Mirage? No it’s real at Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast
BRIDES always manage to steal the show the Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast.
It is Friday afternoon, the clock just a few ticks away from three, and a beautiful young twenty-something Katy Perry look-alike dressed in a white marshmallow gown has everyone’s attention.
Her mother gently squeezes her hand as they start the walk into the poolside function room where the ceremony will begin.
The gathered hotel guests and lingering staff, most with no connection to the wedding, collectively gasp as the bride stops. Is she ready, ready, ready . . . to run . . . Julia Roberts-style? Not today.
Her mum reaches out, wipes away a tear, and squeezes that hand just a little harder.
She responds and marches towards the groom, who has nervously watched this unfold from a distance.
During the heady days of Christopher Skase-ownership the Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast was the place to be seen. Nothing rivalled it for glitz and glamour.
It appears nothing has changed. There is no hotel in Australia that can match the grand scale of the Mirage’s foyer and it would be cost-prohibitive by today’s standards for anyone to try.
Foyer is bigger than a football pitch
It is bigger than a football field. The floors are marble and bathed in natural light. The Gold Coast’s iconic strip of beach, just through the windows and past the lagoon pools, provides the wow factor.
The Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast tends to be overlooked by trendy types putting lists together of “Australia’s hot hotels”. But to leave it off such a list would be a terrible mistake.
The hotel has almost been completely renovated. The planned makeover of the intimate Oyster Bar restaurant will be one of the final touches to this hotel masterpiece.
Ocean views from the Royal Suite.
My wife and I were booked into the Royal Suite – Room 3034. It is the second time we have stayed in this room. We slept here about two years ago when it was first renovated. We loved it, but the hotel management and owners in their wisdom had decided that it wasn’t quite right.
The suite is about the size of a standard two-bedroom inner city apartment.
But that is the only time you would use the word standard and Room 3034 in the same sentence.
The suite has 180-degree beach views. You can hear the waves breaking and smell the sea. It is the ultimate in beach chic.
I’m told the furnishing alone cost close to $180,000.
The Royal Suite has everything you could want
There’s a small, but practical, kitchenette. Two distinct sitting areas – one with a giant wide-screen television (yes there is Foxtel) and the other with a fireplace. There’s a four-person dining table with the cutest Alice in Wonderland chairs.
The ensuite has blue marble floors that lead to a rain shower, huge bath, dual sinks with supplied toiletries, bidet and toilet. There’s a walk-in wardrobe with a dressing area.
But forget all that. The highlight for me was the king bed. I slept in until 9am both days and almost missed breakfast.
Which brings me to Sheraton Mirage’s food offerings.
Whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, the food in Terraces Restaurant pays tribute to its surrounds with seafood influences.
It is fresh, a little costly, but you could never complain about serve sizes at the buffet.
Terraces’ buffet has a fantastic range of seafood.
For something completely indulgent but equally mouth-watering, try the high tea in Pearls Bar. The Oyster Bar menu is small and at times unexpected but my advice is try the dozen oysters (my plate actually had 13 but no complaints here) and the steak with truffle-infused mash.
The mash was on my plate, but one taste, and my wife couldn’t stop. She almost inhaled the entire serving.
The Oyster Bar has an emphasis on fresh local seafood.
INSIDER TIP
Why not make a green choice, save the planet, and save yourself some money at the same time. If you decide to decline housekeeping services (except on the day of departure) you will receive a $15 food voucher to enjoy during your stay. How good is that?
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