Ashmore Palms Holiday Village

Ashmore Palms Holiday Village is a large, family-friendly collection of cabins and houses aimed both at tourists and at business travelers, or those moving to the Gold Coast and needing somewhere to stay temporarily while looking for a more permanent home. As the name suggests, it really is like a village and resembles a residential area, with lots of cabins and small houses lining its streets. Check-in takes place in a hybrid foyer-gift shop area with a front desk, a sofa, and a couple of chairs for guests, plus lots of maps, brochures, postcards, and souvenir items for sale. At the heart of the property is a tropical garden with a mile-long (about one-and-a-half kilometers) walkway and extensive rainforest-style foliage, along with a fish pond and a huge number of Macaw parrots. 

Ashmore Palms Holiday Village is located on a quiet side street in Ashmore, a small community located about a 12-minute drive inland from Surfers Paradise and an eight-minute drive from the Royal Pines Resort Golf Course and the Emerald Lakes Golf Club in nearby Benowa. There's not much of interest within walking distance, and most nearby businesses are catered toward locals (think car, boat, and motorcycle dealerships), so those planning on staying here will really need a car. It's a 17-minute drive to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, while the Gold Coast Airport is a 45-minute drive away, depending on traffic.

Ashmore Palms Holiday Village offers a variety of housing options across villa and cabin categories. Options range from One-, Two-, and Three-Bedroom Interim Cabins designed for people on extended vacations or in the process of relocating, clear up to two-story houses for up to two adults and four children (many units feature bunk beds). Decor and furnishings differ quite a bit between units, and while many feature simple furniture and dated upholstery (think mustard-yellow bedspreads), others have a sleeker, neutral color scheme. Kitchens come standard but included features depend on unit type. Most rooms have simple bathrooms with walk-in showers, though some -- such as Macaw Mansions -- add whirlpool bathtubs. Basic toiletries are provided. 

Ashmore Palms offers a ton of features, particularly geared toward families with kids. There are two outdoor lagoon-style swimming pools lined with lounge chairs (though both are a bit on the small side). One features mushroom-shaped water features in a children's splash area, while the other has a lovely rock fountain. The hotel also offers lots of free kids' activities (they even have a giant costumed parrot mascot to keep young ones entertained); other children's amenities include a play area and two playgrounds with all sorts of climbing areas, plus a slide. Additionally, a main activity center with a kitchen, a play area for toddlers, and regular events such as movie nights. The space can also be rented out for groups of up to 250 people (theater style). For adults, there are a tennis court that guests can use free of charge and a laundry room with washer/dryers. A covered coin-operated outdoor barbecue area is on-site. Parking is free at the property, but there is a fee for Wi-Fi.