Staying at The Island, Gold Coast, Queensland

The rooftop bar at The Island, Gold Coast, Queensland. Photo / Supplied

Kristin Macfarlane checks into The Island, Gold Coast

Location: Right in the heart of Surfers Paradise, walking distance to everything you will need including shopping, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, the beach, the g-link tram and public transport.

Check-in experience: Relatively easy. Reception is on the first floor and the signage isn't completely obvious. The rooftop bar is outside the reception, which is handy if there is a long wait.

Room: I was in a King suite, room 504 on the fifth floor. It was spacious, had a dining table, large three-seater couch, spacious kitchenette, desk and massive balcony. My bed and pillows were amazingly comfortable.

Price: $300 per night, which I thought was great value given breakfast was included and it could sleep four.

What's in the neighbourhood? Absolutely everything. Malls, restaurants and food halls, nightclubs and bars. There is a BWS alcohol store across the road, souvenir shops, a 7-Eleven and an IGA supermarket.

Toiletries: The basics, including a toothbrush and toothpaste kit and a vanity kit.

Facilities: Rooftop bar, a restaurant on site, swimming pool.

Online: theislandgoldcoast.com.au

Perfect for: Anyone who needs space in their rooms, whether it's friends going away for a weekend, a family holiday with kids or business travellers.

Not perfect for: Smokers who want to be able to smoke cigarettes on their balcony — this is a non-smoking hotel. People who want a very quiet weekend away — the rooftop bar can attract revellers, however it closes relatively early and the air conditioning in the room drowns out any noise.