Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach

Although I complied with Accor's earlier email to check-in online, apparently another rather lengthy check-in was deemed necessary when we arrived. I discovered we got charged an extra $ 30 for "ocean view", something that came as a surprise. They charge $ 50 per night to park your car in the carpark underneath. We got room 1004, which was generous in size with a very comfortable bed, desk and plenty of storage. The decor feels rather dated, but everything you need is there, including a small Nespresso machine with some pods. The "ocean view" is simply not there ; instead you overlook ugly rooftops and the building sites in Vic square. On Saturday night the noise of bars and nightclubs was really loud and went on till early Sunday morning ; it would appear there's no soundproofing. The bathroom is excellent with both walk-in shower and bath ; nice Balmain pump bottles. Breakfast is on floor 3 and, true to Sofitel standards, is high quality - but at $ 50 per person, you'd expect that. The room itself feels cold and cafetaria-like and needs re-designing to make it more intimate. We had some drinks in both the bars, because the main one closed ridiculously early (10pm I think). The Sports Bar is more an Australian Pub, with gaming machines and large TV screens. Overal, the Sofitel Broadbeach has a sensational location, has spaceous rooms and good breakfast. But to keep the "Sofitel" label it needs a renovation. Or re-brand to Mercure.

Firstly, the staff make this hotel, they are amazing so polite and wherever you go they are just so polite and helpful. The room is dated but has been refurnished, we stayed in a superior king room the view to the ocean is lovely. Negative points I only drink cold water and to get to a 5 star hotel and find out that they do not agree with plastic water bottles and do not stock plastic in rooms is fine but please put at least a glass bottle / jug in the fridge so that I can fill it and chill water, same no milk in the fridge, coffee and tea supplied but no milk. I thought that the 2 bottles of water in the mini bar were complementary but no I was charged for them and then they were not replaced for the rest of the stay. Pool is lovely but not deep enough for adults 1.2m I think at the deepest part. The pillows are terrible every 5 star I have stayed in has a pillow menu, these were terrible Kmart has better, but we phoned reception and they did send up 2 firmer latex pillows, which were still cheap but folded over were ok. In brief fabulous location, fabulous staff rest a bit downhill

The hotel itself is still worthy of a 5-star rating in my opinion. The lobby is large and airy within a large void, concierge is attentive, and various function rooms are available on the lower floors. Our room was large and well-furnished and the larger than average bathroom, despite showing its age (the hotel is 30yo), is still perfectly functional. Breakfast in the restaurant on Level 3 is par for the course, with comprehensive offerings but not outstanding. What was welcome though is that barista coffee did not attract an extra surcharge, unlike other establishments we have stayed at. Location is perfect. Our only grievance is with the pools. The main pool is only 1.2m deep. Staff say that it is 'kid friendly' but that's a cop out. The access into the pool is via two large steps, at least 0.5m each, which makes it very difficult for adults with mobility issues to enter and exit. And once in the pool, you have to squat to enjoy the feeling of the water up to your neck. Surrounding the pool is a timber deck which becomes slippery, and there is nowhere near enough shade for people enjoying the loungers. The other (smaller) pool, located adjacent, does have many small steps into it, but the pool itself is 2.2m deep and there is no facility for poor swimmers to hang onto any ledging, nor is there any seating ledge in the pool. It is unfriendly. This is a great hotel in a perfect location if your priority does not include using the pools. Four stars instead of five because of that.

Don't expect this to be a Sofitel. At best it's a basic mercure level offering. Not even novotel level. No lounge, gym is the size of 3 beds, bathroom amenities reduced fr9m Sofitel standards, beds are crap. Rooms not updated, but even worse were never to sofitel standard. Everything is crumbling. Bathrooms have holes, broken tiles etc... Breakfast buffet not to Sofitel standards. Book the novotel instead. Cheaper and possibly better.

Thank you to the outstanding Team and Team at the Sofitel Broadbeach. Service from the whole Team from Hotel entrance to checking in, concierge directing us to our room was impeccable. Great views from our room on the 11th Floor, we all loved the marble bathroom. Breakfast is excellent, great variety, fresh and plentiful. The Chia is yummy, we spoke to one of the Chef Team Adsa who prepared, giving us her recipe. Vianne is an absolute GEM, Guest Experience Manager, my family and I chatted with her at Breakfast. Great to see the Senior Team engaging with us guests. Top stay at a great hotel on the Gold Coast. Thank you.