Reviewed By:
Carol, Terri & Brendan
Travel Date:
My 2 children (13 yo daughter & 9 yo son) and I (a single parent) recently spent a long awaited holiday in Queensland at the beautiful Sanctuary Lakes Apartments in South East Queensland. I sourced and booked our accommodation on-line after deciding to stay away from traffic and hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast and having heard of the beauty of the local area. In most instances we were not disappointed and overall had a wonderful time.
However, we were not aware that our accommodation was operated under a body-corporate situation, with many of the apartments owner-occupied (or at least long term occupied) and found some of the residents less than receptive to our presence as holidays makers.
Our apartment; although wonderful and exactly as portrayed on-line, was on the third floor with no lift access and a tiresome journey from the (thankfully) underground carpark . Moving in and out with our baggage was a nightmare. As were the planes flying in directly overhead to land at the near by Coolangatta Airport
We also had issues with the rules regarding use of the swimming pool. Even though I paid a higher rate for a pool view room (in order for me to be able to watch the children from our room), and the fact that both myself and my children are strong swimmers and well aware of the dangers involved, we found that my 9 yo son (the holder of a RLSCV Level 5 certificate) was not allowed within the pool area unless in the direct company of a person over the age of 18. Before we became aware of the strictness of the body-corporate rules, my son was twice ordered from the pool because I was not inside the fenced area although his 13 yo sister (the holder of a RLSCV Level 7 since 2002) was, and I was watching from our balcony.
These issues aside (as I told the managers “we might come back when Brendan turns 13”) the accommodation was everything we expected, the local area and beaches are beautiful and so much more peaceful than further north and the theme parks are within an hours’ drive – more suited to families with older children (or make sure you get a ground floor apartment !!)
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