A little slice of rock and roll heaven just steps away from the sand and surf, The Pink Hotel in Coolangatta is a true original.

Feeling a million miles away from tourist central, the southern end of the Gold Coast had always led the charge in fuss-free beachside holidaying. Then, along came the ultimate disruptor, The Pink Hotel in Coolangatta. And it wasn’t even subtle. The Instagram-famous digs first opened its doors in 2018, a restored 1960s motel that blazed with wall-to-wall fairy-floss pink. Offering a thrilling new way to experience the Gold Coast, complete with epic party spaces and rooms packed with personality, the hotel brought some serious buzz. We discover how it maintains its charms today.

First impressions

As a 12-pack of Panadol meets me in the hotel lobby, I’m instantly comfortable with my decision to dust the children off for a night. In the mass of retro-inspired motels and hotels popping up on the Gold Coast, could The Pink Hotel at Coolangatta authentically mirror the rock and roll lifestyle of a bygone era? Kid-free fingers crossed.

At the very least, they’ve nailed the façade. Barbie-pink walls paired with a tight edit of bright white, ruby red and cactus green offer one of the most talked-about designs in the city’s hotel portfolio. On the beach fronting side, a giant Medusa mural switches out snakes for flamingo heads. In the front garden, a twin pair of 70s sun lounges are painted in pink and white stripes as plastic flamingos ‘frolic’ at their feet. It’s loud yet sweet, old yet new, Palm Springs-perfect yet suspiciously wayward. I can’t wait to see inside.

Style of the rooms

Entering the level two Medusa Balcony King Room, it’s hard to miss the second instalment of local artist Jamie Peters’ coastal take on Greek mythology’s Medusa. In this room, a drooping cigarette is tucked into her snarl as those cheeky flamingos flare, tall and proud.

The theme flows into two bright flamingo-printed bathrobes, serving as a second feature wall pretty much, amid an eclectic mix of mustard velvet furnishings, glossy timber and a slick black bar brought to vivid life thanks to a neon sign that reads ‘I look for you in everyone’.

Every room features its own mix of decor and epic mural art, plus unique neon lighting inscriptions. My bathroom is small, but a mix of materials and influences once again adds personality, such as the rugged stone basin, probably better suited to an earthier, stripped-back space if I’m being honest.

I’m impressed by the size of the balcony off the Medusa room, which provides lovely ocean views and is scattered with garden floral-printed plastic sun lounges – the perfect spot to unwind as the sun magically sinks.

Ambience and cleanliness of the rooms

A discreet record player, hidden inside a black-lacquered side table I barely even notice, adds yet another layer of authenticity to the rock and roll theme The Pink Hotel at Coolangatta exudes rather effortlessly.

While pieces like the record player are obviously considered, it’s also entirely plausible that some free-spirited groupie took their love for bric-a-brac and spread it decoratively throughout the hotel between their idol’s nightly sets. Yes, I’m thinking of Kate Hudson’s character in Almost Famous right now. The atmosphere at The Pink is achingly artistic, yet the spaces are clean and spacious, providing guests with homely, comfortable accommodation.

Restaurants and food

I hear the restaurant slash bar at The Pink Hotel in Coolangatta before I spot it. Eddie’s Grub House, a dimly lit, absolute cracker of a dive bar located next door to the hotel lobby, houses a string of live music throughout the week.

I arrive on Sunday when a jam session blasts the neighbourhood from 3pm until 6pm. While a bunch of bed-haired hipsters natter at Eddie’s front doors, silver-haired rockers are inside thrashing it out for a crowd of delighted locals. A baby bounces to a Nirvana cover as his mum gets her groove on while wearing bub on her chest. It is all just awesome, and then there’s the grub itself, which is available as in-room dining.

Beef patties are stacked with fresh salad and Eddie’s ‘spesh’ sauce, reminiscent of Big Mac sauce (which is heavily underrated, I might add), jammed between further generous fillings and two pillows of sweet brioche. The Chicken and Bacon Nuggers are deep-fried minced chicken mashed with slivers of bacon. The wings are legendary. It’s the perfect sustenance for a night on the tiles.

Inside the rooms, a mini bar complete with a black Smeg bar fridge offers snacks including crisps, chocolate, sweet popcorn and nuts, plus canned cocktails and a very necessary Hydralyte. If you’re not vibing either option, a range of international cuisines can be found within walking distance of the hotel.

Quality of room and hotel service

Don’t let their leather boots and grungy t-shirts fool you. The team at The Pink Hotel clearly live and breathes their rock and roll surroundings, but they’re as sweet as cherry pie.

Keen to share their local tips on where to keep the good times rolling, staff are clued in and passionate about the region, spilling over with stories from their favourite rooms and the hotel’s wildest escapades. It’s infectious, and I almost asked one of them in for a wine on my balcony.

There’s no kitchen within the hotel itself, but Eddie’s Grub House delivers from Tuesday to Sunday, plus Ground Coolangatta around the corner can walk a hearty cafe breakfast, coffees, and juices to you between 7am and 2pm each day. Just use your phone to scan the QR code in your room.

Amenities available

To be frank, there isn’t much. While The Pink Hotel in Coolangatta is screaming out for a Palm Springs-inspired retro pool to catch television sets hurled off balconies, the beach across the road offers great compensation.

No gym and no spa either; however, I do appreciate the kitsch ice machine emblazoned with the phrase ‘Ice, icy, baby’ located on level one, and the venue’s faux lawn-coated rooftop cocktail bar offering sensational views across the ocean and beyond Surfers Paradise. It’s shaking up drinks on Friday and Saturday.

Price of a room

Rates at The Pink Hotel in Coolangatta start from approximately $199 per night for a King Suite, but if you’re chasing ocean views, pay the extra coin for a Superior King Suite, priced from about $209 per night, or climb the tiers to splash out further. The Medusa Balcony King Room, where I stayed, is priced from about $259 per night.

The verdict

Go for the time warp novelty, stay for the party. This is headbanger heaven, transported right from 1950s USA and plonked on prime Cooly beachfront real estate.

Score: 3.5/5

We rated: The bedside earplugs, attached with varying love notes including ‘Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere’. Very cute.

We’d change: Bring back the four-post cabanas that once oozed glamour on the hotel’s rooftop. The empty gaps they’ve left, allowing more space for white picnic tables, feel more beer garden than VIP.

Address: The Pink Hotel, 171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

For more reviews and insider tips, we’ve created the ultimate Gold Coast accommodation guide.