The Pink Hotel Coolangatta
Rock 'n' roll retro meets Scandi-cool. Think mid-century motel bones with a Palm Springs palette — flamingo pink facade, mustard velvet, neon signs and murals — all kept deliberately loose and fun rather than precious. Coolangatta's most chill-out hotel in its most chilled-out suburb.
Book front-facing rooms for ocean views and morning sun; back rooms sit directly over the bar and get noisy until midnight
Why It Matters
Originally the Coolangatta Ocean View Motel (designed by Scottish architect George Rae and opened in 1963), the building sat at the Queensland border roundabout for decades before being reimagined in 2018 as a boutique arts hotel. It has attracted celebrity guests including director Baz Luhrmann and attracted international media attention, and is listed with Tablet Hotels. Every room is genuinely unique — no two share the same mural, neon text or colour palette. Eddie's Grub House downstairs was also formerly a Chinese restaurant that appeared in Australian cult film Muriel's Wedding.
The Pink Hotel is exactly what it sounds like — a flamingo-pink, three-storey 1960s motel on Coolangatta's main beachfront drag, completely transformed in 2018 into one of Australia's most Instagrammed small hotels. Eighteen individually decorated rooms pack in hand-painted murals by local artist Jamie Peters, custom neon poetry, black Smeg fridges and Koala king mattresses. Below the rooms is Eddie's Grub House, a proper rock 'n' roll whiskey dive bar with live music most nights; above everything is the Santeria rooftop, with views sweeping from Greenmount headland all the way to Surfers Paradise.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Artist Suite
The biggest room in the hotel and the one to book for groups or a special occasion. Two bedrooms, a private balcony, kitchenette, four-person dining table, a bar with fridge and a white piano. Enough space for small private functions (rooftop must be included with accommodation for hire). Featuring original mural art including film fan art such as Leon the Professional.
King
King Deluxe Room
Located on the ground floor with a courtyard view. Individually decorated with the hotel's signature art, neon and mid-century furniture. Includes a bar area and seating area. Access to the rooftop and Eddie's room service.
KingMedusa Balcony King Room
The standout mid-tier room. Situated on level two, it has a private balcony with views across Coolangatta toward Surfers Paradise, a chaise lounge, and exposed timber ceilings. The signature piece is the hand-painted 'Flamingo Medusa' bedhead mural by Jamie Peters — Medusa's snake hair replaced with flamingo heads, cigarette drooping from her snarl. Comes with a vinyl record player hidden inside a black-lacquered side table, two flamingo-print bathrobes, and a personal Smeg bar. Note: Eddie's Grub House is directly below — noise can carry until midnight. From approximately AUD$259/night.
KingStandard King Room
Ground and middle floor rooms with either a courtyard view or ocean glimpses. Each has a unique identity — different mural, different neon inscription, different colour palette. All include a Smeg bar fridge, stocked minibar, air conditioning, Netflix and free WiFi. Bathrooms are Scandinavian in style with shower and separate toilet.
KingSuperior King Suite
Step up for actual ocean views. The Superior King Suite adds a sofa bed and bar with fridge, and overlooks the water rather than the courtyard. Mid-century art and neon throughout. From approximately AUD$209/night.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The hotel sits directly opposite Greenmount Beach. Snapper Rocks (one of Australia's most famous surf breaks), Rainbow Bay and Kirra Beach are all within walking distance. Beach towels available from the hotel.
Eddie's runs live music throughout the week, with Sunday afternoon jam sessions that draw a mix of locals and hotel guests. Blues, rock and everything in between — it's not a schedule you need to plan around, it just happens.
Shoots from AUD$1,000–$3,500 plus accommodation if required. Must be pre-arranged with management.
The hotel accepts private group bookings and small functions, with catering packages available. The rooftop must be booked in conjunction with accommodation. No bucks/hens nights or 18th/21st birthday parties accepted.
Exclusive rooftop bar for hotel guests with panoramic ocean views. Friday and Saturday have full cocktail bar service. Other nights, guests can BYO food and drinks until 8pm. Best at sunset.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The property is stairs-only across 3 floors. Not suitable for guests with limited mobility.
Complimentary WiFi in all rooms.
Room service from Eddie's Grub House (burgers, wings, sides) available Wednesday through Sunday, subject to change.
All rooms have a Smeg bar fridge stocked with snacks (crisps, chocolate, popcorn, nuts), canned cocktails and a Hydralyte. Charged at consumption.
All rooms have Netflix on Smart TVs. No free-to-air TV available.
Ground-level courtyard with fairy lights, palm trees, plastic flamingos and lawn chairs.
Cuban-themed rooftop bar exclusive to hotel guests. Bar service Friday–Saturday; BYO until 8pm other nights. Panoramic ocean views.
There is no swimming pool on site. The beach is directly across the road.
Limited off-street parking available. Not guaranteed — street parking on nearby roads is the main option. No dedicated hotel car park.
No on-site gym or fitness facilities.
BUILD YOUR THE PINK HOTEL COOLANGATTA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning