JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
The JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa may be my new favourite place to stay to relax and unwind at the coast, after being impressed from the moment I arrived. The JW Marriott Gold Coast opened at the tail-end of 2020, following an extensive thirty-five million dollar makeover and rebranding of the three-decade-old, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort.
The JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio of brands, which includes ultra-luxe brands like The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis, and the 223-room resort marks the debut of the brand in the Pacific region. With soaring ceilings, old rattan punkah fans swaying, sandstone floors beneath your feet, luxe decor everywhere you look, and a grand staircase drawing your eye as you enter, the JW Marriott Gold Coast certainly makes a bold first impression.
For all the must-try foodie spots at Surfers Paradise view A Foodie’s Guide to Surfers Paradise
THE ROOM.
Almost all 223 stylish, sun-drenched rooms and suites the JW Marriott feature balconies and a similar Miami-like, minimalist aesthetic, with soft sand whites and sea blues with pale timber floors.
Instead of overlooking the hinterland, we selected to upgrade to the Twin Ocean View Room, which offered views of the Pacific Ocean as well as the resort’s stunning pool below, making our balcony the perfect spot for sunset drinks. At 42 square metres, the room felt spacious and comprised a large, modern bathroom, complete with seperate bath and rain shower.
AMENITIES.
The pool at the JW Marriott Gold Coast is no ordinary hotel pool and undoubtedly one of the major selling points staying at the property - you’ll likely spend a lot of time here. As you wander outside the lobby doors you’ll find a sprawling saltwater lagoon complete with 300 tropical fish as well as waterfalls, man-made beaches, private grottos, a waterslide no less, and sun loungers galore as well as private day beds (which can be rented for a fee).
DINING.
For shareable plates and crafted cocktails, the resort’s all-day bar and lounge, Chapter & Verse is perfect. Inspired by Judith Wright’s poem Lyrebirds, you’ll notice on Chapter & Verse’s drinks list their signature cocktail, The Lyre Bird, which comes served in a vessel shaped like a bird. Located on the ground floor of the resort, the bar and lounge offers indoor and alfresco seating, extending outside to overlook the resort’s pool and surrounds.
View Chapter & Verse’s menu.
WHAT WAS ORDERED:
CHICKEN BAO Homemade steamed buns, panko crusted chicken with spicy sauce, pickled vegetables, coriander, crispy shallots.
SALT & PEPPER CALAMARI
CHEESE & CHARCUTERIE
Adjacent to Chapter & Verse is the resort’s main restaurant, Citrique, offering ocean and paddock to plate dining. For most nights of the week, Citrique is a buffet-style restaurant, with buffet breakfast served in the morning daily and a seafood market experience available in the afternoon and evening. As well as an abundance of freshly harvested seafood, the nightly buffet also features food and flavours from a particular region, with the cuisine changing each month.
The restaurant does offer a la carte options for breakfast, as well as for lunch and dinner on select weekdays.
View Citrique’s menus.
In between lounging around in the sun and dips in the resort’s various pools, you can quench your thirst and cure your hunger by ordering from The Pool Pavilion. Enjoy a selection of crowd-pleasing dishes prepared in a retro food van along with one of the many signature cocktails available - the Pina Colada served in a branded coconut is a must.
WHAT WAS ORDERED:
FISH & CHIPS Battered King George whiting, beer battered chips, tartare sauce, grilled lemon.
JW BURGER Grilled wagyu, brioche bun, Witches Chase cheddar, truffle aioli, lettuce, tomato and onion jam, shoestring fries.
PEACH BY THE BEACH Absolut Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Chambord, cranberry, orange, pineapple.
DEWY BRAMBLE Ink Gin, Chambord, blackberry, lemon, tonic.
JW PINA COLADA Malibu coconut rum, Bacardi Carta Bianca, pineapple, coconut cream served in a fresh coconut.
In addition to the above dining options, the resort also features a Japanese restaurant, Misono, where you can choose from the intimate Izakaya and live sushi table, a refined whisky bar with an outdoor terrace or teppanki dining.
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