Best Value Hotels on the Gold Coast

This large upper-middle-range hotel offers 409 small, tidy rooms in a 20-story tower. All units come with air-conditioning, balconies, and a hint of midcentury modern appeal. Hotel features include three side-by-side pools, tennis courts, a buffet restaurant, spa, hot tub, and small fitness center. Despite Mantra's fees for Wi-Fi and parking, its excellent location and competitive prices make it our top pick for Gold Coast value hotels.

Wyndham Surfers Paradise is relatively modern apartment-hotel just one block from the beach and a 10-minute walk to central Surfers Paradise. Apartments are bright and spacious, with balconies overlooking the ocean or river. All include full kitchens with dishwashers and washer/dryers, plus air-conditioning and iPod docks. The outdoor area is well-designed, with a great beach-style pool and whirlpool, plus a nice chill-out area with sofas and barbecues. Breakfast and light lunch are available in the restaurant and there are other eateries on the ground floor. Rates can be higher here than the ones at Mantra on View, and Wyndham lacks Mantra's tennis courts and spa. Wi-Fi costs extra, but parking is free (both cost a fee at Mantra).

This 408-room mid-range hotel is a popular choice for its budget-friendly, air-conditioned rooms with balconies; outdoor pool with hot tub and terrace; and on-site buffet restaurant. Another plus is the central location -- the walk to Cavill Avenue shopping and entertainment district takes two minutes. Since Novotel is not an apartment hotel, like Wyndham, its basic rooms lack that hotel's kitchens and separate bedrooms. Novotel charges for Wi-Fi and parking, while Wyndham offers parking for free.

Located in Main Beach, Maldives Resort offers apartment-style accommodations within a short walk of the coast. Its 25 units are tidy and modern, though a bit antiseptic, with no details to make them feel cozy. Still, they're pleasant spaces, and all apartments feature full kitchens, washer/dryers, separate living rooms, and balconies. Some have ocean views. Amenities are limited -- there's no on-site restaurant or gym, like at Novotel, and Wi-Fi isn't free -- but there's an outdoor area with a pool, whirlpool, and barbecue grill.

Aruba Surf Resort is a mid-range apartment-style hotel located in Broadbeach, a short walk from the shore. The 29 Studios and One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments all have a bit dated decor, plus air-conditioning, balconies, and kitchens or kitchenettes, with the larger units adding sleeper sofas and washer/dryers. Note that there's no elevator and amenities like toilet paper aren't restocked for free (Maldives' bathrooms are stocked with toiletries and hairdryers). There are no on-site dining options, although guests can use an outdoor barbecue grill located near the pool/whirlpool area. Wi-Fi is available for a fee (common in Australia), while secure on-site parking is free.