Why Q1 feels like coming home
If I said “Q1” to you, there is a good chance that some of you would have no idea what I was talking about. So, let me elaborate.
Q1 is a 4.5-star luxury hotel sitting proudly in the heart of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. It opened its doors in November 2005, and 21 years later, I can safely say I have lost count of how many times I have walked through those doors.
For Mark and me, Q1 was more than just a place to stay. It was where we escaped, relaxed, laughed, and created memories. We took trips there on our own, and we introduced others to the magic of a short stay at this iconic spot. My mother-in-law is what I would call a Q1 veteran, she absolutely loves it.
But life changes, and so do the people we share these places with. After losing Mark and Mum, Q1 has taken on a new meaning. Now it’s Dad and me who are adding new chapters, new memories, and new reasons to return to this beautiful slice of the Gold Coast.
So, welcome back to Q1
Getting There
One of the notable things about travelling from the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast is that it’s close enough for a spontaneous weekend away, yet far enough away that you feel like you have had a holiday and escaped everyday life.
Heading south from the Sunshine Coast always feels like the start of a holiday. The destination is under three hours away, the drive itself being an easy one. After leaving behind the relaxation of the Sunshine Coast, you hit some traffic through Brisbane, only to be expected on an average morning. The Bruce Highway then stretches into the Pacific Motorway and the landscape slowly transforms. You pass shopping centres, theme parks and before you know it, the familiar landscape of the Gold Coast is seen on the skyline.
I’ve travelled this route many, many times now. Travelling does mean a few rituals. Coffee at home being the first one. I am the designated “entertainments officer” on a trip which means that the playlist is down to me. Lunch before we get to Q1 is necessary, and there is only one place. The Fox & Hounds. This is an English style pub with traditional English fare. I’m talking liver and bacon, toad in the hole, roast dinners…you get my drift!
After lunch (toad in the hole & an extra Yorkshire pudding, incase you were wondering!) the journey restarts for those last few kilometres and pretty soon, the Gold Coast skyline presents itself in all her glory. Seeing Q1 standing proudly above other towers, gives me that sense of welcome. Even after 21 years, it still feels the same.
First Impressions
First impressions start with when you get out of the car outside reception. Stand there and look up, I dare you. That’s the first thing you should do. See the building in all its glory. It is a stunning sight. The sheer height and magnitude of the building is something special.
Now until you walk into reception and check in, you have no idea of which floor you will be on. When you find out and head up in the lift, your next “first impressions” happen as you open the door for your stay.
Where I stayed
I have stayed in Q1 many times. I’ve stayed on floors in the 20s, 30s and 40s. This time for my stay in Q1, I stayed in apartment 4004 on the 40th floor. I have stayed in this one before and asked for it again this time. Why? Because of the first impressions of the apartment. Huge windows, an endless expanse of ocean and a 180 degree view that stops you in your tracks. It does not disappoint.
The hotel’s location is almost beachfront. The views are magnificent. The space is perfect. Wifi is free and fast. I would describe 4004 as “beautifully ordinary with an amazing view. You can see buildings, mountains, and sea.” It’s comfortable and you have everything you need for your stay.
Exploring
One of the joys of exploring is stumbling across places you never knew existed. Head left and you will be greeted by the golden sands and sparkling waters of the Coral Sea, where the beach stretches as far as the eye can see. Turn right and you will find yourself on Surfers Paradise Boulevard, leading straight into the pedestrian heart of the Glitter Strip, where the energy of the Gold Coast is impossible to ignore.
Wander along the central promenade and simply soak it all in. Sign up for a surf lesson if you have always wanted to ride a wave, grab a late-night kebab after an evening out, sip cocktails as the sun goes down, or spend hours browsing everything from souvenir shops to boutique retailers. Street performers entertain the crowds, live music drifts through the air, and there is always something happening. Whether you’re chasing adventure, delicious food, a little retail therapy or simply the unmistakable atmosphere of Surfers Paradise, this vibrant stretch has a way of drawing you in and making you want to stay just a little longer.
Food and Drink
The coast is home to many eateries. The first of which, and a favourite of mine, is right downstairs in the hotel. Longboards Bar is downstairs and looks out onto the pool and the hotel. The menu is simple; the cocktails are beautiful and you never have far to walk home.
Heading down to the pedestrianised area of Surfers Paradise will leave you spoilt for choice. You can choose from Wahlburgers. Grill`d Burgers. The Sporting Globe Pub. There are so many to choose from.
There are several craft breweries in the area too. Precinct Brewing is one of them. You can also find Balter Brewing. Most breweries serve food too but a word of caution, check opening hours before you go as some are limited to weekend opening only.
There are too many favourite dishes that I could share. Cajun popcorn chicken at Longboards Bar is one of my absolute favourites. It’s a simple dish, and coupled with their Texas bbq sauce and a strawberry Capricoska cocktail, what more do you need?
Hidden Gems
While the Home of the Arts is on the map, it’s somewhere in my 21 years here that I have never been. It covers a precinct quite close to Surfers, but the parkland surrounds make you feel you’re somewhere else entirely. Worth a visit.
My second hidden gem is Pineapple Tours If you want to see the Gold Coast and Tamborine Mountain without spending half your holiday figuring out where to go, these guys have you covered. They specialise in food and wine tours, personalised travel experiences, and hop-on hop-off sightseeing, putting together the kind of days that let you enjoy the place rather than simply ticking off the tourist list. Their tours take you beyond the obvious, with stops at award-winning wineries, distilleries, scenic lookouts, and some of the region’s hidden gems. Add tasty food, fine wine and some seriously beautiful scenery, and you have got an enjoyable way to spend a day.
My final hidden gem is Coombabah Reserve and Mangrove Walks. A 25-minute car drive from Q1 takes you to the lake and reserve. Six trails are on offer, from 1km through to 9km, all of which offer up the chance to see wildlife in its own environment.
What not to Miss
Here are my top five things that are not to be missed. The first may surprise you.
- Staying in your room with snacks and wine while you watch the view out to sea and see the world rush by. Nothing beats this. Knowing that you have all the time in the world.
- Skypoint Buffet Breakfast – worth every cent of the money. Take a trip to the 77th floor of Q1 and marvel at the view. Enjoy the breakfast buffet where you can quite literally have anything you want from cooked breakfast, to toast, to danish, to fruit, to cereal. You name it, they have it.
- Walking through the focal area of Surfers in the evening. There is something magical about watching world tourists photograph themselves under the famous Surfers Paradise sign. Plus, you can bar hop while you’re doing it.
- House Down Under is a treat for all ages and fun to do. Something unusual and quirky that you can’t do anywhere else locally.
- Having a drive out to Tamborine Mountain. The mountain has everything. Food, drink, shops, a distillery, a winery, a pottery, a clock shop, national park, an English pub and more. It is an hour inland from Q1 and if you make a day of it, you can drive back taking a different path, seeing other areas on the way back.
Things to know before you go
Before you hit that button and book your stay at Q1, there are several things worth knowing. The Gold Coast is at its busiest over Christmas and through all Queensland school holidays. For best prices and a quieter experience, head down to the coast in late autumn through to early spring.
Booking in advance is highly beneficial especially if you are considering booking an apartment that is ocean facing or one at a higher level. If you’re driving, park up the car in Q1s secure parking and explore on foot and the G Link light rail. Q1 is classed as a luxury 4.5 star stay, but being an equipped apartment means meals can be prepared and eaten before you head out for the day saving you money.
Pack for the subtropical climate. Bring lightweight clothing, comfortable walking shoes, swimmers, sunscreen, and a hat essential for most of the year. Even in winter, daytime temperatures are usually pleasant, although a light jacket may be required for the evenings. The resort is family-friendly and accessible, with lifts serving all levels and spacious apartments making longer stays particularly comfortable.
While you could enjoy Q1 as a weekend escape, I would recommend at least three or four nights to genuinely appreciate everything the resort and Surfers Paradise have to offer. That gives you enough time to relax by the pools, visit the SkyPoint Observation Deck, explore the beaches, and still leave feeling like you have had a proper holiday rather than just a quick getaway.
Would I return?
Absolutely, and I think my track record speaks for itself. I have stayed at Q1 five of the last six years, and that tells you everything you need to know. In a world where there are countless accommodation options on the Gold Coast, I keep finding myself booking the same place. Not because it is the newest building. Not because it is the trendiest address. But because it consistently delivers the kind of holiday I want.
The apartments are spacious, the views are spectacular, the location is hard to beat, and after so many visits it almost feels familiar. There is something comforting about walking into a place that already holds happy memories while still managing to create new ones.
Is it perfect? No. Like anywhere that has been around for more than two decades, there are areas that could benefit from updates. But those minor imperfections have never outweighed everything Q1 does well. For me, the positives have always far exceeded the negatives.
When I am planning a Gold Coast getaway, Q1 is still the benchmark I compare everything else against. That says a lot.
The verdict
Q1 and Surfers Paradise is a location that’s perfect for families. It is one that is perfect for couples who want some nights out bar-hopping the local scene. One that even suits the singles amongst us. It is probably not as suitable for OAP couples but that being said, it depends on what you are looking for in your trip.
The hotel and area works for me because it ticks every box.
Not too far away✔️
Good places to eat and drink✔️
Hotel enables you to relax✔️
Plenty to do within an hours drive if you want a day out✔️
If someone asked me why I come back again and again, the answer to that is easy. The staff say, “welcome back” and not “welcome to….” It is like coming home.
