats broken, and sofas and furniture damaged. Staff were unruly. There was only one AC in the hall, and when we asked, she told us to open the bedroom door and sleep. There was no lift, so we had to carry three suitcases up three floors. It feels like they’re living in the stone age. We requested a 60 mains extension for checkout, and they charged an extra $35. Their attitude was as if they were doing us charity by letting us stay.

The pool spa was especially lovely in the evenings after long days of adventures, and there’s a vending machine beside the staircase near our room that came in handy. Our room was fantastic, spacious, comfortable and fully set up. The staff were wonderful, friendly and helpful, and gave us discounts for various places. It’s a short walk to Surfers Paradise’s main streets and local stores. Before our flight home, the staff were super kind and looked after our luggage while we went exploring.

The apartment was dirty when we finally got inside: black mould, dust, hair on the floor and bits of rubbish hidden around. The dishwasher leaked, the air conditioner didn’t work, and the Gold Coast humidity made it infuriating. They gave us towels, a box of chocolates and a fan. We could have asked for a refund or a room change, but by then it felt like too much hassle. We’d booked well in advance, then got a message just before arrival about renovations. If I’d known, we’d have chosen our other option, but there was no free cancellation. Getting in was extremely difficult because all the doors were sealed off. There were signs directing us to the basement, but we couldn’t access the car park without a key. We stood around for about 15 minutes wondering what to do. The first after-hours landline button seemed to be for the old number, another got no response, and the number on the sign was useless. We pressed the landline button again and finally got through. We were tired and hot, adjusting from somewhere less tropical after getting off a flight that morning.

We stayed for a week. The pool and spa were great, but the receptionist wasn’t always there when we needed something. Our room really needed a proper clean: there was long hair left in the bedroom and lolly wrappers under the couch. It kind of felt like we were being ripped off.