Soul, Surfers Paradise accommodation review: Weekend away

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This was published 9 years ago

Soul, Surfers Paradise accommodation review: Weekend away

By Jane Cadzow
Soul Surfers Paradise

Soul Surfers Paradise

The location

Surfers Paradise is the hub of the Gold Coast, the holiday destination that has grown into the sixth-largest city in Australia. Bars and boutiques abound, but the main attraction is the sparkling Pacific and the beach that stretches south to NSW.

The place

Soul is a 77-storey apartment tower on the beachfront. The lobby, with its nine-metre ceiling and marble staircase, sets the tone: this is an elegant, no-expense-spared establishment. The 287 apartments have wrap-around balconies with sweeping views. Lounge by the outdoor pool or exercise in the 25-metre indoor pool.

The experience

In the 50 years since Meter Maids in bikinis first strolled the streets, feeding coins into expired parking meters and posing for happy-snaps with holiday-makers who stayed in motels with names like The Pink Poodle, Surfers Paradise has been completely rebuilt. It now has the skyline of a thrusting metropolis, though some of the raffish atmosphere remains: the Prada, Louis Vuitton and Gucci boutiques in Elkhorn Avenue co-exist with the kebab shops of Cavill Mall. The Meter Maids are still here, but these days wear Akubras, not tiaras, and charge $5 for a photo opportunity.

Don't miss

Smelling the salt air on the breeze. The sybaritic delight of staying in a place like Soul is best appreciated after a long walk on the beach or a bracing plunge into the ocean. Gin-and-tonic on the balcony tastes better when taken with sand between the toes.

Need to know

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Cost: From $349 a night for a one-bedroom apartment, $479 a night for two bedrooms, $609 for three bedrooms.

Distance: About 30 minutes' drive (25km) north of Gold Coast Airport, and just over an hour's drive (85km) south of Brisbane Airport.

Children: Yes.

8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise, Qld

PHONE: (07) 5635 5700

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