Located opposite the beach in the heart of Coolangatta, The Strand is the centre of the action in the Gold Coast's southernmost district and home to the best dining, entertainment and retail options under one roof this side of Broadbeach. Since undergoing transformative renovations by the storied Buchan Group, an award-winning global design firm with roots dating back to 1890 and dozens of cutting edge projects to its credit around the world, The Strand has become a hit with both locals and tourists.

A wide variety of restaurants and cafés can be found both at street level along the bustling beachside promenade as well as on the first floor, where panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean perfectly compliment your meal. If it's entertainment you're after, the in-house cinema features the latest movies in both standard and 3D format, while the huge Timezone family fun centre offers more than 200 of the latest and most popular games as well as a full-sized bowling alley – the perfect place to escape the sun or the rain depending on the season.

When it comes to shopping, there's an eclectic mix of big name international brands and local boutiques, as well as two large supermarkets and Coolangatta's only free-range butcher for all of your self-catering needs, and useful services include hair salons, a chemist, medical clinic, massage centre and even traditional Chinese medicine. WiFi is free throughout the premises and there are ample parking spots in the underground garage for those coming by car.