Surf Regency

Rooms and decor

Surf Regency sits on Laycock Street on the southern end of Surfers Paradise, and reviewers love that you step out of the building and you're a few paces from the sand and the sound of the waves — it's under 100 metres from the beach. Units are 1- and 2-bedroom apartments running 50–90 sq m, so they feel more like having your own beachfront condo than a hotel room. The look is beachy, in white and pale-blue tones; the furniture is a touch older but kept clean.

Food and amenities

The thing reviewers consistently mention is how roomy every apartment is and how complete the kitchen is — electric stove, oven, microwave, a large fridge, dishwasher, toaster, coffee maker and crockery for 4–6 people, an in-room washer-dryer, and a private balcony or terrace facing the beach. Guests stock up at the nearby Woolworths, cook dinner on the balcony in the sea breeze, and run a load of washing between trips — for a family staying several nights, that kind of convenience can save hundreds of dollars. Shared facilities cover a heated saltwater outdoor pool (no sting in the eyes, easy for little kids), a jacuzzi, a sauna and a ping-pong table. There's no breakfast and no restaurant on site — the focus here is the in-room kitchen.

Location and getting there

You get free private parking in the building, one car per unit. It's about a 5-minute walk to the Cavill Avenue pedestrian street, 2 minutes to Surfers Paradise beach, and 5–6 minutes to the SkyPoint observation deck on the Q1 tower. A G:link tram stop sits nearby, which makes getting to Broadbeach or Southport easy. Real guests rate it around 8.1.

Things to know before booking

There's no breakfast and no restaurant on site, so this only works if you're happy cooking — plan a supermarket run on arrival. The starting rate runs a little high for a 3-star, but you're paying for the beachfront spot and the space rather than hotel-grade service. And it's a casually run apartment block, not a full hotel, so expect limited services and somewhat older furniture.

Our take

Surf Regency is at its best for families who want a roomy beachfront apartment for a long stay of 5–10 nights. If you're set on a relaxed run of days by the sea and you want a kitchen to cook in, this hits the mark — for a family of four, it works out far better value than booking two rooms at a 4-star.