The Xanadu's vibe is quiet and clean, and stunning ocean views abound. In the lobby white sofas sit beside a small front desk, and black-and-white checkered tiles add charm to the otherwise standard reception area. The design of the Xanadu Holiday Resort isn't luxurious, but the views of the Pacific Ocean make this property special. The North and East towers have 25 floors that have beautiful views even from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the elevator banks. Built in 1998, the Xanadu has a mixture of owner occupied and vacation rental units. There’s a decidedly residential vibe, with mailboxes in the lobby for residents and trash chutes on every floor. 

There’s no direct beach access from this high-rise hotel that overlooks the sea, but it’s a five-minute walk across Main Beach Parade to a park with a playground, a bicycle path, and the sandy shores. This residential area is surrounded by a few other hotels. Tedder Avenue, about three blocks away, offers several shops, cafes, and restaurants. Also in walking distance is the Marina Mirage shopping center. The tourist sights -- including the SkyPoint Observation Deck -- in Surfers Paradise is a 10-minute drive. For families, Sea World is a five-minute drive; Dreamworld theme park is a 25-minute drive; and Wet ‘N Wild Water World is about 20 minutes away. The Gold Coast Convention Center is 15 minutes away by car. And it’s a little over an hour to Brisbane International Airport.

The one- and two-bedroom apartment units are clean, comfortable and unfussy with all the home conveniences: full kitchens, living rooms, and laundry rooms with washers and dryers. The main distinction between the units are better ocean views on higher floors and newer appliances in upgraded rooms. A few rooms have garden/pool views. Dark carpeting covers bedrooms, and the remainder of the apartment is tiled, featuring traditional light wood furniture, beachy touches and floor-to-ceiling windows. Open-plan kitchens have ovens, microwaves, gas stove tops, refrigerators, dishwashers, tea kettles with tea, toasters, and counters that face furnished living rooms. Two-bedroom units have two bathrooms and one or two balconies. All units have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, air-conditioning, safes, irons/ironing boards, and cleaning equipment. White-tile bathrooms have hairdryers, showers, or separate showers and bathtubs. 

The facilities here are unfussy, and the vibe is unpretentious and family-friendly. Walkways from both towers cut across well-kept lawns leading to a clean half-moon pool and hot tub surrounded by high-rises. At the center of the property is a larger indoor pool, two hot tubs, and a dry sauna. The fitness center has only about 10 cardio and weight machines. There's also two outdoor tennis courts. Comfortable modern sofas and chairs are in the library lounge, along with books and a kitchenette. Two barbecue areas offer tables for picnics and grills. There's a small game room that has foosball, air hockey, and a ping-pong table.