We’re a family of five and recently spent a short break on the Gold Coast. With three kids in tow, we weren’t looking for luxury for luxury’s sake we wanted space, a good location, and somewhere that made travelling with kids easier, not harder.
We chose Mantra Sierra Grand in Broadbeach, and overall, it delivered on most of what we needed. Here’s what our stay was really like the good, the frustrating, and the things we’d want to know if we were booking again.
The Apartment: Space Makes All the Difference
We booked a four-bedroom penthouse on the 30th floor, and the first thing that stood out was how much room we had. With five people sharing one space, that alone set the tone for the stay.
The apartment felt bright and comfortable, clearly designed for longer stays rather than quick overnight visits. Having a full kitchen and laundry made a big difference with kids especially not having to overpack clothes or rely on eating out for every meal. The balcony views over Broadbeach, the ocean and the city were a highlight, particularly in the evenings.
The beds were comfortable, the bathrooms were generous (2.5 in total), and the air-conditioning worked well – once it was fixed.
A Real-Life Hiccup (and How It Was Handled)
One of the bedroom air-conditioners wasn’t working when we checked in, which wasn’t ideal after travelling with kids. That said, we contacted support and it was fixed the same day, which we appreciated. Once that was sorted, the apartment felt genuinely comfortable and easy to relax in.
These little things happen when travelling -what matters more is how quickly they’re resolved, and in this case, it was handled well.
Parking: The One Issue That Really Affected Our Stay
Parking was easy to access, and the hotel offers secure underground parking. However, we did face one major issue:
Someone parked in our allocated bay, and the out-of-hours support couldn’t resolve it quickly.
This definitely affected our stay, especially with kids. If you’re travelling in peak season or after hours, be prepared that support may be slow.
Facilities the Kids Actually Used (and Loved)
The resort offers plenty of family-friendly facilities:
- Outdoor lagoon-style pool
- Indoor heated pool
- Spa + sauna
- Gym
- Tennis court
- BBQ areas
We found the pools clean and warm – great for kids. The gym was well-equipped and rarely busy.
After seeing the private pool in Mantra Sierra Grand apartment, the kids were so excited they immediately asked if we could build one at home too! Now we will plan a full DIY pool setup in the backyard – thanks, Mantra Sierra Grand. 😄
Location – 10/10
Broadbeach is one of the best places to stay on the Gold Coast, and Mantra Sierra Grand is in the middle of everything:
- Pacific Fair – 2-min walk
- Tram stop – 1-min walk
- Kurrawa Beach – 7–8 mins walk
- The Star Casino – 10 mins
- Restaurants everywhere (Thai, Italian, Japanese, cafés)
If you love convenience, this is a brilliant pick.
Would We Stay Again?
Despite the parking issue, we genuinely enjoyed our stay. The space, location and family-friendly setup outweighed the frustrations, and once everything settled, it felt like an easy place to relax as a family.
Mantra Sierra Grand is a solid choice for families who want room to spread out, a kitchen and laundry, and a location that makes the Gold Coast simple to enjoy. It’s especially well suited to longer stays where convenience matters just as much as comfort.
We’d stay again with a bit more caution around parking and would happily recommend it to other families looking to base themselves in Broadbeach.
A few things we learned for next time
Next time, there are a few small things we’d do differently. We’d request a high-floor apartment for the views, confirm parking details before heading out, and try to stay closer to the lifts to make moving around with kids easier. We’d also rely more on Pacific Fair for meals and groceries – it’s close enough to walk and removes the need to use the car at all.
