Two people can go to the same city and have vastly different experiences, and sometimes its down to one or two small things. I have a recent example.
I was talking with a Mexican friend of mine the other day, who said, with respect to my wife, that she has no interest in going to Thailand. Fair enough - its not for anybody, but when i probed her a bit, she told me how her best friend got ripped off by a cabbie (allegedly) from the airport to their hotel when they first arrived. This put them in a foul mood for the whole trip, and so, to her, the whole country is rubbish.
Some places people slag off like LA I quite liked actually (and I didn't even go to Disneyland!).
Funny when people want to go to Goa, it's because.... it isn't really India.
For the record, my favourite holiday places so far overseas have been: Thailand (but mostly because of local knowledge, it's a lot more than Phuket), USA (road trips in particular - the best way to see it), Vietnam (went on a tour and was just so different, a the time (2003) to anywhere i've been.
In Australia: Kakadu. Do yourself a favour and go. The most amazing place i've been in the world.
On my "list": Japan, NZ and Angkor Wat (have been to Cambodia but not there - but now its looking like i'm going with the inlaws next year).
I don't really have a least favourite. I have found some places "underwhelming" though - Italy being the best example.
I also think Gold Coast gets an unnecessary bad rep. I think its a great low cost getaway, especially for families. For people in Brisbane its a good for a day trip of a cheeky weekend - its good as it keeps the tourists out of Brisbane