This resort naturally draws families for one main reason: Sea World. Parents with children in tow can be found walking through the massive and sparsely furnished common areas or snapping photos with a Ninja Turtle costume character. Sparkling, colorful trees light up in potted planters, and a dolphin sculpture sits at the center of the lobby. Large windows -- which look out onto the well-manicured property and Broadwater -- wrap around a lounge area with comfy sofas and dining tables. From the gift shop it’s an easy walk to the resort’s monorail stop or the entrance of Sea World. At night, kids get into their bathing suits to play in the short-lived SpongeBob Splashbash colorful water show. Guests who stay a minimum of two days also get free admission to watch dolphins being trained at Dolphin Discovery.

The main draw of this resort is its direct access to Sea World. The theme park entrance and monorail station are by the resort’s gift shop. A nice stretch of sand runs behind the resort, which sits on Sea World Drive. In front of the property is Broadwater, where there’s a pier and a water-sports booth, offering Jet Ski rentals, catamaran cruises, and water jet pack sessions, among other activities. Options for dining and entertainment are limited, since there’s nothing -- outside of Sea World -- within walking distance. Affordable dining options and shops are about a two-minute drive away at the Marina Mirage. Surfers Paradise -- with the SkyPoint Observation Deck -- is 15 minutes away by car. The resort is about a 20-minute drive to the Gold Coast Highway. It’s one hour to Brisbane International Airport.

Interiors are modern with wood or metallic upholstered headboards, parquet floors in most rooms, and splashes of blue, including accent walls, throw pillows, and rugs. Balconies and patios overlook the pool, gardens, or Broadwater. Designed for families or groups, rooms are spacious and even the standard Resort Double Room fits four people. Most rooms have open layouts; others come with small sitting areas, and Suites offer separate living rooms. Deluxe Rooms have microwaves. 

Family Resort Queen Rooms, fitting up to nine people, are two interconnected rooms. Deluxe Family Studio rooms offer two balconies or patios. Broadwater Executive View Rooms have waterfront views, and sitting and dining areas. Light tiled bathrooms offer hairdryers and shower/tub combos. There are also stylish Presidential Suites with neutral furnishings, dining and sitting areas, and flat-screen TVs over whirlpool tubs. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, tea kettles, irons and ironing boards, and safes.

Sea World Resort offers a wide range of activities to entertain kids and parents, including face painting and SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer activities at the kids’ club. Small slides and a dump bucket at the water play area appeal to younger children. Bigger slides at the free water park are geared toward adults and older kids. It’s a calmer scene at the resort’s lagoon pool that faces Broadwater. 

Food is pricey, but there are many choices: seafood and beer buckets at Shoreline Restaurant, teppanyaki at Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, ice cream at the Waterfall Cafe, and cocktails in the lobby lounge. To unwind there’s a well-equipped gym and a small spa. While families come first here, six meeting rooms -- which hold up to 1,000 people -- attract business travelers. Slightly hidden away in the lobby are two PC computers. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

This hotel offers a tourism attraction that involves animals. You can learn more about the cruelty animals suffer in captivity here.