{"id":38126,"date":"2015-02-06T09:06:54","date_gmt":"2015-02-05T23:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/blog\/?p=38126"},"modified":"2018-05-14T07:33:52","modified_gmt":"2018-05-13T21:33:52","slug":"royal-relaxation-on-the-gc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/royal-relaxation-on-the-gc\/","title":{"rendered":"Hotel review | RACV Royal relaxation on the GC"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m standing at the bathroom door, arms folded, tapping my foot. In front, Mr LML is buried ear-deep into a plush white pillow, body like a starfish.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He lifts his head up, looks at me with droopy eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut can\u2019t we just stay here forever- can\u2019t we just move in?\u201d<\/p>\n

We\u2019re about to leave the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Goldie<\/a>, and we\u2019ve just had the best weekend in a long time.<\/p>\n

We arrived 24 hours before, to a super steamy Gold Coast<\/a> day.<\/p>\n

Rolling up through the trees of the driveway, we head towards the building at the centre of the resort\u2019s famous golf course (home to the Australian PGA Championship and the RACV Australian Ladies Masters).\u00a0 And while golf isn\u2019t my thing (at all) it\u2019s impossible to ignore as we walk into the bright reception. Floor to ceiling windows allow natural light to bloom in while ladies enjoy high tea in the Panorama Lounge in the centre of the room. It\u2019s spacious and grand.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re only 20 minutes from Surfers, and there\u2019s no ruckus in sight. The sweeping NSW to Southport views from our Executive Level Spa Suite is instant Instagram material, #nofilter needed.<\/p>\n\"(Feb\n

Our room is spacious, with winter colours breaking up the monochromatic d\u00e9cor. The bed is ridiculously large.<\/p>\n\"collage<\/a>\n

Next- the bathroom is complete with a two person spa, gold trimmings, beige marble and views of the hinterland.\u00a0 Oh and did you see the L’Occitane toiletries? I immediately assume diva position\u2026<\/p>\n\"Mitzi<\/a>\n

Waiting for us in the lounge room, is an indulgent heart-shaped box made of chocolate, (filled with\u00a0berries) and a bottle of Mo\u00ebt which we pop open and watch a summer storm roll in from the 19th <\/sup>floor. Hey, #thisisqueensland after all.<\/p>\n\"moet<\/a>\n

The chocolate creation is just one of the many talents of the hotel\u2019s pastry team, whose delectable designs can be seen near reception. After a post-storm rainbow decorates the Gold Coast, we decide it\u2019s definitely pool time.<\/p>\n\"rainbow\"<\/a>\n

Down at lobby level, the pool is round and complete with lane ropes, waterslides, a kiddy pool and a bubbling spa. The lane ropes are for the fitness folks who can also use\u00a0the massive One Life gym. There\u2019s also a giant jumping pillow (OMG) and five tennis courts if you should so feel the need to burn calories.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s clear that when it comes to having something for everyone, the Royal Pines has got it going on. We say no to exercise and taste-test some cocktails instead.<\/p>\n\"cocktails<\/a>\n

If we weren\u2019t already impressed with the view, the pool, the green grounds and the welcome bubbly, it\u2019s the news that we can upgrade our booking to get Executive Lounge access that has us completely won over.<\/p>\n

For 80 bucks between us, (if you\u2019re an RACV or RACQ motorclub member) we get full use of a VIP room that includes canap\u00e9s and drinks between 5.30-7pm, coffee and tea, business centre facilities and a crowd- and kid-free breakfast.\u00a0 As soon as the clock hits 5.30, we join \u2018happy hour\u2019 and begin what turns out to be a three course feast at three different restaurants.<\/p>\n\"food<\/a>\n

Arawkawa, the hotel\u2019s authentic Japanese restaurant is our stop for entree. We sit in front of Shiji, an Osaka born sushi chef who delicately carves and chops up a plate of assorted sushi featuring flamed Tasmanian salmon aburi, prawns and scallops. It seriously looks too good to eat.<\/p>\n\"Arawkawa\"<\/a>\n

Next up Kalinda. Course two sees us take on the \u2018all you can eat buffet\u2019. This buffet is a family favourite, with a kiddie section, and a ripper antipasto. Oh, and who can say no to a \u2018help yourself\u2019 ice cream bar. With extra sprinkles, thanks \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\"buffet\"<\/a>\n

Last but not least, Videre, fine dining pride and joy, shows us why it\u2019s won so many awards.\u00a0 And just quietly, if there was an award for the best view, this place would take it out, every year.<\/p>\n

\"Told<\/a>

Told ya \ud83d\ude09<\/p><\/div>\n

Dessert is placed in front of us and it\u2019s almost too much for me to handle- I mean look at it!<\/p>\n

\"dessert\"<\/a>

This is a blood orange and white chocolate parfait = fresh and freeze dried raspberries, white chocolate parfait, blood orange puree, popping candy, almond toffee bristlet and a mandarin sorbet. *Drool*<\/p><\/div>\n

I practically have to roll Mr LML out of Videre (classy) and back to the room where we promptly pass out and food coma, hard.<\/p>\n

And you know what? Nothing soothes a food coma like the hands of a masseuse. I\u2019ll be honest, I\u2019ve wanted to get inside the One Spa (The Royal Pines onsite spa) since it opened last year.<\/p>\n\"One<\/a>\n

Facials, make up, hairdressing, couple treatments, spray tans- you name it, they do it! We opt for the 60 minute couple\u2019s massage that has us dragging our fluffy white slippers over the floating wooden floor boards, limbs loose and heavy.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only the news of more food, in the form of a luxurious lunch hamper that we can take anywhere in the resort, that has me actually wanting to leave the confines of the spa.<\/p>\n\"picnic\"<\/a>\n

We sprawl out on the grass, and enjoy a bottle of Victorian sparkling wine, a cheese plate, gourmet salads and some fresh fruit to end.\u00a0 Bliss.<\/p>\n

Back at the room, I stand there debating the ways we could move our stuff into the Royal Pines Resort without them noticing while Mr LML pushes his body off the bed, and trudges out of the room, luggage in hand.<\/p>\n

When it comes to a relaxing stay on the Gold Coast: Dear Royal Pines, I think it\u2019s love. <3<\/p>\n

Mitzi stayed as a guest of the RACV Royal Pines Resort. <\/em><\/p>\n