Paradise Resort Gold Coast secures excellence award

Making an incredibly challenging year just a little bit brighter, the team at Paradise Resort Gold Coast has secured the Gold Coast Business Excellence Award for August 2021 - after surviving yet another lockdown. 

The Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards, sponsored by Destination Gold Coast,  are the region's most comprehensive and prestigious business honours and monthly winners are automatically entered into the overall Business of the Year Award to be presented at the GCBEA Gala Awards Dinner, on 20th November 2021.  

Paradise Resort Gold Coast General Manager David Brook was both elated and philosophical about being awarded the Gold Coast’s Business Excellence Award.  

Brook explained “winning the Award in August has provided a fantastic lift for the team because the month before we went from thrive to dive in just a few weeks as lockdown and border closures turned what was going to be a really strong winter into a blizzard of cancellations.  

“It wasn’t easy for anyone at the hotel, but what the team does brilliantly is survive. We used the COVID border-closures in 2020 to totally revamp and upgrade the hotel, including refurbished rooms, a new lobby and reception area, upgraded water park and ice rink, and even a new ride-on miniature train that showcases the resort’s extensive grounds.  

“We had a very good summer holiday season and we were adding even more facilities in the first half of 2021 when the NSW border closures hit in June, then Queensland lockdown happened in July, and now the team is completely rebuilding our marketing strategies in August. Who would resort to running a resort?"

Brook added “we know the rest of the year is going to be problematic, but I think that is why this award means so much to the team because while we can’t change the politics of lockdowns and border closures, we can keep our incredibly supportive guests up to date with all the positive things that are happening, and I have no doubt that when the situation stabilises we will benefit from an immediate upsurge in bookings.  

“To stay at the top, it is imperative to continually invest in the product, and our owner – Dr Jerry Schwartz – has completely refreshed the hotel, meaning even better facilities and entertainment value for families. He is launching the first Gold Coast Beer & Cider Festival in October because he believes in the destination and tourism’s role in supporting all of the Gold Coast community.”

Image top: Paradise Resort Gold Coast waterpark; image centre: Destination Gold Coast's Kate Barr with Paradise Resort Gold Coast's David Brook and Alicia Szerszyn; image above: Gold Coast Business Award; Paradise Resort Gold Coast Business Award August 2021