The Best Spa Hotels and Wellness Retreats to Book on Australia's Gold Coast

This high rise stay has modern interiors and is a quick jaunt to the beach for those early morning sunrise walks. Polished rooms feature balconies with sea or mountain views, along with separate tubs and showers. Larger units have kitchenettes or you can dine onsite with several choices including Japanese with a live sushi table. Chill by the lagoon-style pool with waterfalls, whirlpools, and cabanas — but don’t forget about treatments at the spa with body wraps, scrubs, facials, and massages. There’s also a fitness centre, sauna, steam room and tennis court.

A ten-minute drive to the coast, this family resort capitalises on views of manicured greenery thanks to the 27-hole golf course. Choose between a range of rooms and suites that help you unplug with complimentary newspapers. The day spa is a standout with spacious treatment rooms, unique water therapies and an outdoor relaxation area with views. Choose between affordable packages that combine several treatments like muscle soothing, express facials and body scrubs. Along with golf and the spa, there is a kids waterpark and eight dining and drinking options. Don’t miss afternoon tea or sunset drinks with panoramic views on the 21st floor.

The Star Grand is the more luxurious section of a glitzy hotel and casino a short walk to Broadbeach. Rooms come with plush bedding and designer bath amenities, while chic dining options range from an upscale Japanese restaurant to the Garden Kitchen whipping up quinoa bowls with smoked ricotta. When not at the beach or outdoor pool, the Azure Spa offers a sauna and fitness centre, plus a wide range of treatments like the two-hour Deep Sea Body Indulgence. Six treatment rooms include a space for couples and a cabana for outdoor massages.

These two high rise towers boast glorious views of the ocean and quick access to the sand. There are only apartments here with full kitchens and balconies, while palatial three-bedroom Sky Homes have the best views. Facials, massages and special body treatments are available at the organic Endota Spa or opt for unique options like the Pregnancy Pick Me Up with a footbath and facial. Other amenities include an outdoor resort pool, an indoor lap pool, a gym, sauna and steam room, plus a Tai Chi lawn. Snag one of the shared teppanyaki barbecues and whip up your own Japanese feast or head to nearby restaurants like Yellowfin Seafood with programs allowing you to charge your meal to your room.

You know it’s a see-and-be-seen hotel when the outdoor pool is painted in stripes and private cabanas offer bottle service. Inside, trendy interiors add to the hip vibe, drawing young travellers with disposable income. Stylish rooms have blonde wood floors and bright pops of colour along with floor to ceiling windows and balconies. Check out various food and beverage outlets with Instagram-ready spaces — some that stay healthy with booze-free cocktails and smoothies. After a day at the beach (a block away), hit the spa for a range of treatments and services like the Plush Princess that combines body exfoliation, a massage and a facial using plant extracts.

A quick hop from Surfers Paradise, these stylish suites come with unexpected coastal design elements like carpeting that resembles tie-dye. Dine on seared scallops at the gorgeous restaurant on the main floor; there’s also a chilled cafe serving eggs and barista coffee. Other amenities include two pools, a fitness centre, and L’Aqua Day Spa with healing facials, prenatal massages, and babymoon treatments. If you are staying here with your honey, pick a relaxing couple’s massage or marriage pamper package.

The French-based Accor hotel brand has a prime spot on the Gold Coast a block from the beach. Simple rooms are nothing to write home about, but that all changes when it comes to the renovated deluxe rooms with soothing textures, wooden floors and lotus flower backsplashes that have a spa-like vibe. Ironically, there isn’t a day spa here, but you can stay fit and relaxed with a range of activities on the fifth floor with ocean views. Here you’ll find an outdoor heated swimming pool and jetted spa, as well as a fitness centre and a synthetic grass tennis court. Flexible dining options include picnic takeaways for the beach, à la carte menus at the various restaurants and a choice of bars (including a rooftop) that can serve wings and beer or oysters and champagne, depending on your mood.

The best part of this hotel’s sleek design? Each of the beachfront apartments with up to four bedrooms face the ocean with sliding doors to let in the breeze. All rooms have chic, simplistic decor in earthy tones, while the best come with private plunge pools. Stay healthy with a fitness centre, lap pool, sauna and steam room. The outdoor pool overlooks the beach, reminding you that the ocean is there for the taking. Dine on Mediterranean fare at the onsite restaurant, a popular place with locals and visitors thanks to DJ music, tapas-like charcuterie and fish tacos, and some banging signature cocktails.

It’s a cinch to find this hotel and spa off the beach — just look for the tallest building in the Gold Coast, complete with a 230m (755ft) SkyPoint Observation Deck. Spacious apartments have full kitchens, glass-enclosed balconies and whirlpool tubs. Book treatments at the eco-friendly wellness spa with eight suites, followed by sorbet or herbal tea in the relaxation room. Other amenities include two outdoor pools, an indoor lap pool, male and female steam and sauna rooms and a fitness centre. When not cooking in your unit, pick between a vertiginous bistro at the observation deck or head back to terra firma for gourmet burgers and craft beers.