Wyndham is set to brand Queensland’s Couran Cove Resort under Ramada, following the signing of a franchise agreement with owners Couran Cove Holdings, which will continue to manage the property.

The resort, purchased late last year by Brisbane businessman Craig Dowling of Couran Cove Holdings, has since been undergoing a major refurbishment.

Ramada Couran Cove Island Resort 

“We will have the ability to take guests from July 1, 2013 and we will be advising all owners that they can join the letting pool if they refurbish their apartments,” Dowling said.

“This is great news for Couran Cove and opens up a fantastic island holiday getaway destination with an internationally experienced hotel brand behind it.

“The Ramada brand has been selected after a long process, as being the brand we consider to be most suitable for the resort.

“In particular, we are impressed with the high regard in which the Ramada brand is held both in Australia and throughout the world; the marketing capabilities of the organisation behind the Ramada Brand; the rapport that has already evolved with the Wyndham management; and the fact that the Australian head office for Ramada with its 680 strong staff is based right here on the Gold Coast,” he said.

Ramada Couran Cove Island Resort will reopen fully in late September as a 350-room complex. Accommodation options include Waterfront Marine Suites, Lagoon Lodges and Villas offering sweeping views, as well as fully self-contained Holiday Cabins set within the natural serenity of the banksia rainforest.

“We are starting to bring the resort back to its originally intended grandeur,” Dowling said.

“There’s nothing else like it on the Gold Coast and the opportunity to be part of it will soon be available when we release the first of our residential product to the market.

“Where else in the world can you be sitting on a relaxed island with kilometres of unspoilt beaches and yet be only a 15-minute boat ride away from a major destination such as Surfers Paradise. It is truly unique.”

Dowling said Couran Cove’s Spa Island and associated dining facilities had already re-opened with the restaurant operating on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each week.

“We have the marina open and operating and we will be launching our Marina Members Club shortly which will be exciting news for all the boaties on the Gold Coast,” he said.

The addition of Ramada Couran Cove Island Resort comes hot on the heels of the Wyndham’s official opening of Ramada Phillip Island in Victoria earlier this week.

“The Gold Coast continues to be an important and viable market that offers great opportunity for Wyndham Hotel Group and its brands and I’m delighted with the inclusion of this unique island resort into our growing Ramada portfolio,” said Wyndham Hotel Group’s Managing Director in the South Pacific, Barry Robinson.

Wyndham Hotel Group and Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific currently own, manage, and franchise 25 properties across the South Pacific.