We stayed in the Islander in June/July 2005. I didn't know about Tripadvisor back then - hence the extremely belated review! When we stayed there (NOTE: This was a good few years ago, so I cant vouch for its current state!) I have to say that it wasnt that bad! Sure - its not a luxury hotel, but I wouldn't consider it to be a dive either.

Reception staff from memory weren't nice nor horrible. The elevators were a bit dank and dirty and slow - but the room we had was a spacious and clean apartment. We loved the space, and it was great to be able to cook ourselves breakfast in the kitchen in the mornings, nap in the lounge in the afternoons, and shut the world away in our bedroom in the nights. The bed was comfortable enough for two 20 year olds, and there were no bed bugs etc.

Location in relation to Caville Ave is fabulous - and it was great for the budget being able to walk virtually everywhere, with the main bus stops to the various parks etc all very close.

So there were high points, but yes, there were low points...

The bathroom was VERY old and VERY, well, "urgh". It was one of those permanently mouldy shower-over-baths, which you try hard not to touch the walls, and actually felt dirtier for having had a shower in.

In saying this, because we arrived during the Gold Coast floods and most of our plans were ruined, we chose to stay another couple of nights. We decided to move a little closer to the beach, to a hotel just up the road. BAD MOVE.

I cant remember the name of the place, but it was a chain hotel, and what we would have expected to have been better than the Islander, but in comparison it was pokey, dirty, and the bathroom was just as bad, if not worse! Not to mention we only had 2 single beds! Hardly conducive to a romantic getaway!

In any event - the Islander - during our stay in 2005 - wasnt that bad. Just get a room away from the 'backpackers' side of the hotel, and an apartment room.

for $205.00 per night the rooms were good, lots of space, BUT the A/C did not work, the lights in the room did not work, The lights were sorted after about 20 minutes, the A/C did not work all night so we got fans.

The Duty manager on the evening said we would get a discount on the room, the next morning on checkout the Duty manager reply was

(well ive not been told anything about this!!!!)

SO we did not get our discount -

*****PLUS YOU HAVE TO PAY ON ARRIVAL IN FULL*******We are in the year 2008 what is ALL that about

Watch out

I have to say, after reading the other reviews of this hotel, im wondering whether we were staying at the same place!
Thankfully, I didn't read these reviews before booking - if I did, I probably wouldn't have stayed here, and, all things considered, this is one of the better places I stayed in Australia.
I arrived here with my fiancee for a three night stay, and we were so pleased with the hotel, and Sufers Paradise generally, we booked an extra night. (for the same price as the cheap online rate we had got initially).
We were pleasantly surprised to find that the hotel was literally next door to the bus station, as well as being just a five minute walk to the beach and main streets.
The reception staff were friendly, although the girl who served us had just started, and accidentally only charged us for one night, which we had to sort out. We also asked during our stay for directions, as well as extending our stay, and the staff were always very helpful, polite and friendly.
The layout of the hotel was slightly bizzare - I gather they had renovated half of the hotel, which is "Islander Resort Hotel," and the other half was left unrenovated, called "Islander Backpackers Resort Hotel." We stayed in the backpackers part, for around $60 dollars a night.
The hotel part had a seperate entrance with a flashier reception, and probably better rooms, but for $60, we weren't complaining!
The backpacker room we stayed in was quite big, and was basically a standard hotel room for backpacker prices, with a table and sofa as well as the basic bed.
There was a pool and 2 spa pools at the hotel, which looked really nice, although I don't think I ever saw anyone in them!
There were also 2 internet cafes, and an adjoining restaurant which seemed pretty cheap, although we never ate there.
There was also on site parking, a tennis court and a huge games room (although only one white ball over 3 pool tables!)
The room was clean, although the top of the wall/ceiling was a little bit scruffy.
I don't really have any complaints about this hotel - the room decor and amenities could have been a bit more modern, but for the price it was a bargain!
I would definately stay here again.

Originally booked for 3 nights but after reading several negative reviews on this site we got a bit concerned and cancelled 2 of the nights.
The room we had was on 11th floor with good views over the river, quiet location and only 2 mins walk from Cavill Mall.
The furnishings were a bit tired but the room was clean and quite spacious with a balcony.
For the $90 we paid it was good value and great location.
I think it could be a different story at peak times of the season in the other part of the establishment which is Backpackers.
Everything was on site, internet cafe, restaurant, pool, car hire and friendly reception staff.
On reflection it was a pity that we cancelled the other 2 nights.
I would stay here again for the convenient location.