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Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort has undergone numerous transformations because it first launched, to nice fanfare again within the late Nineteen Eighties, with the assistance of superstars Whitney Houston and Frank Sinatra. Sanctuary Cove is within the north of the Gold Coast, above Surfers Paradise. The gated group is stuffed with villas and flats utilized by each holidaymakers and everlasting residents. Situated adjoining to 3 separate golf programs, together with the famend The Pines, it is common to see the locals zooming about on the roads in golf carts. Even the native grocery store has devoted cart parking. It is also residence to a big marina the place big and costly yachts might be gawked at.

THE LOOK

On the sting of the titular cove, the resort’s 251 rooms suites are in wings unfold out from the central foyer constructing. Intercontinental took over the expansive property in 2012 and through the pandemic it underwent a $6 million renovation, together with updating the color schemes to blue, olive inexperienced, gray and white and changing all of the furnishings. The sunshine, vibrant decor is befitting its Gold Coast location.

The “Grand Home” – residence to reception, a bar and the resort’s two eating places – with its excessive ceilings and timber beams, manages to stroll the road between the grand lodge entries of a few of the Intercontinental’s metropolis properties and the extra informal really feel of a resort. Its spectacular stained glass home windows look on to the Italian-style fountain terrace that leads all the way down to the personal pool and synthetic lagoon. The latter is ideal for teenagers, with shallow waters and gentle sand alongside its edge.

THE ROOM

All rooms supply both a view of the lagoon, the gardens or the marina. Whereas “backyard view” rooms sometimes supply much less of a lookout (and decrease charges in consequence) at this property you are more likely to end up transfixed by birdlife and even kangaroos outdoors your window (we noticed three throughout our keep, together with a mom and joey). My room is without doubt one of the “Queenslander” suites – a 66-square metre house that encompasses a residing space with sofa, eating desk and a desk that doubles as a TV cupboard and minibar. The bed room encompasses a king-size mattress and there is a giant wardrobe between the bed room and residing space. The lavatory is spacious with a separate bathtub and bathe. As we’re staying with two children, a nifty characteristic is that the sofa is definitely a settee mattress, so the youngsters can fall asleep early whereas we will keep awake a bit longer within the bed room (the place there is a second TV).

FOOD + DRINK

There are a number of eating choices on the property: the high quality eating Hearth; the informal Cove Cafe and the Veranda Restaurant and Bar. There’s additionally a pool bar that additionally does meals, although it is closed throughout our go to. The lodge additionally does a excessive tea (bookings important).

Hearth (maybe inaptly named because it sits beneath the 2 giant fireplaces within the foyer, moderately than adjoining to both) provides trendy Australian fare with the occasional Japanese twist – oysters, as an illustration, can be found pure or baked with a miso sauce. A chargrill menu options numerous steak cuts starting from 150 gram fillets as much as a monster 1 kilogram tomahawk. Regardless of being the lodge’s high quality eating choice, they’re surprisingly effectively set-up for kids, with a children menu and excessive chairs. Upon arrival the waiter brings our two children exercise books with stickers and crayons, which assist hold them occupied through the meal.

A buffet breakfast is served at Cove Cafe and it has all the standard choices you’d hope for, together with eggs cooked to order and an omelette station. I discover the bellwether for a superb breakfast buffet is the help-yourself scrambled eggs – right here they’re sizzling, mild and fluffy. A very good signal.

OUT + ABOUT

If you happen to’re into golf,  visitors can play The Pines for $150.The Arnold Palmer-endorsed course is about on 101 hectares of pine forest and is well-liked with native birds and extra of these native kangaroos.

It is a comparatively brief journey from the marina to South Stradbroke Island by water taxi ($125, see covewatertaxi.com.au ). The 1800-hectare conservation park is residence to stunning seashores, surf breaks and nice fishing. With no automobiles on the island, it is a quiet escape from the bustle of the Gold Coast.

THE VERDICT

Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort provides laid-back luxurious in a secluded setting. The lagoon and the eating choices imply you possibly can simply spend days right here with out feeling the necessity to go away the property.

ESSENTIALS

Rooms on the resort begin from $359. See sanctuarycove.intercontinental.com

Spotlight

The lagoon is a good, kid-friendly different to heading to the seaside.

Lowlight

If you happen to’re trying to discover the area past Sanctuary Cove, you’ll in all probability require a automotive (although the water taxi can also be an choice).

The author stayed as a visitor of Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort.