Seven of the best hotels to check in to in the Gold Coast

From designer haunts to family-friendly establishments, here's the full list.

JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa: Is there any box this five-star property - about five minutes' walk to Surfers Paradise beach - doesn't tick? Kids will love the lagoon-style pool with slides and waterfalls, not to mention the exhaustive buffets at Citrique restaurant. Adults will enjoy the onsite spa and guestrooms with 180-degree water views. And gourmands will find it hard to resist the food and theatrics at the teppanyaki-style restaurant, Misono.

Even keen Instagrammers will be in seventh heaven: whether you're in the hotel's high-ceilinged lobby with a grand central staircase or at the Chapter & Verse bar, there's a Kodak moment at every turn. From $379 per room, per night; marriott.com

Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise: The name says it all. You're in the middle of all the touristy action of the Gold Coast when you check into this shining high-rise hotel. The creamy sands of Surfers Paradise are right out the door, and the bustling bars, restaurants, cafes, boutiques and buskers of Cavill Avenue are all a surfboard's throw away. But that doesn't mean peace is compromised. Retreat into one of the hotel's contemporary one-, two-, three- or four-bedroom apartments to block off all the noise. Or - if budget permits - turn up the wow factor in one of the apartments with private plunge pools or in the two-storey sub penthouse with panoramic views. From $388 per apartment, per night; peppers.com.au

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QT Gold Coast: You can drag yourself out of your bed and simply walk barefoot to Surfers Paradise beach from this property - it's that close to the Pacific.

But you may decide to just stay put at the hotel's Hamptons-inspired swimming pool, instead, with light-grey sun loungers and striped parasols. But in the end it's the hotel's designer touches - Missoni robes in the closet and vivid hues in the lobby - that truly steal the show. From $329 per room, per night; qthotels.com/gold-coast

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort: Getting to one of the Gold Coast's most famous theme parks, Sea World, is a piece of cake - just three minutes by car - when you stay at this property with six hectares of sparkling lagoons and tropical gardens. The swimming pools are enormous, but if it gets busy, the wide open Main Beach is right next to you.

Even the smallest rooms offer 43 square metres of space with options for either one king-sized bed or two queen-sized beds, making them ideal for small families. But if more space is desired, check into one of the villas, with fully equipped kitchens, separate living areas and laundry facilities. From $349 per room, per night; marriott.com

The Darling: There are no rooms at this shiny hotel - part of the Star Gold Coast complex - just suites and penthouses. Check in to the entry-level Stellar Suite, with about 80 square metres of real estate and ensuites featuring twin sinks and deep bathtubs; or splash out by booking one of the penthouses, with sweeping city views - one has a spa of its own; another has a billiard suite. From $799 per room, per night; star.com.au

This property offers all the conveniences of five-star hotels - from 24-hour reception and free Wi-Fi to a state-of-the-art gym and an onsite restaurant. Oh, and did we mention the outdoor swimming pool with more water views? From $179 per room, per night; vibehotels.com

The Langham: With its clean lines, a pared-back palette and less-is-more ethos, the fairly new Langham hotel is a breath of fresh air on the Gold Coast, where bling often takes centre stage.

Soak up the elegance in one of the guest rooms, where views from floor-to-ceiling windows do most of the talking, or make your way to the sophisticated Chuan Spa where you can dial up the Zen factor with relaxing body rituals. Just don't forget to set aside some time for the hotel's outdoor lagoon-style pool with ocean views and a swim-up bar. From $428 per room, per night; langhamhotels.com