The Island Gold Coast

What used to be The Islander, a 1980s two-star hotel in Surfers Paradise popular with partying school leavers, or ‘schoolies’, was remodelled as The Island, a boutique hotel aimed at a more sophisticated guest. With light wood panelling and black metal beds and wardrobes, a cocktail bar on the roof and a big, breezy restaurant downstairs, it’s now one of Surfers Paradise’s best budget hotels – albeit one that has thankfully retained a touch of its ’80s cool. It’s a block from the beach too, though if you don’t fancy braving the waves, there’s a small pool.