Quest Southport is now open
Quest Southport opens today with apartment stays, rooftop views, light rail access and local Gold Coast operation.
What’s happening?
Quest Apartment Hotels has opened Quest Southport today, adding a new apartment-style stay to one of the Gold Coast’s busiest centres.
The new hotel at 29-31 Lather Street brings 90 self-contained apartments to Southport, with a rooftop pool overlooking the Gold Coast skyline. It has been designed for business travellers, families and longer-stay guests who want more space than a standard hotel room.
Guests can choose from studios through to three-bedroom apartments, with each room offering either a kitchenette or a fully equipped kitchen. The property also includes accessible accommodation, a gym, a guest laundry, and secure on-site parking.
The location gives the hotel a strong transport link, with the Gold Coast light rail at the doorstep. Guests can travel directly to Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and other parts of the city without relying on a car.
The property is locally operated by Gold Coast local Fleur Nadzielski, an experienced Quest franchisee. It is also the second Quest property developed by the Vecchio Group.
Why it matters?
The opening comes as travellers continue to look for better value and more flexibility when booking accommodation.
Apartment-style stays can help families and longer-stay guests manage costs while away. Kitchens and laundry facilities give people the option to cook, wash clothes and settle into a routine, rather than relying on eating out or paid services every day.
David Mansfield, Managing Director of The Ascott Limited Australasia, which includes Quest Apartment Hotels, said travellers want accommodation that gives them more space and control.
“Travellers are increasingly looking for accommodation that gives them more - more space, more flexibility, more of a home base. Apartment-style stays have always made practical sense for business travellers and project teams, but we’re seeing strong demand from leisure travellers and families too. Quest Southport offers all of that, in a location that genuinely has it all.”
The property also adds more accessible travel options in a central Gold Coast location. That matters for visitors who need practical room layouts, nearby transport and hotel facilities in one place.
Southport has changed in recent years. It is no longer just a pass-through area for beachside suburbs further south. It is home to the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, Griffith University, legal and government offices, and a growing retail and dining scene.
Local Impact
Quest Southport adds more accommodation capacity in a part of the Gold Coast that serves several visitor groups.
The hotel is well-placed for people visiting hospitals, universities, offices, and nearby tourist areas. It also gives project teams, families and business travellers a self-contained option close to public transport.
The local operation is also central to Quest’s model. The brand places franchise operators in the communities they serve, with a focus on local jobs, local sourcing and long-term neighbourhood connections.
Fleur Nadzielski, franchisee operator of Quest Southport, said the opening was a proud milestone.
“Opening Quest Southport is an incredibly proud milestone for me. As my third Quest property, it reflects both my passion for the brand and my commitment to delivering exceptional accommodation experiences. As a Gold Coast local, I’m especially excited to bring this new property to market in the community I proudly call home. I look forward to welcoming guests, creating local opportunities and contributing to the continued growth of Southport and the wider Gold Coast region.”
The project also carries a strong development story. John Vecchio arrived in Australia in 1960 with five pounds sterling and built a business from the ground up. His son Sam, a structural engineer, later grew it into a development business spanning residential, retail and hotel projects.
Their first Quest property was at Breakfast Creek, after the family chose during the GFC to convert unsold apartments into a hotel.
Sam Vecchio, Managing Director at Vecchio Property Group, said the group is taking a long-term view in Southport.
“We invest in places we believe in, and we’re in Southport for the long term - not building to sell. We wanted an asset that would hold its quality for decades, and Quest’s corporate model gives us that. The property looks after itself when the people running it have genuine skin in the game.”
By the Numbers
Six Quest properties were recently named among Tripadvisor’s ten best hotels in Australia, adding to the brand’s national recognition this year.
Quest has more than 120 properties across Australia, making it the country’s largest apartment hotel network.
The wider Quest network includes 160 properties globally, with a target of more than 200 Quest properties and 30 managed hotels nationally by 2030.
Zoom In
Quest Southport’s main point of difference is its mix of location and room style.
The rooftop pool gives the property a leisure drawcard, while the apartment layouts support longer stays. That mix is likely to appeal to people travelling for work, family needs, study, health appointments or holidays.
The kitchen and laundry facilities are also practical. They give guests more control over daily routines, which can matter on longer trips or when travelling with children.
Zoom Out
The opening adds to a strong year for Quest.
The brand was named Franchisor of the Year, as well as Franchisor of the Year for networks of 51 or more units, at the Franchise Council of Australia’s 2026 Industry Awards.
Quest and Ascott are also opening five properties and rebranding another this year, as they work towards a larger network across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
For Southport, the hotel reflects a broader change. The suburb is becoming a stronger base for work, study, health, dining and travel, rather than just a stop on the way to the beach.
What To Look For Next?
Quest Southport is now open, with bookings available at www.questsouthport.com.
The property settles into Southport’s growing visitor market. With apartment-style rooms, light-rail access and local operations, it has a strong base to serve business travellers, families and longer-stay guests.