This article was written in partnership with our friends at QT Gold Coast.
Above the street and near the sea – clear your weekend for a cabin stay at QT Gold Coast
Feb 06, 2026, updated Feb 06, 2026
When we think of a cabin, it’s usually a cosy little abode tucked away in rolling countryside. But one of the more unexpected cabin stays can actually be found in the heart of Surfers Paradise. At QT Gold Coast, an open-air sanctuary plays host to a small collection of cabins designed for a low-key, restorative weekend away. With the beach close by and the city humming below, it offers a different take on switching off as the year begins to gather pace.
Is it just us, or has 2026 gotten off to a pretty hectic start? There was no such thing as a gentle January this year, so we’re already feeling a little bit tuckered out.
For us, the easiest way to recalibrate after a busy stretch is a short escape – not necessarily far from home, but far enough from routine to feel like a break. That’s what led us to QT Gold Coast, the hotel known for its bold design and easy comforts.
Rather than booking a standard room or suite, we opted for a stay at qtQT. Set on the second level, this open-air oasis sits above the energy of Surfers Paradise and feels worlds away from the street below. Part tropical retreat, part private hideaway, it’s a surprisingly calm pocket within the hotel.
qtQT is home to six cabins, each designed for up to two guests. The spaces are compact but thoughtfully appointed, with QT Dream Beds dressed in I Love Linen bedding, Saya Skincare bathroom amenities, Firebird ceramics and Drift diffusers made in Currumbin. Lush greenery frames the windows, and each cabin opens onto a private patio that catches the sea breeze, giving the impression of being somewhere far more remote.
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There’s an emphasis on unplugging here – there are no televisions in the cabins – but that doesn’t mean there’s little to do. The hotel’s concierge, known as the Curator of Sunshine, can arrange a range of on-site experiences if you’re inclined. Aperitivo hour marks the start of the stay, with a welcome spritz and snack platter enjoyed either on your patio or the shaded terrace nearby.
The rest of the experience can be as active or as unhurried as you like. Options include a private sunrise yoga session on the qtQT lawn, time spent poolside in one of QT’s cabanas, or a visit to spaQ for a couples treatment, complete with a Hammam-inspired steam room ritual and a 60-minute relaxation massage.
For gourmands, the Curator of Sunshine can help tee up whisky tastings and sushi masterclasses at Yamagen (the place for dinner during your stay, if we do say so ourselves), cocktail-making classes and picture-perfect picnics for two. Those feeling adventurous can line up a surf lesson with Go Ride A Wave and a snorkelling session with Gold Coast Dive Centre.
Whether you spend your stay flowing through sunrise yoga, sipping cocktails at golden hour or doing absolutely nothing at all, qtQT makes slowing down feel effortless. It’s a cabin stay with a coastal twist – and a gentle nudge to book yourself a break before the calendar fills up again.