Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort review, Gold Coast: Hawaii-meets-Miami chic

THE LOCATION

When the Commonwealth Games comes to Australia next month (April 4-15), the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast will be the official hotel, hosting dignitaries from 70 Commonwealth nations. There are newer, shinier hotels on the "GC", but none with the old-school glamour of the Sheraton Grand Mirage, built in 1987 by the infamous Christopher Skase and still the Gold Coast's only five-star beachfront resort. It's fully booked during the Games of course, but its restaurant and bars will be open to the public.

Don't let its Gold Coast address fool you. This 295-room resort is at the northern end of the coast, 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.

THE SPACE

Step out of your taxi, or hand you car keys to the valet, and prepare to be wowed by a gleaming marble lobby with ocean views. There's even a cantilevered "observation deck" where you can stand above a man-made waterfall, gazing through a three-storey glass wall at the Pacific Ocean. The six-hectare complex consists of an all-white modernist central building, two accommodation wings curving around a saltwater swimming pool, extensive Curacao-blue lagoons (40 per cent of the resort's footprint is water) and lush tropical gardens. There are also 54 privately owned two and three-bedroom "villas" (actually apartments; 17 are available to guests). It's all refreshingly low-rise – by law, no part of the resort can be higher than the coconut palms. There's an in-house gym, but guests can also use the Golden Door Spa & Health Club next door. Best of all, there's direct, no-fuss access to the beach.

THE ROOM

After the thrill of those lobby views, the walk to my room is a bit of a let-down, the corridor on the way showing its age (regular renovations have kept the rest of the resort looking fabulous). Opening the door to my spacious Ocean Premium King room, however, we're back on track. The Sheraton Signature bed, a California King with a satiny white duvet, is the star, and magnificently comfortable. I draw open the sheer white curtains (there are blackout curtains too against those too-early Queensland sunrises) and slide open the wide window and there's the sea, and a lifeguard tower, close enough to touch – even at night, thanks to beachside floodlights. One of the resort's most innovative features is the absence of balconies; instead rooms have "lanai", indoor-outdoor Hawaiian-style verandahs – to bring the outside in and maximise floor space. Perhaps to keep those views centre stage, the decor is rather plain with neutral furnishings and only one artwork. There's a flatscreen TV, aircon and a generous minibar (with kettle, espresso machine and coffee plunger), and checkout is at a civilised 12 noon.