Peppers Broadbeach, review: Wake up full of beans

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This was published 11 years ago

Peppers Broadbeach, review: Wake up full of beans

By Angie Kelly
Peppers Broadbeach and the Gold Coast skyline.

Peppers Broadbeach and the Gold Coast skyline.

Ditching the workwear for thongs and embracing holiday hair doesn't mean you have to go without good coffee.

Q: What's better than luxury holiday accommodation across the road from one of Australia's most famous beaches?

A: Holiday accommodation with coffee, restaurants, boutiques and bars across the road from one of Australia's most famous beaches.

Relaxing by the pool at Peppers Broadbeach.

Relaxing by the pool at Peppers Broadbeach.

When it comes to location and having a multitude of amenities on your doorstep, Peppers Broadbeach can rightly claim real estate gold. Anywhere you can stay for a week without needing a car to eat, drink, shop and catch waves is way out in front of its competitors.

Like the Hilton up the road at Surfers Paradise, Peppers is an apartment hotel - the brand's first, evolving from its origins in boutique properties and, more recently, large-scale coastal resorts. (Its second will open in Brisbane in 2014.)

The hotel has about half of the total apartments in two towers that bookend the upmarket Oracle shopping and dining precinct. Towering 48 floors above the ground, its just-released sub-penthouse accommodation sets a new benchmark in wow-factor holiday apartments, which is saying something for the Gold Coast, a destination that heaves with good options. (All up, there are 65,000 beds for hire on the Gold Coast.)

A stay in this sprawling three-bedroom luxury apartment is definitely not for those scared of heights - sliding doors around the huge living area give access to a tummy-flipping balcony offering stunning views of the ocean-hugging strip.

With 340 square metres in which to relax, the apartment is made for entertaining (though if the balcony doors were open I would be keeping an eye on drinkers and little ones), with a cook's kitchen and an espresso machine.

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Floor-to-ceiling windows in the three bedrooms and living areas wrap residents in 270-degree views of the coastal strip, while a media room with LCD TV and entertainment system, including Xbox or Wii, will keep young screen fans occupied.

Closer to the ground, our two-bedroom apartment on level seven has it all - contemporary decor, a modern kitchen with top-brand appliances, two bathrooms, comfortable bedrooms (the master has a huge walk-in wardrobe), plenty of room in the living-dining area to invite friends for dinner and, most impressively for this bath tragic, a sensational tub with a view of the twinkling lights of surrounding buildings.

And in the First World-problem files, there's a seven-pillow menu, which dissolves our fussiness over too-soft feather jobs on the bed in the main bedroom.

When we check in we are offered an iPad, which replaces the traditional paper in-room compendium (so last century!). On it there are preloaded apps for things to do on the Gold Coast and information specific to the hotel, as well as the low-down on nearby dining options. Free wi-fi is available also. (A $300 security bond is required if you opt for the iPad.)

Facilities include a private cinema that can be reserved and enjoyed free, a gym, lap pool and games room. Bikes are also for hire, which suits the flat seaside paths between Broadbeach and Surfers and beyond.

Before our stay, a trawl of TripAdvisor feedback yielded some good advice on where the best apartments are if you have kids, and my request based on these comments was granted. As one previous guest had quite rightly advised, it was better to be in the tower closest to the beach if you have children and armloads of beach gear to cart across the road each day.

The manager tells me he has responded to all 608 critiques on TripAdvisor since opening - that's why there are now sharper knives and non-stick pans in the kitchens.

Also perhaps why the place is going great guns - and call me easily impressed but see if you don't love the nifty new live chat service when you book online. Too easy.

Angie Kelly was a guest of Peppers Broadbeach.

Trip notes

Where Peppers Broadbeach, 21 Elizabeth Avenue, Broadbeach. (07) 5635 1000, peppers.com.au/broadbeach.

Getting there Qantas flies daily to the Gold Coast. 13 13 13, qantas.com.au.

How much From $248 a night in a one-bedroom suite; from $412 a night in a two-bedroom ocean suite; from $998 a night in the sub-penthouse.

Style statement Relaxed and modern luxury.

Perfect for Families and couples.

Don't forget To plan a barbie in the Zen gardens (found in both towers), where there are gas barbecues and two teppanyaki grills.

Shame about A small gripe but the lifts sure do take their time, and you may not always find someone at reception in tower two, though it's manned 24/7 in tower one.

Kudos For free parking.

Take the kids? Definitely. Kids get helium balloons and colouring packs on arrival. Add to that bikes, free movies and games consoles.

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