Peppers Broadbeach review: Gold Coast family accommodation

A short tram ride south of the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise, you'll find the suburb of Broadbeach.

It sits right on the doorstep of the Gold Coast's many attractions and activities, but far enough away that families can distance themselves from the chaos and enjoy more space on the beach.

As a father of 3 young children, a spacious apartment with a nice view at this end of town seemed like the perfect fit. Could the Peppers Broadbeach apartments meet our expectations?

Cost

Surfers Paradise is a seasonal destination that spikes in popularity and soars over the Christmas break. As such, prices can fluctuate greatly. If you want a second room and/or a view of the ocean, you'll pay a premium, too. Weekdays can provide better prices, as the "party" nature of Surfers Paradise sees greater weekend demand.

We stayed in an ocean view corner apartment in tower 2, on the 22nd floor. It goes for around $500 in peak times and as low as $300 midweek.

I will say that the view away from the beach isn't half-bad either. The outlook over the canals towards the Gold Coast hinterland isn't quite as breathtaking as the surf, but it's still excellent. So, if you're looking to save some cash, don't be afraid to consider a room with that outlook.

Peppers Broadbeach location

If you're staying in Broadbeach, you're not in the heart of Surfers Paradise and that's the key fact to note when considering location. The walls of entertainment, activities, pubs and clubs are a short tram trip away. But so is the drinking, partying and late-night shenanigans, too. Attractions like the theme parks are a drive away regardless.

If being in the thick of it appeals, the tram station is just a 5-minute walk away, so making the distance is no big hassle. Indeed, you can even walk it or rent an ebike. Travelling as a family, I was happy to be a little further away. Even if it meant exploring the strip isn't as easy as just walking out the hotel door.

Peppers Broadbeach still has a huge array of shops, cafes and eateries right below. It's a short walk to a sizeable mall where you can pick up groceries and a pedestrian street jammed with ritzy restaurants.

The stunning beach is just a few blocks away. And there are flags and a big children's playground at the closest point, too. Overall, I think the location works well for families.

Decor

The Peppers Broadbeach apartments feel ultra-modern. Lots of glass makes the most of the abundant natural light and stunning views. The white surfaces allow the colours of the ocean and the Surfers Paradise glow, day or night, to fill the space.

Rooms are not overly cluttered, but spacious. The kitchens and bathrooms have a luxury feel to them as well. The lack of over-complication and character may disappoint some, but for families looking for a home away from home, Peppers Broadbeach feels like living in a newly renovated house.

It's only in the foyer and hallways that it lets itself down. Dark, smelly and a little lifeless, they don't live up to the quality you'll find once you open the door.

Staff

We had very little need to interact with the staff. There is a check-in desk that had no queue when we arrived. The exchange was quick and friendly. Later in the stay I forgot to correctly place the parking permit on my car and copped a fine. They reversed this for me without too much drama.

I must add how much I appreciated not just the included parking, but the height of the car park. It easily fit my Toyota Prado, despite the roof rack.

Room

Our apartment on the 22nd floor of Peppers Broadbeach tower 2 was one of the nicest I've ever stayed in. As you walk in, you're greeted with a massive living space, bordered by floor-to-ceiling glass windows that frame a stunning view.

As well as a full-size family kitchen, complete with oven, stove, dishwasher and a large fridge, there's a standalone dining table and a media area. The space extends outside, where a large deck and outdoor table setting provides another place to hang out.

Granted, we were in a corner room, so likely had more of a view than centralised apartments, but no matter which window you look out, you're going to be impressed.

Families will be happy to find a full laundry, complete with clothes horse and wash basin. There are also 2 well-provisioned bathrooms. The ensuite is huge and includes a bath as well as a shower with great pressure.

Just note, some photos and listings show apartments with a spa bath, but ours just had a standard bath.

Big families

In our apartment the main bedroom included a tiny balcony, a TV and a massive walk-in wardrobe with lots of storage space. The king bed was comfortable, although it was in truth 2 singles fit together. So, expect a bit of a ridge running down the middle of the bed. There was no issue with noise or light bleed.

The second room featured 2 comfortable singles and another slightly larger balcony that could be locked by parents. There's no TV in this room, which is a bit of a shame, as it's nice to shove the kids out of sight sometimes.

This room isn't big enough to fit a third bed. This is a bit of a letdown given the size of the apartment is so large. A good quality rollaway was supplied and there was ample space for it in the main living area, where it could exist without getting in the way. This space is well curtained, too. So, I do think bigger families will ultimately be OK.

Just don't expect to lounge on the couch watching TV late into the night.

Peppers Broadbeach facilities

The room is great, but it's the facilities that really seal the deal for families considering Peppers Broadbeach accommodation. I've previously mentioned the included parking, with its healthy 2.2m height limit.

Level 3 is where all the action truly unfolds. The eye-catcher is the large outdoor pool. This is broken into 3 sections: a spa, a lap pool and a shallow kid-friendly space. There are some water spouts about to make it more fun, as well as plenty of lounges and a full barbeque area. I saw a few families having dinner there.

You'll also find a full lounge area nearby, which is a large, quiet and cool place to come chill for work or board games. It has a pool table, a kitchenette and a TV, which is really quite impressive. It backs onto a garden area, which is again generously sized and features more barbeques.

You'll also find a decent-sized gym, a steam room and sauna on level 3. Plus, a theatrette you can book, taking family movie time to the next level. If you really wanted to complain, the apartment block has no rental facilities: think scooters or surfboards. I've seen this at other apartments, like Wyndham Surfers Paradise, but it's a stiff criticism.

One curiosity that surprised me is that if you're staying in tower 2 of Peppers Broadbeach, you're not allowed to go and use any facilities in tower 1. I assume the feeling is mutual. It's not really a big deal, just be aware you may see photos that are of facilities in the other tower.

Things to do

There's no shortage of things to do on the Gold Coast for families. You have, of course, theme parks like Movie World, DreamWorld and Wet 'n' Wild, but there are lesser-known gems close to Peppers Broadbeach, too. Here are a couple I can vouch for:

GC Aqua Park Southport: This fantastic inflatable waterpark is great value for money if you want to keep the kids entertained for a day at the beach. The slides, swings and obstacles are thrilling for all ages, while the vibe is kept nice and relaxed.

Holey Moley and Hijinx Hotel: This is a great wet weather option. The indoor putt-putt course has inventive course layouts that entertain. It's situated in the same building as the memorable challenge rooms of the Hijinx Hotel, as well as arcade machines and a bar.

Jetboating: Our guide/captain for our jetboating experience made it such fun, offering insights as we explored the harbour and thrills as he did tricks and splashed water over the occupants.

iFly: Even our then 6-year-old got in on the act at the Gold Coast iFly. The staff are great at taking you through the skill set and knowhow required, while the feeling of flight is as memorable as the impact of the wind on your face.

Verdict

There's no shortage of good accommodation options on the Gold Coast, but Peppers Broadbeach does stand out. The modern apartments combine with the spectacular views to create a luxury living experience. There's a surprising number of top-notch facilities, too, each given plenty of space in which to exist.

As such, Peppers Broadbeach exceeded my expectations. If you're up for an apartment experience – as opposed to a hotel – consider it highly recommended.

Disclaimer: Chris Stead and his family stayed at Peppers Broadbeach as guests.