Alpha Sovereign Hotel

This modern high-rise lined with balconies doesn't stand out among its more contemporary neighbors, and the hotel's  simple, informal vibe is apparent right away. Guests enter a spare, tiled lobby set with gray contemporary chairs and some outdoor-style furniture next to a large front desk. It feels more like a place to wait while in transit rather than somewhere to relax, though the hotel also has a plain restaurant and bar for guests, as well as grounds landscaped with tropical plants and a lovely outdoor pool with children's area. The atmosphere throughout won't win any design awards, but it's perfectly acceptable for a reasonably priced stay near the ocean. The hotel draws a good amount of families and couples on holiday, as well as a few business travelers.

Though the entrance to the hotel is on a smaller street, the property sits adjacent to the Gold Coast Highway, which is a major north-south thoroughfare bisecting Surfer's Paradise. The road receives a considerable amount of traffic and this does create some noise issues inside of the hotel. The area is very convenient to the beachfront shops that make the Surfer's Paradise Esplanade famous, and it takes 10 to 15 minutes to reach on foot depending on the destination. Cavill Avenue, the pedestrian street at the heart of Surfer's Paradise, is also a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Macintosh Island Park -- a popular tourist spot home to a wide array of birds -- is 12 minutes north of the hotel on foot, though again, the road is trafficky and the park can be reached in five minutes by car. The Gold Coast Airport takes about an hour to reach from the tram stop that is four blocks from the hotel on Surfer's Paradise Boulevard, though a bus transfer is required. A cab or car to the airport will take about 30 minutes, and Brisbane is an hour away by road.

Modern guest rooms have contemporary features like simple, light wood furniture and flat-screen TVs, though rooms across all categories are plain and austere. White walls are hung with one or two vibrant abstract or beachy pieces of art, and floors are covered in wall-to-wall plush gray carpeting, though drapes in some rooms are green and outdated. The smallest rooms have two twin beds pushed near each other, though larger rooms have far more space and bigger beds, and there are One- and Two- Bedroom Suites have dining and living areas. All Suites have contemporary gray upholstered furniture and kitchenettes, which include dishwashers, microwaves, and toasters, though they lack ranges. Some kitchenettes have hideous green formica counters, while others have more modern kitchen areas. All rooms have balconies with plastic furniture, an iron and ironing board, air-conditioning, and minibars. In general, bathrooms have terra cotta tiled floors and feature contemporary white vanities with plenty of storage space as well as stand-up showers or bathtub/shower combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Spa Suites have hot tub baths with rainfall showerheads. Some maintenance issues have been reported here, including peeling paint and stained carpets, and we noticed a bit of wear and tear throughout. Additionally, cleaning products and dishware were stored together in some of the rooms with kitchenettes that we visited and rooms facing the highway will get traffic noise. 

The hotel has an attractive outdoor pool set amid tropical plants with a sandy area near the shallow end that's perfect for children. The sauna and hot tub are in a quiet corner of the property and feel quite tranquil, and there is a modest fitness room with a handful of cardio and weight machines as well, though carpeting isn't the smartest design choice for this kind of feature. A small number of snacks and necessities are available for purchase near reception, and the hotel has a barbecue area within it's landscaped grounds, which include manicured patio walkways shaded by pergolas. There is also a game room filled with arcade games for kids (and the young at heart) and Flavours Restaurant serves a buffet breakfast with hot and cold options, as well as lunch and dinner, though none are included in room rates and the restaurant and bar have cafeteria-like vibe. Room service is also available. Wi-Fi is not free at the hotel and valet parking is available for a fee. The hotel can also arrange laundry and dry cleaning services.