Sure the Gold Coast is home to glorious, sun-drenched beaches, but if you want to escape the crowds and really bliss out, then the epic array of luxe hotel pools on offer is where you’ll want to throw a towel down when the temps rise. Think: gourmet food delivered straight to your sun lounge and swim up bars slinging margaritas. Sound like the perfect day to you? Grab your togs and check out the Gold Coast’s best swimming pools.
SHERATON GRAND MIRAGE RESORT
Boasting absolute beach frontage, this five-star resort is home to one of the most beautiful pools on the Gold Coast. Fringed by palm trees, lagoons and tropical gardens, the aptly named Oasis pool is the perfect place to bask in the sunshine with the waves crashing behind you. The best bit? The swim-up pool bar of course, where the cocktails are always cold and plentiful.
Where: 71 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
JW MARRIOTT GOLD COAST RESORT & SPA
After recently taking out ‘Best Hotel Pool’ in Australia in the Uniquely Aussie Awards, JW Marriott’s slice of paradise is where you’ll want to base yourself on a sunny day. You can snorkel amongst 300 tropical fish and underwater caves in the four metre-deep sandy lagoon, cool off under a cascading waterfall and bliss out in the grotto spa. There’s also a separate fish-free fresh water pool and plenty of sun lounges to sip fresh coconuts on.
Where: 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
QT GOLD COAST
Palm Springs or Surfers Paradise? You decide. Either way the QT’s stylish pool precinct was made for long days spent sun worshipping. Snag yourself one of the Riviera-inspired cabanas and settle in for a day of pampering with bottle service, spiked boozy popsicles and a tasty a la carte menu delivered poolside. Think: cheese boards, fried chicken burgers, sashimi tacos and bug rolls. If you’re looking for one of the best pool experiences on the Gold Coast, you’ve found it.
Where: 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
PALAZZO VERSACE
Live like a movie star for the day at Palazzo Versace’s designer pool. Transporting you straight to the Italian coast, the sprawling, 63-metre plunge pool is fringed by sugar-white sand and palm trees, with the sparkling private marina providing a millionaire-dollar backdrop. You can order icy cold drinks and nibbles to your sun lounge or you can activate VIP mode by booking a private cabana complete with bubbles, oysters and a fruit plate.
Where: 94 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
CALI BEACH CLUB
Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, with sweeping views of the ocean and city skyline, Cali Beach Club is home a jaw-dropping rooftop pool, countless sun lounges and cabanas, multiple bars offering tasty poolside bites and beverages (sushi, sliders and champagne) and an outdoor moonlight cinema. They also have an incredible roster of live music you can dance to while taking a dip—previous guests include Hot Dub Time Machine and Sneaky Sound System. And the best bit? Admission is free.
Where: 21a Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
INTERCONTINENTAL SANCTUARY COVE RESORT
Nestled amongst 4.2 hectares of lush tropical gardens, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve landed in Hawaii when taking a dip in the Intercontinental’s watery oasis. The jaw-dropping one-acre-long Lagoon Beach will see you sink your toes in the sand, before floating under palm trees. Rehydrate poolside with a pitcher of sangria or an ice cold beer and refuel with tasty eats like gourmet burgers and soft shell tacos—all served straight to your sun lounge.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circuit, Hope Island
PEPPERS SOUL
If you like your pool with a breathtaking view, then Peppers Soul is the ultimate place for you. Perched on the edge of the ocean at Surfers Paradise, you can soak up the stunning vista whilst taking a dip in the 25m three-tiered pool. Post swim, grab a book and prepare to zen out on the sun lounges. If you’re feeling hungry, there’s a BBQ area in a private garden next to the pool so you can really let those holiday vibes roll.
Where: 8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.