[~*Lou*~]

Hi ladies

DH insists on a holiday this year, I insist on family-friendly otherwise it’s just more work for me. Thinking Gold Coast (or Sunshine Coast), children are 5 and nearly 3. If the Gold Coast, we’ll do one of the theme parks (probably Sea World) but not all (not day trips everyday). Accommodation ideally walking distance to beach and on-site pool (if multiple fabulous pools, wading pools etc, then don’t need walking distance to beach!). I don’t want us all in one room, 2 bed apartment ideally, with kitchenette and laundry facilities somewhere on-site. Is it pushing it beyond my wildest dreams for some sort of kids club, particularly to give older child option of playing with some new friends, not to park children there all day everyday!

Any ideas gratefully received, we haven’t been on holiday or travelled anywhere with the children so I don’t know where to start (I’ve been quite ill in the last couple of years but recovering now).

Many thanks
Lou

[tamjk]

Sunshine Coast is cheaper, and I think the beaches are better for young kids on the Sunshine Coast too.
It doesn't have a kids club, but here's somewhere we stayed a year ago and I think it might be perfect for you.
http://www.holidaycaloundra.com.au/accommo.../16-03-2013/466 It's about a 2 minute walk to the beach and you go past a neat playground to get there.

If it's not to your taste exactly the managing agent also has a few other holiday apartments that are quite nice and they are lovely people to deal with.

[PrincessPeach]

If you are willing to forgo a kids club, there are heaps of places on both the gold & sunshine coasts to stay at.

2 bedroom apartments are plentiful & all of the ones i've stayed in have a laundry & full kitchen in them.

On the sunshine coast I love mooloolaba & last time i stayed at the landmark resort, which was really nice. It's accross the road from the beach (and playground), plus you are walking distance to underwater world & a decent sized woolworths.

Seaforth apartments at alexndra headlands were also really nice, although the pools are not heated in summer.

Sorry - i live on the GC, so haven't stayed in too many apartments, however have visited friends who have stayed at the following places & they all seemed to have apartments that fit your criteria:

Breakfree Acapulco, Circle on Cavil, Focus, Alexander & Q1.

The acapulco & alexander apartments were older, however they both had huge living areas.

This post has been edited by PrincessPeach: 21/01/2013, 11:25 AM

[anikal]

Just a quick suggestion - look at Turtle Beach Resort. Apartment style units, multiple pools some kid-friendly some not, onsite restaurants, kids room, walk to beach, shops etc. We stayed there with an 11 year old and a 7 year old, they both liked it.

[Sam Wheat]

My dp and kids stayed at Paradise resort on the Gold Coast, the kids loved it, great pools and really close to the beach.

[Pearson]

Treasure island - not near a beach, 3 pools on site, plus jumping pillow, playgrounds etc, do have a bit of a kids club for 4+ yo.

Or, tallebudgera tourist park. Not as near restaurants etc, but walk to beach, fishing, pools, they have cabins.

[*Lib*]

My dp and kids stayed at Paradise resort on the Gold Coast, the kids loved it, great pools and really close to the beach.

I second that!! We stayed there recently, it was awesome!

[Ange]

We're going to Paradise Resort next month Can't wait!
http://www.paradiseresort.com.au/stay/resort_family_room/

Tripadvisor have mixed reviews. The rooms aren't new and they are only a 3 star resort but if you go in there knowing it is not the Hilton then it will be fine

[tassiegal]

We stayed at Alexandra beach resort on the sunshine coast and loved it. It's across the road from the beach and has a nice pool. We visited Eumundi markets, Australia zoo and underwater world.

[SMforshort]

no kids club but a great pool in the pictures. we haven't stayed here but are thinking about this option for later this year.


http://www.thecrowntowers.com.au/