StarwoodGuy: Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast

I woke up on the morning of my departure from the Four Points Brisbane and had a workout in the small but adequate gym (so long as only 4 or 5 guests were present) and then did a walk around the city before having breakfast at the hotel which was quite good and then making my way on foot to the bus station. Getting from Brisbane to the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast is somewhat difficult in comparison to the public transit options offered in most cities in Australia. There is a train which goes to the Gold Coast and a different train service to the Sunshine Coast, but both take you in-land, meaning you then arrive and grab an Uber, taxi, or bus a rather long distance. I decided to avoid this by simply taking Greyhound Australia, with a direct service at a considerably lower price. I thought I was prepared that at forty I would be one of the oldest people on the bus but I was not prepared to be the only one without a backpack and clearly out of university. The bus trip at under and hour and half was amazingly efficient with a great wifi service and a funny amiable driver. I was fortunate to have the seat next to me empty so I was not cramped.

Upon arriving at the Gold Coast you could tell how much had been done for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, with light rail whizzing by, a new aquatic stadium and more cranes and towers then I have seen since Amazon started construction in Seattle. We were dropped off right in the heart of the Gold Coast at Surfers Paradise, but I had opted for the Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast, one of my favorite hotels from again around two decades earlier, so I grabbed an Uber for $8 to head up the beach a little rather then walk in the 32 degree celsius midday sun. Upon arrival at the hotel I was reminded why I loved it so much. The beautiful white lobby is bathed in light and looks out to the ponds and pool. I was greeted warmly and taken to my lovely suite with open access onto the ponds of the resort. I was given an upgrade to a lovely spa suite room with water access onto the resorts ponds. The room and atmosphere were immediately relaxing. I changed into board shorts and headed right out to the pool for the two nice free platinum drinks they gave me poolside before doing the walk to town. Since there is no Club Lounge they also provide breakfast and 500 bonus Starpoints and the restaurant and bar provide complimentary coffee, tea, and soft drinks to customers all day. The walk along the beach might be a little long for some, but there is a paved path off of the road as well if preferred which I took on my return, but if a taxi or cab is needed to get into the heart of Surfers Paradise it is around $10.00. I waled for an hour and a half an around the Cavill Mall at Surfers then on to Broadbeach before turning back through the art market on the pathway in Surfers and the rest of the way back to the hotel. Once back I took the Skybridge across to the famed Versace hotel and the marina on the other side with everything from a McDonalds to five-star water dining.

The next morning I woke up early and had a workout in the large gym complex run separately from the hotel but accessible by room key and immediately adjacent to the property with tennis courts, an outdoor lap-pool, a crossfit centre, and a good but somewhat dated weight room affected harshly by the sea air with some noticeable rust on the machines. I showered, had a wonderful breakfast at the hotel buffet, and then re-did the walk but just to Surfers before coming back and showering prior to checkout.

I am a little stuck with nostalgia regarding this hotel, and while it may not have the opulence of say the St. Regis Princeville or the Bali properties in Nusa Dua, this remains one of my absolute favorite Starwood hotels. The staff were excellent and the sunlight beaming off of the white building construction is breathtaking. One of my most highly recommended Starwood properties anywhere.