Novotel Surfers Paradise is the MVP this celebratory season – even your doggo will agree!
Novotel Surfers Paradise is the MVP this celebratory season – even your doggo will agree!
If you’re anything like us, Christmas parties are in full swing, you’ve bought Bunnings out of fairy lights, and you’re stocking up on presents (jokes, that’ll be a midnight shopping haul the week before). But life beyond 25 December….we’re hearing *crickets*.
Well, spoiler alert – we have the DL on THE place to celebrate New Year’s which conveniently, also has a January calendar jam-packed with school holiday fun to put huge smiles on little dials. And the best news of all is it’s in our own backyard, so no annoying “are we there yet?” commentary from the backseat. The Novotel Surfers Paradise is your one-stop shop this holiday season, with everything from front-row fireworks to free Zooper Doopers, to fur child-friendly accommodation.
New Year’s Eve – Novotel style!
What better way to set yourself up for a stellar 2023 than celebrating at the epicentre of the GC’s New Year’s Eve revelry, Novotel Surfers Paradise. Located a short 100 metres stroll from the beach fireworks illuminating the sky into a kaleidoscope of colours, with not one, but two dazzling displays. The first serves as a pyrotechnic prelude at 8pm, perfect for kids and those of us who struggle to stay vertical until midnight. Once the clock strikes 12, the main event will go off with a bang (several actually), providing a multi-sensory spectacle so awe-inspiring that your first New Year’s resolution will be to rebook for the next NYE.
Personally, we fancy ourselves a prime perching position on the balcony of a Novotel Ocean View Room where fireworks go from hero to superhero status. But whether you’re a thrill seeker keen to get in on the action with Cavill Ave a stone’s throw away, or a chill seeker channelling a more relaxed hoorah, it’s Novotel for the win.
School holiday fun locked and loaded
Throughout the January school holidays from Tuesday 2nd until Friday 19th January, the hotel has organised a ripper line-up of activities for its guests to keep four- to 12-year-olds grinning from ear to ear.
At Novotel, they believe in creating memorable family experiences that go beyond mere babysitting. Monday movie nights kicking off at 6.30pm and wrapping up at 8.30pm, provide the perfect opportunity for your kids to discover their inner movie buff while fostering family connections. It’s all about #familytime! On Tuesday afternoons, the small folk can let their creativity (and sweet tooths!) run wild, with cookie decorating. On Wednesdays, we wear face paint, or at least your kiddos can between 10am and 2pm. Held by the barbeque area, it’s the perfect excuse to fire up a barbie (like you needed one…).
In pole position on every mini-me’s holidays to-do list is to cool down with an icy pole after some beachside or pool hangs. Enter Zooper Dooper Thursday, free from 12pm – 2pm which makes us ponder if there is any way we could pass as 12-year-olds….
And now we arrive at FriYay, where from 12pm – 2pm little, balloon twisting sessions will take the fun-factor to new ‘heights’. Sure to be an ‘uplifting’ experience, your kids will be ‘bursting’ with excitement and inspAIRation.
But wait there’s more and no, they’re not chucking in a set of free steak knives, but some digs for your four-legged friends! PAWSOME!
Doggo Friendly Rooms
Pawrents, this one’s for you! No need to leave Fido at home this silly season coz raise the woof – Novotel Surfers Paradise have dog-friendly rooms!
Hurry, though. New Year’s Eve bookings are as hot as the fireworks themselves, and don’t even get us started on school holiday bookings which are selling faster than slow cookers during the Black Friday sales.
For more information or to book, go here.
Where: Corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard & Hanlan Street, Surfers Paradise
When: 31 December 2023 and January 2024
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY NOVOTEL SURFERS PARADISE
For those of us in charge of creating the Christmas magic year after year, it’s universally understood that well before ‘eat, drink, and be merry’, comes ‘exhaustion, determination and be…gging for mercy’ as we duke it out among the mid-December shopping centre droves.
This year, consider a carefree Christmas Day with all of the cheer and none of the tears – because this December 25, Novotel Surfers Paradise is throwing a spectacular seafood buffet lunch for the merrymaking pleasure of you and your kin. And lbh, these guys are so skilled at pulling a sumptuous spread out of their chef’s hats, they could do so with their eyes closed (#Can’tRelate).
Lock in a lavish long lunch and luxuriate in a seafood buffet complete with three hours of premium beverages, live music and children’s entertainer – all without lifting a finger.
Make no mistake, Christmas chill style does not equate to a shortage of cheer: for the little ones 12 and under, Santa will be doling out a special gift, while the adults will be appreciating the free-flowing Beer, Wine, Cider and Non-Alcoholic options on offer. Sit back and settle in to the surrounds of the Grand Ballroom, making some magical mems with your nearest and dearest while Novotel’s expert culinary crew, headed by Chef Praveen Dutt, diligently dish up a decadent array of festive eats.
A seasoned pro more than qualified to take on our Chrissy day soirees, Chef Praveen’s resume reads more like a luxury vaycay itinerary – after spending over 17 years honing his craft among R&R heavy-hitters such as Q1, Mantra and Sheraton in Fiji.
Though Chef Praveen certainly has a flair for creating exceptional food, he’s also passionate about curating a welcoming experience for guests and families to come together through his crafted cuisine. And since this is the exact essence of what Christmas is all about – leaving our Chrissy day in those expert hands just got all the more enticing (and we haven’t even got to the menu yet).
Unsurprisingly, the culinary team has also applied an elf-like eagerness to perfecting the ultimate Chrissy feast, with the mouth-watering menu for the big day already locked in.
Go ahead and make yourself comfortable (read: discreetly loosen that top button), because this lavish seafood smorgasbord is the whole shebang (and good luck to us as we take on the impossible feat of attempting to summarise it.)
Seared, sautéed and roasted to perfection will be the signature selection of hot dishes including gourmet takes on the classics like Leg Ham (double-baked with bourbon and honey glaze) and Baked Spuds (chat potatoes with duck fat and rosemary).
Feast your eyes (immediately followed by your tastebuds) upon a tantalising seafood mountain stacked with spanner crabs, piles of tiger prawns, oysters and Tasmanian smoked salmon. And flavour-packed sides and salads such as Roasted pumpkin salad with spinach, pears, pine nuts, with lemon vinaigrette dressing are actually worthy of claiming that precious plate real estate.
Honestly, we could be here until Christmas unpacking this cracker of a menu – but if all that hasn’t already sealed the deal, decadent sweets such as Passionfruit Pavlova Roulade or Cascading Cadbury chocolate fountain (Spanish Churros, brownie, marshmallow) certainly will.
So it’s settled then. This year we’re swanning on into the Novotel like one extremely cool yule-cumber to partake in festivities infinitely more enticing than being holed up for days in a stinking hot kitchen. And we do mean ‘cool’ – because with the morning now wide open, a side quest to the beach for a pre-lunch dip could be on the cards.
Tickets start from $139 per child aged 5-12 (free for children 0-4 years), and hot-sip – full table bookings of 8-10 guests in one transaction and receive a complimentary 750ml bottle of Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut on the day. Cheers!
Tickets for all the Novotel Surfers Paradise festive celebrations here. (Please note that this event is hosted on shared tables to encourage a sense of togetherness and community during this special day.)
Where: Novotel Surfers Paradise, Cnr Of Surfers Paradise Blvd, Hanlan St, Surfers Paradise
When: Monday, December 25, 2023, Arrival from 11:30am; Lunch service from 12pm to 3pm
Words by Kellie Leader.
STORY SPONSORED BY NOVOTEL SURFERS PARADISE
Hoisting the kidlets into the back of the car to grab a feed can be a varied experience. And by varied, we mean #traumatic. But not at these Surfers Paradise restaurants which are tried and tested by many-a-small person, with a double thumbs-up both from kids and therefore, parentals.
Here’s our rundown on the glitter strip places to take the rug rats for a tanty/whinge-free meal.
Misono
If there’s one thing that’ll delight the kids (and the big kids), it’s teppanyaki! Situated in JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, Misono’s teppan experience brings an inescapable energy and thrill from the highly skilled teppan chef’s intricate knife work and interactive theatrics. Make sure you have your smart phones at the ready to capture every catch….or not (spillage is part of the fun). There’s also a live sushi bar to discover and psst mum and dad – there’s even a sneaky whisky bar for ‘ron!
Where: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Wahlburgers
Designed with good times in mind, the kids will go wild for Wahlburgers! The burger chain and sports bar baby of Hollywood superstars ‘Marky’ Mark, Donny, and the wider Wahlburg clan, expect high-quality, simple, down to earth eats! In addition to burgers there’s breakfast, salads, loaded sides, wings, calamari, dessert, shakes and spiders and so much more. It’ll give the whole family Good Vibrations!
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
TGI Fridays
Tasty American Burgers, good friends and good times. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, it’s always a recipe for smiley faces. Serving up your all your fave dishes from the US of A right off the grill, we’re talking starters to share, wings, fresh mex, burgers, wraps, salads, ribs, steaks, desserts and a cracking kid’s menu. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to a place where it’s always Friday?
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Steampunk
Kids will love the Victorian-era décor, friendly service and most importantly, wide variety of all the chow our small people dream of. The usual suspects like woodfired pizzas, loaded chips, burgers, steaks and ribs etc all make an appearance on the menu, plus there’s a kiddywinkle menu suitable for those up to 16. They’ll go loco for the supershakes and if you’re in a rush (isn’t EVERY parent), you can skip the queue and order via the app! Genius.
Where: 3113 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Longboards Laidback Eatery and Bar
If the kids are hungry, do not pass go, do not collect $200 – go to Longboards. One thing’s for sure, both you and your ankle-biters will leave choccas (no other meals required). The burgers here are legendary and dad, if you wanna impress the fam, give the 30 minute Phat Bastard Challenge a crack for your chance to win a $150 tab prize. There’s a kids menu to boot, plus $3 play packs to keep them entertained. Sold!
Where: Q1 Resort & Spa, Corner of Hamilton Avenue & Northcliffe Terrace, Surfers Paradise
El Camino Cantina
Mexican is the new Maccas in terms of universal appeal for kids, and El Camino is forever Mexcellent. Slinging tacos, nachos, loaded nachos, fajitas, wings and sombrero-filled party vibes, there’ll be no whinging whatsoever from the small folk. Head on down for $2 Taco Tuesdays, 10-cent Wing Wednesdays and half-price Fajita Thursdays. How spec-taco-ular!
Where: 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
BMD Northcliffe Surf Club
Ok, so we all know kids love surf clubs – especially award-winners like BMD Northcliffe. For a start, it’s absolute beachfront making a pre or post-meal dip super duper easy. There’s plenty of room in the spacious restaurant, filled with sunlight by day and boasting a magical outlook by night, a stunning deck, and one of the best surf club menus you’ll ever find. All Little Nipper meals come with a small soft drink and a gelato. Winning!
Where: 51 Garfield Terrace, Surfers Paradise
Vapiano
Vapiano is Italian for kid-foody-heaven and whilst that’s a fib, it still rings true. We dare you to find a kiddo (and parent for that matter…#Don’tTellThePT) who doesn’t love a meaty, hearty pasta or a palette-pleasing pizza and yeah, nah, it’s not possible. Choose from the kids’ menu or the standard menu for small people with a BIG appetite! This is no impasta friends.
Where: Soul Boardwalk, Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Hogs Breath Café
The very pinnacle of family-orientated eating venues has to be the original and much-loved Hogs Breath Café. You’ll find consistently yummy and unassuming food served up in a friendly atmosphere, setting the benchmark high for other family restaurants to follow. Your little ones will be loving life with their own (sizeable) Hogster’s Kids Menu, which offers uncompromised value for money as each dish comes with its own drink and even dessert. Sorted!
Where: Soul, Building T2/9 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Crazy Cat Café
This cute setup is the purrfect place to drop by for an afternoon pit stop and, of course, to mingle with some feline friends. Apart from a mob of the friendliest cats you ever did meet, the hefty café style menu offers a host of appetising treats to boot. Worth noting is the venue’s setup which also has a separate section for those who want to witness the cats at paw’s length – a great option for the kiddies who need a slow introduction to the furry ones.
Where: 3131 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Pancakes on the Rocks
There is no mistaking; pancakes are a good time, every time, particularly when they’re being pumped out of specialty restaurant, Pancakes on the Rocks. Based in the heart of Surfers Paradise, they are a dead-set family vibe. All about family dining, you can’t go wrong with the obvs (pancakes), plus there are pizzas, salads, crepes, and the now famous beef and pork ribs. Littlies will adore this joint. Cross our hearts.
Where: 31 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Words by Bianca Trathen.
