Finding accommodation that suits a family with teens can often be challenging. You want to give them some freedom and a room of their own, especially if they are older, but you also want to have them close and know their comings and goings.
If you’re traveling to the Gold Coast then I recommend a two-bedroom suite at Australis Sovereign Hotel Surfers Paradise. This resort-style hotel, located on Ferny Avenue, is ideal for families, as it’s close to the beach and within easy walking distance of Cavill Avenue shopping strip.
The two-bedroom suite consists of two separate hotel rooms with their own adjacent doors off a small entrance way, accessed by a separate door from the hallway. This gives added privacy and you can wedge the individual room doors open – so you don’t have to leave your room and go into the public hallway to knock on the teen’s door to give them the inevitable hurry-up.
The décor is not designer chic, but definitely comfortable and family-friendly. Both rooms are self-contained, with their own bathrooms (a plus with teenage girls) with Peter Morrissey toiletries. There are tea and coffee making facilities, iron and ironing board (as if the kids will use that!) and television with pay per view movies and Foxtel. There’s also high-speed Wi-fi – the first thing phone-addicted teens look for – a blessing or a curse, depending on your attitude. (While the daily rate is not cheap at $19.95 the weekly rate of $49.95 is better value.)
The larger of the two rooms is a generous size with a lounge area, dining table and kitchenette with dishwasher and microwave, while the bedroom has a queen-size bed.
The second room is more typical hotel style, but also has a two-person dining table and chairs along with twin single beds. Both rooms have balconies with table and chairs, an essential feature for holiday accommodation in my book.
Flavours Restaurant and Bar is conveniently located next to the swimming pool and offers breakfast lunch and dinner, an easy option if you don’t want to prepare meals in the room.
A girlfriend and I recently stayed in the two bedroom suite (courtesy of Australis Hotels) while attending a conference on the Gold Coast. As we were both coming and going at different times the separate entrances worked well, as it meant we were not disturbing each other. Unfortunately, we were so busy at the conference I didn’t get to try out the restaurant or the pool!
My twin room could have done with another power point, ideally near the table, as the one for the kettle was so close to the shelf above I couldn’t fit my fancy 4-USB power charger in it, and the shower lacked a soap holder. But these are minor quibbles and overall the two-bedroom suite suited us perfectly and would also work well for two couples (and be a bargain with a starting price from $285 per night).
And it’s ideally suited to teens. They will feel like they have a room of their own – and you won’t have to trip over their mess on the floor.
Australis Sovereign Hotel
138 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Tel: +61 7 5579 3888 or 1300 272 132
Email: [email protected]
www.silverneedlehotels.com/australis/surfers-paradise-sovereign
