MIRAGE ON THE SEA
THE BRIEF
Looking for a hotel right on the beach of Australia’s Gold Coast? There is only one that is literally up against the sand and its called the SHERATON GRAND MIRAGE RESORT. Here is my in-depth review of the Mirage on the Sea.
This property is a world away from the high-rise excesses of Surfers Paradise. Across the road and accessible via footbridge are the Marina Mirage designer shopping mall and Palazzo Versace hotel; Southport Yacht Club is just down the road and Sea World is 700 metres north.
Italian marble floors of the main lobby give way to a cantilevered indoor observation deck seemingly suspended before a three-story wall of glass which looks out onto the resort and the surf of the Pacific. The place has a nouveau chic elegance about it.
Slim Aarons was a photographer whose most popular image, The Kings of Hollywood (1957), epitomized the glamour, charisma, and celebrity that he sought to capture in his portraits. “Attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places,” Aarons famously once said to describe his practice. It’s perhaps fitting that his pictures adorn the halls of this iconic resort.
It was built in 1987 to cater to the rich and famous of the time. It was known as one of the finest hotels in the world and described as opulent. One of the prominent and well-known features of the resort is the lagoon. As you stroll the boardwalks you’ll pass a statue of mighty Poseidon (the god of the sea) standing guard.
The 295 room resort sits on 14 acres of tropical gardens, a large pool and lagoon, a manicured lawn with lush plants, and a sprawling beachfront. There are also 54 privately owned two and three-bedroom villas and some of them are available for guests. Upon entering the lobby, as you gaze out at the Ocean in front of you, your first thought will be this is a beautiful and massive international resort.
Rooms here are of a generous size and include the standard amenities you would expect. Because there are no balconies (except in the villas of Pacific Mirage) I opted for a King bed on the ground floor with a walkout terrace and garden view. The ocean was roaring just above the hedge a few feet away.
ROOMS
This option worked for a while until I discovered that the mosquitoes would not leave me alone on the terrace in the evening. I thought higher may do the trick even though there are no balconies and requested something on the top floor. The new room was a Premium King Oceanview.
KING OCEANVIEW SUITE
The view from the third floor was spectacular. The seemingly never-ending waves, manicured landscape, ocean path, and even the lifeguard tower overlooking the hotel’s Mirage beach area. A nice feature was the sliding glass window which allowed for the fresh ocean breeze and crashing surf to enter the room. A large windowsill allows you to get up and personal with almost balcony like exposure. The bed was comfortable, the room was clean, and the usual amenities from large screen TV to free high-speed WiFi was available.
A really nice feature recently installed at the hotel and available on each floor is a complimentary water refill station. Three taps offer ambient, chilled, or even sparkling water to fill your container. This innovative system will markedly reduce plastic containers at landfill sites while providing guests with optimal hydration during their stay.
POOLS
There are several pools on the resort but the main one for guests is the heated Oasis pool with swim-up bar. Very popular, especially with the families, so I found if you can wait till later in the afternoon you can usually get the pool almost to yourself for a nice swim. The bar closes at 4 pm so you’ll have to forget about the drinks. A children’s wading pool is also available on the north side.
GYM
One of the very few criticisms I have about the resort is the lack of an in-resort gym and spa. These amenities are next door having been contracted out to another business called the Golden Door Health Club. I found the facilities there not only lacking but in a state of ill repair. It is possible to get a basic workout and a steam here (there is no sauna).
RESTAURANTS
As you enter TERRACES the beautiful wood floors and accents greet you. The floor is populated with scandi-chic white tables and chairs and you are surrounded with glass windows overlooking the lagoon and Oasis pool area. It’s world-renowned for the seafood buffets served here and you’ll find locals and globetrotters alike enjoying lunch and dinner.
There is a large selection of hot and cold seafood and meats on display and a generous dessert section as well. Fresh seafood including oysters and prawns; freshly baked bread and pastries; comforting roasts and a delectable range of desserts are just some of the options on display at the buffet. I enjoyed the food and ambience so much I decided to have the buffet for dinner each night of my stay as well as the buffet breakfast which was equally amazing.
Opening Hours
Breakfast: 6am – 10:30am
Lunch: 12pm – 3pm
Dinner (Sunday – Thursday): 6pm – 9.30pm
Dinner (Friday & Saturday): 5.30pm – 10pm
Buffet Prices
Continental Breakfast – 38 Hot dishes excluded. Breakfast Buffet – 43 Monday – Saturday Breakfast Buffet – 49 Sunday Lunch Buffet – 69 Monday – Friday Lunch Buffet – 83 Saturday Lunch Buffet – 88 Sunday Dinner Buffet – 83 Monday – Thursday Dinner Buffet – 95 Friday & Saturday Dinner Buffet – 83 Sunday
Pearls Bar is the place to meet, eat and drink. It has exceptional service, light restaurant fare, expertly crafted cocktails or choose from an extensive beverage list inspired by local and international origins.
Hours
- Monday: 05:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Tuesday: 05:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Wednesday: 05:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Thursday: 05:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Friday: 05:00 PM–11:59 PM
- Saturday: 05:00 PM–11:59 PM
- Sunday: 05:00 PM–11:00 PM
Oyster Bar and Grill offers stylish surroundings together with a beautiful view of the grounds as well as the ocean. It features modern, Australian inspired tastes from land and sea, epitomizing the concept like no other. Focused on a healthy grill style of cooking, the menu extends to a share-style offering driven by fresh seafood with an extensive beverage list to complement each dish.
Hours
- Friday: 12:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM–10:00 PM
THE DEBRIEF
This hotel and resort was recommended to me by a very good friend in the hotel biz. When I booked the trip I had no idea of the history behind the place let alone what to expect. I was given the first-class treatment by the folks here and that helped to make it one of those SOJOURNS that go from ordinary to highly memorable and I’ve had only a few of those so far. If your in this neck of the woods, and looking to be spoiled in a place right by the ocean and known to host the who’s who of society, then the Sheraton Grand Mirage should be an easy choice.
👍👍👍
