Recently hubby and I
decided a spur of the moment, whirlwind interstate trip was in order. Our
friends were planning a Gold Coast holiday that included a 2 hour jet ski tour
to Stradbroke Island which sounded like fun, so we thought we’d tag along for a
6 day mini holiday.
We decided to spend
three nights with them at Burleigh Heads in a tried and tested budget
apartment. Then we would treat ourselves to something special at Surfers Paradise
for a couple of nights.
After much
deliberation we settled on the QT. As always, I did lots of Googling, reading
countless reviews before making the decision, but this time it was this single
phrase that summed up my incredible desire to stay there:
“If
we have to choose just one theme to sum up this funky new hotel, surely it’s
Gidget goes to Surfers Paradise.”
-
Susan Kurosawa, The Australian, 7/12/12.
It would take a
stronger person than me to resist that sort of description. I mean, Gidget! I
don’t know about you but I grew up quite remorseful that I missed that era
while watching Gidget re-runs on TV.
I love the unusual,
the retro and the unexpected. Add to that the fact it housed Bazaar restaurant
and I was sold. Described as a ‘must-do’ restaurant at Surfers, it is an
interactive international marketplace where your plate is your passport.
Yes please.
We arrived at the QT
and I was instantly in love with the decor. So fun, so hip and so colourful.
How amazing are those
chairs? I want. I might have to overhaul my entire house to accommodate them,
but still.
There is even a
welcome stand of fresh lemonade in the lobby. Small glass bottles with the most
adorable yellow and white straws nestle in a wooden crate, just waiting to be
filled.
We had reserved
the Ocean View King Suite for our stay, and the room did not disappoint.
The QT is a
fantastic hotel, but for me the joy was all in the little details. The brightly
coloured metal cups in the bathroom. I remember those! When I was growing up we
had four of these style cups in all different colours. I always wanted the
green one.
The best part
though, without a doubt was the ‘Do It Yourself” fresh lemonade. Each
room at the QT comes equipped with everything you need to make your own
lemonade ‘old school’. Just one quick call to the lobby and we had fresh lemons
and Pelegrino water to mix with the sugar syrup and stir with cool swizzle
sticks.
Ah well, all the more
reason to go back. Well that and the Vespa just begging to be taken for a ride
in the driveway.
