By Jane Cadzow
Soul Surfers Paradise
The location
Surfers Paradise is the hub of the Gold Coast, the holiday destination that has grown into the sixth-largest city in Australia. Bars and boutiques abound, but the main attraction is the sparkling Pacific and the beach that stretches south to NSW.
The place
Soul is a 77-storey apartment tower on the beachfront. The lobby, with its nine-metre ceiling and marble staircase, sets the tone: this is an elegant, no-expense-spared establishment. The 287 apartments have wrap-around balconies with sweeping views. Lounge by the outdoor pool or exercise in the 25-metre indoor pool.
The experience
In the 50 years since Meter Maids in bikinis first strolled the streets, feeding coins into expired parking meters and posing for happy-snaps with holiday-makers who stayed in motels with names like The Pink Poodle, Surfers Paradise has been completely rebuilt. It now has the skyline of a thrusting metropolis, though some of the raffish atmosphere remains: the Prada, Louis Vuitton and Gucci boutiques in Elkhorn Avenue co-exist with the kebab shops of Cavill Mall. The Meter Maids are still here, but these days wear Akubras, not tiaras, and charge $5 for a photo opportunity.
Don't miss
Smelling the salt air on the breeze. The sybaritic delight of staying in a place like Soul is best appreciated after a long walk on the beach or a bracing plunge into the ocean. Gin-and-tonic on the balcony tastes better when taken with sand between the toes.
Need to know
Cost: From $349 a night for a one-bedroom apartment, $479 a night for two bedrooms, $609 for three bedrooms.
Distance: About 30 minutes' drive (25km) north of Gold Coast Airport, and just over an hour's drive (85km) south of Brisbane Airport.
Children: Yes.
8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise, Qld
PHONE: (07) 5635 5700
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.