Apartment hotels have long been popular with business travellers, but they’re increasingly becoming a smart choice for families looking for more space without paying luxury resort prices.
That growing appeal has been highlighted by the latest Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards, where Quest Apartment Hotels claimed six of Australia’s top ten hotels. The announcement comes as the company opens its newest property on the Gold Coast, giving families another apartment-style accommodation option in one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations.
Quest dominates Tripadvisor’s best hotels
Quest Apartment Hotels secured six positions inside Tripadvisor’s 2026 list of Australia’s top ten hotels:
- #3 Quest Orange (NSW)
- #5 Quest Robina (QLD)
- #6 Quest Docklands (VIC)
- #7 Quest Perth Ascot (WA)
- #8 Quest St Kilda Road (VIC)
- #9 Quest Singleton (NSW)
The recognition didn’t stop there, with another five Quest properties earning places across Tripadvisor’s Small & Boutique Hotels and B&Bs & Inns categories.
Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Awards represent the platform’s highest level of recognition and are based on consistently outstanding guest reviews collected over a 12-month period. Fewer than one per cent of the platform’s eight million listings worldwide receive the award.
One interesting takeaway is that only one of Quest’s top six properties is located in a capital city CBD. The remaining hotels are spread across regional centres and suburban locations, reflecting the growing demand for quality accommodation beyond traditional city centres.
David Mansfield, Managing Director of The Ascott Limited Australasia, said the awards were especially meaningful because they were based entirely on guest feedback.
“To have six of Australia’s top ten hotels on Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best list come from the one brand is a remarkable result,” he said.
“This award is driven by real guests leaving real reviews, which makes it one of the most meaningful endorsements in our industry.”
Quest Southport opens on the Gold Coast
Adding to the brand’s momentum is the opening of Quest Southport on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The new apartment hotel features 90 self-contained apartments ranging from studios through to three-bedroom accommodation, along with a rooftop swimming pool, fitness centre, guest laundry and secure parking.
Located in Southport, guests are within easy reach of Griffith University, the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct and the G:link light rail, which provides direct access to Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
Every apartment includes either a kitchenette or full kitchen, making longer stays considerably easier for families wanting the flexibility to prepare some meals themselves.
According to Mansfield, demand for apartment-style accommodation continues to grow among both business and leisure travellers.
“Travellers are increasingly looking for accommodation that gives them more – more space, more flexibility, more of a home base,” he said.
Why apartment hotels make sense for families
For families, apartment-style accommodation offers several practical advantages over a standard hotel room.
Separate bedrooms mean parents don’t have to tiptoe around once the kids go to sleep. Kitchens make it easy to prepare breakfast or simple dinners rather than eating every meal out, while laundry facilities are particularly useful on longer holidays and sports carnival trips.
Those small conveniences can make travelling with children significantly easier while also helping keep holiday costs under control.
We’ve experienced this ourselves during a stay at Quest Ipswich. Having separate bedrooms, a full kitchen and a washing machine made the apartment feel much more like a home away from home than a traditional hotel room, particularly when travelling as a family.
Looking ahead
Quest currently operates more than 160 apartment hotels across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji and has ambitious expansion plans, aiming to exceed 200 Quest properties and 30 managed hotels nationally by 2030.
With more Australians choosing longer domestic holidays, road trips and multi-generational travel, apartment-style accommodation appears well placed to continue growing in popularity.
The combination of more space, self-contained facilities and competitive pricing is making it an increasingly attractive option for families looking for practical accommodation without sacrificing comfort.
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