First imagined by Paradise Resort Gold Coast General Manager David Brook more than 15 years ago and brought to life through the foresight, investment and support of resort owner Dr Jerry Schwartz, Oh Shun Blu will introduce a new adults-only pool and bar precinct alongside expanded activity and entertainment spaces for families.
Paradise Gold Coast is preparing to open the first stage of Oh Shun Blu, a brand-new adults-only retreat created to bring a little more “paradise for parents” to the Gold Coast’s much-loved family resort.
Expecting to welcome its first guests this Christmas, the new precinct will feature a heated 25-metre swimming pool with built-in spa jets, landscaped surrounds, poolside lounging and a swim-up bar, exclusively available to Paradise Resort guests aged 18 and over.
But while Oh Shun Blu may be new, the thinking behind it has run alongside the resort’s transformation for more than 15 years.
When General Manager David Brook joined Paradise Resort 16 years ago, the property already had a Kids Club, activities and a clear focus on children, but it had not yet developed into the dedicated family resort guests know today.
“The focus on children was there, but we knew we had to keep developing the kids’ experience and make family entertainment the heart of the resort,” David said. “At the same time, in the back of my mind was always the goal of creating a dedicated zone where adults could enjoy part of the holiday for themselves.”
“Over the past 16 years, a great deal of hard work has gone into building the waterparks, activities, entertainment and facilities that have made Paradise the family resort it is today. Oh Shun Blu is the long-held adult part of that vision – a place where parents can step away for a while, enjoy a cocktail by the pool and feel like they are having a holiday of their own.”
A vision backed by belief and investment
Turning that vision into reality required an owner prepared to believe in the concept and commit the investment needed to make it happen. Resort owner Dr Jerry Schwartz has supported Oh Shun Blu throughout its development, providing the funding to bring the long-held concept to life and sharing the team’s enthusiasm for what it will add to the Paradise experience.
“While the original concept is something I am very proud of, a project of this scale does not happen without an owner who has the foresight to see its potential and the confidence to back it,” David said.
“Jerry has been fully supportive throughout the development. He has not only provided the funding but has continued to look for ways to make the overall project even better. His enthusiasm, belief in the team and commitment to the outcome have been instrumental. We simply could not have delivered this without him.”
Dr Schwartz also broadened the development beyond the new adults-only pool, bar and lounge, adding further facilities on the level below. These include The Hub, a dedicated new home for the resort’s extensive program of kids’ activities and workshops; a new outdoor lawn area designed for family movie nights under the stars; and The Arena, a new indoor entertainment space near Kids Club and the games room.
With that backing in place, David has been hands-on throughout the development of Oh Shun Blu, personally helping shape almost every aspect of the new precinct.
From designing the layout and flow of the space to sourcing furniture, finishes and decor, David has worked closely with the project team to bring the concept to life. He has also played a role in developing the Oh Shun Blu name and branding, ensuring the personality of the new precinct feels distinctly connected to Paradise Resort while offering something completely different.
“It has definitely been a passion project,” David said. “I have been involved in everything from where things should sit and how guests will move through the space, to furniture, artwork, colours and branding. After thinking about it for so many years, it is incredibly rewarding to finally walk through the area and see those ideas becoming real.”
A new side of paradise
Tucked away from the excitement of the resort’s waterparks and family facilities, Oh Shun Blu has been designed as a relaxed, tropical retreat exclusively for adults.
At the heart of Stage One will be a 25-metre pool complete with built-in spa jets and a swim-up bar serving handcrafted cocktails and poolside refreshments. Guests can stretch out on a sun lounge, take a leisurely swim or simply enjoy some child-free downtime without ever leaving the resort.
The new development will also introduce 12 Pool Access Rooms, giving guests staying in selected Deluxe Resort Rooms direct access to the Oh Shun Blu pool and bar precinct. The second stage, which is set to open in early 2027, will complete the space with an indoor tapas and lounge bar.
For a resort that has spent decades building its reputation around family fun, David says Oh Shun Blu is not about changing what Paradise Resort does best – it is about completing the experience.
“We will always be a family resort. Kids are at the heart of Paradise, and that will never change,” he said.
“Oh Shun Blu is about recognising that a great family holiday should have something for everyone. The kids can still have the time of their lives at the waterparks, Kids Club and daily activities, while the grown-ups – whether that is Mum and Dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles or family friends – now have somewhere they can genuinely switch off, unwind and enjoy a little holiday time of their own too.”
“For me, that is what was always missing from the Paradise experience. We had heaven for kids. Now, with Oh Shun Blu, we are creating a paradise for the grown-ups too.”
A new chapter for a Gold Coast icon
The opening of Oh Shun Blu will mark another significant chapter in the evolution of the long-standing Surfers Paradise property, which first opened as The Resort in 1982.
Over more than four decades, the property has continued to evolve – from The Resort to Ocean Blue Resort, Mercure Resort Surfers Paradise and, since 2007, Paradise Resort Gold Coast.
The Oh Shun Blu name offers a playful nod to one of those earlier chapters, taking inspiration from the property’s former Ocean Blue Resort identity while creating an entirely new experience for today’s guests.
Together, Oh Shun Blu and the new family activity and entertainment spaces represent a substantial further investment by Dr Schwartz in the future of Paradise Resort and its appeal to the next generation of families.
For David, who has spent 16 years helping shape Paradise Resort into the destination it is today, seeing this next stage of the resort come to life is particularly significant.
“Paradise has changed enormously over the years, but we have always tried to stay true to what our guests want from a family holiday,” he said.
“This is about continuing to evolve Paradise for the next generation of families. We are creating exciting new spaces for kids and families to enjoy together, while finally delivering that dedicated adults-only experience we have talked about for so long.”
“It has been a long journey, and there have certainly been challenges along the way, but Jerry has remained enthusiastic and supportive, and the entire team has kept pushing towards the same outcome. I cannot wait to see our first guests sitting beside the Oh Shun Blu pool, cocktail in hand, while a whole new chapter of Paradise comes to life around them.”
About Oh Shun Blu
Oh Shun Blu is Paradise Resort Gold Coast’s new adults-only retreat, exclusively available to resort guests aged 18+. Stage One will feature a heated 25-metre pool with built-in spa jets, landscaped poolside areas, sun lounges and a swim-up bar, along with 12 Deluxe Pool Access Rooms offering direct access to the precinct. Oh Shun Blu is located on the reception level of Paradise Resort Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise.
About Paradise Resort Gold Coast
Paradise Resort Gold Coast is one of Australia’s leading family resorts, offering accommodation and an extensive range of attractions and entertainment in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Facilities include two waterparks, a lagoon pool and spa, as well as a Kids Club, miniature train, carousel, games arcade, daily activities, live entertainment and a variety of dining outlets.
8 October, 2026
