The ultimate couples’ guide to the best romantic getaways on the Gold Coast
While it’s no “Roman Holiday” trip, the Gold Coast offers visitors a truly unique time for couples to enjoy each other’s company without disturbance. No drama, no work (we mean it—strictly no work!), and maybe a glass of cocktail or two as the sun sets.
If it’s romance we’re talking about, you can trust that the city has plenty of that. We’re talking about fine dining at luxury hotels and appreciating the wilderness beauty in nature retreats.
Sounds dreamy? Let’s make it a reality, then!
With the help of this guide to the best romantic getaways on the Gold Coast, you’ll experience an unforgettable stay you and your partner can always reminisce about.
Luxury beachfront escapades
From a full view of the Pacific Ocean to 5-star service, the city provides premium comfort for couples to enjoy all it has to offer.
Imperial Hotel Gold Coast
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Location: 94 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach
Contact: [email protected], [email protected], 61 7 5509 8000
Formerly known as the Versace Hotel, the Imperial Hotel Gold Coast offers a true 5-star luxury experience for couples looking to enjoy their vacation with timeless elegance.
Despite the rebrand, the hotel retains its Versace aesthetic, with its Italian-inspired architecture, wide white halls, and giant chandeliers in the reception area.
Let’s not forget the amenities. It includes glamorous ballroom galas, fine dining, and the “Oval Office-style” meeting rooms.
Guests can also splurge on the hotel’s amenities and feel like royalties for their stay.
Through the Cabana Pool Oasis, you can enjoy a tour around the city with the hotel’s two bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantoms. As a bonus, it comes with manicure and spa services!
Couples can then end their day with a relaxing dip at the Imperial’s aromatic baths, complete with lotion and body creams to emulate a heavenly experience.
Most of its facilities and rooms can be rented for wedding events, which the hotel also hosts.
Pro tip:
Visitors are advised to regularly check the amenities and facilities available on their reservation package days ahead of their stay. The hotel management doesn’t always update the full scope of the guest package, which may cause confusion.
The Langham Gold Coast
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Location: 38 Old Burleigh Rd, Surfers Paradise
Contact: [email protected], 61 (7) 5638 8888
The Langham Gold Coast offers visitors a full view of Surfers Paradise–in all its glory–right from their balconies.
Geared towards events and huge celebrations, this beachfront hotel has a wide selection of rooms for every occasion, including weddings and corporate events.
It even offers a special poolside dinner, perfect for couples looking for serene date night ideas near their accommodations.
If guests enjoyed their time at the Langham, they can opt to make the hotel their new home with its Jewel Residences.
The high-rise apartment rooms offer picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, all equipped with modern equipment and luxury furniture for a comfortable stay. The four-bedroom penthouse even provides a full 180 view of the ocean and the hinterlands.
Pro tip:
The hotel often receives numerous guests during summer and holidays, pushing its staff to their limits. If you’re visiting during these days, regularly remind staff of your needs, as they can easily forget about it due to the number of other guests being attended.
Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach
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Location: The Oasis, 81 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Contact: [email protected], +61 (07) 5592 2250, +61 (07) 5592 3747
What happens when Parisian sophistication meets the Australian coast’s natural beauty? You get the Sofitel Gold Coast—a destination that offers guests a 5-star luxury stay with premium views of the Pacific.
From the architecture to the wine, guests will find everything authentic French-made. They are even greeted with a glass of true French champagne upon arrival.
The all-encompassing luxury experience extends to its dining services. These allow guests to choose from multiple dishes and preparations, including room deliveries, fine dining, and lounge snacks.
Couples bringing their kids to the hotel also won’t have a hard time. The Sofitel has an exclusive package for families to discover the city’s best.
Booking with children and grandchildren even gives guests a 50% discount during their first stay at the hotel.
Guests planning their wedding at Sofitel can also enjoy the full glam amenities. From leisure spas to industry-standard hair and makeup, the Sofitel has its customers covered.
Pro tip:
Despite their price, the hotel’s “Ocean view” rooms don’t provide the full coast scenery due to the high-rise buildings in front. It’s better to secure a room near the pool, where guests can enjoy the sunset in full view.
Romantic nature retreats at the hinterlands
High-rise hotels aren’t the only romantic accommodations on the Gold Coast. If you’re looking for relaxation and nature’s comfort, the city has numerous nature conservation areas and lodgings across its wild hinterlands.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
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Location: 3582 Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra
Contact: [email protected]
Located at the start of the Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is a popular resting spot for hikers preparing to brave the long trails ahead.
It’s also a famous romantic retreat for couples looking to feel close to nature.
For one, the retreat offers bird walks in the morning and spotlight tours of the local nocturnal wildlife.
This is in addition to the various transportation methods the lodging provides for a leisure stroll in the rainforest. This includes segways, e-bikes, 4-wheeler trucks, and ziplines.
Despite its location, guests won’t have to worry about accommodations. The villa has WiFi, air conditioning, and other amenities to make people’s stay as comfortable as possible.
Guests availing of the Summer Special package are even afforded access to movies, shows, and educational documentaries. It’s perfect for couples to unwind after a whole day of adventure in the wilderness.
The 5-star hotel service quality also extends to the food and dining. Its breakfast buffet, in particular, offers the same food seen in luxury hotels downtown.
Guests are also afforded complimentary wine each morning.
It was no wonder the villa is a common wedding, corporate, and honeymoon destination for its relaxing atmosphere.
Pro tip:
The road leading to the retreat is often under renovation. Guests traveling by car are advised to take extra caution going up and down the winding path.
Songbirds Rainforest Retreat
– Media credit: experience_songbirds
Location: 232 Geissmann Dr, Tamborine Mountain
Contact: [email protected], +61 433 983 693
Like its name, the Songbirds Rainforest Retreat offers guests relaxing accommodations while listening to Tamborine Mountain’s endemic birds.
With multiple amenities like forest picnic and wine with truffles, the retreat is perfect as a romantic destination for honeymoons and wedding anniversaries.
Couples can also opt to have romantic rose petals prepared in the bed for just $40.
The rainforest restaurant is particularly popular among guests for its fine dining and ambiance, especially the wood fire burning at the center. It makes it feel like a luxury campsite.
More than the view, the villa also provides couples with numerous relaxation activities they can enjoy together. These include spa massages and encounters with alpacas and peacocks.
From deep tissue massage to hot stone therapy, guests are sure to relieve their stress and tension during their stay at Songbirds.
Pro tip:
Finding the villa may be difficult at night due to the lack of signage and directions. The faunas blocking the retreat’s only entrance didn’t help.
Guests are advised to regularly check their GPS devices and maps to avoid getting lost.
Binna Burra Lodge
– Media credit: binnaburra
Location: 1040 Binna Burra Rd, Beechmont
Contact: [email protected], +61 7 5533 3622
Hours: Open 24 hours
Binna Burra Lodge’s greatest takeaway is the breathtaking top view of the Gondwana Rainforest.
Like O’Reilly’s, the lodge is also a popular resting spot for hikers traveling the multiple Lamington National Park trails.
Couples looking to explore the rainforest won’t have a boring time during their stay at Binna Burra, thanks to the constant friendly company of other adventurers.
In addition to its modern accommodations, guests can enjoy some thrill while viewing the rainforest with some nature adventures.
The most popular include cliffside rappelling and a 200-meter-high mega zipline for a full landscape of the Bellbird clearing, the Binna Burra Lodge, and the whole forest.
Guests can also enjoy nature a bit closer to the lodge’s campsite. Of course, they won’t need to worry about equipment, as the retreat rents out essential camping items.
Pro tip:
Since the lodges are mainly made of wood, guests might not find the quiet and comfort they expected at the villa. To still enjoy the stay at Binna Burra, it’s better to bring earplugs and noise-canceling devices for peaceful sleep.
One-of-a-kind romantic destinations
The Gold Coast offers many facilities and establishments for people to build unique experiences in the city. We’re putting a spotlight on luxury camping sites, where stunning nature reserves meet modern comfort.
Clouds on Beechmont
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Location: 1805 Beechmont Rd, Beechmont
Contact: [email protected], +61 7 5533 3593
Listed among the top Airbnb spots at Beechmont, Clouds on Beechmont offers a cozy stay near the Rosins Lookout Conservation Park.
Whether it’s the ‘50s vibes with the Old Saint John Church or the amazing views at the veranda of Cloud Chalet, guests can choose how they would want to enjoy nature’s beauty at their leisure.
However, the Clouds Safari particularly remains one of its most popular accommodations for the luxury camping experience it provides.
The bungalow hut has a panoramic view of the valley and is surrounded by local greenery and exotic animals from the nearby private enclosure.
Couples will particularly enjoy the aromatic bath overlooking the forest, perfect for a romantic lookout at their most intimate moments.
Outside of the stunning views, the Clouds Safari is a great starting point for guests planning to hike the Lamington trails due to its proximity to some paths.
Pro tip:
Be sure to schedule a clean-up before arriving at the accommodations. The place rarely gets a visit outside of summer and the holidays, causing many facilities to be dirty and unmaintained.
Nightfall
– Media credit: nightfall camp
Location: 3009 Christmas Creek Rd, Lamington
Contact: [email protected], +61 7 5544 8070
Right in the heart of Lamington National Park, Glamping at Nightfall offers a luxury experience infused with the wilderness’ natural beauty.
Guests can unplug from society and enjoy the company of birds and the creek’s sound, as the place is far away from the city’s noise.
If relaxation isn’t enough, guests can also explore the nearby creek and the relatively untouched forest pocket for some wildlife encounters.
Nightfall would even provide maps, step-by-step instructions, and a picnic lunch to make its guests’ journey smooth and comfortable.
Following the trails, explorers can encounter famous historical landmarks like the Morans Creek Cairn and the Binna Burra Lodge, which played significant parts in the Gold Coast’s history.
After a long day of exploring, couples can unwind together with massage therapy and enjoy the serene view while being attended by industry-standard professionals.
Then by morning, guests can revitalize their bodies with private yoga classes in their tents or by the creek.
Pro tip:
Guests are advised to regularly check their GPS devices and maps when looking for the camping site. The villa’s path is only made of gravel and trees flanking each side, making it difficult to spot at night or when driving fast.
Tamborine Mountain Glades
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Location: Tamborine Mountain Rd &, Cedar Creek Falls Rd, Tamborine Mountain
Contact: [email protected], +61 7 5545 7900
Tamborine Mountain Glades has a wide range of amenities and accommodations guests can enjoy. These include outdoor jacuzzis, hot air balloon tours, a nature-based sauna and spa, and more.
Guests can also indulge themselves in some nature adventures at the Glades’ Thunderbird Park for adrenaline-pumping tree hopping, rappelling, and laser tag battles.
Children will particularly like egg hunts, digging activities, and a leisure swim at the rock pools.
If that’s not enough, folks can cap their day off with close encounters with wildlife at the park enclosure. They can also enjoy a good pickleball or mini-golf game to work up some sweat.
Then, after playing and exploring, guests can unwind at the Rainforest Restaurant and the Terrace Cafe for some organic dishes while looking at scenic views of the forest.
Pro tip:
Be sure to bring your own water when staying at Tamborine Mountain Glades. Several customers complained of heavily chlorinated drinking water.
The only alternative would be the $10 water bottles at the restaurant. As the place is far from most establishments, guests would have to drive miles just to get affordable water.