I’m not usually a 5-star resort kinda gal, but this past weekend my husband and I treated ourselves to a luxury stay at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort on the Gold Coast.
Before booking, I spent hours reading reviews of the Sheraton Gold Coast, trying to decide if it was actually worth the splurge. Once I saw pictures of the pool and swim-up bar, I was pretty much sold.
This is the guide I wish I had when researching my stay. And no, it’s not sponsored. I booked here and paid myself. No one knew I was a travel blogger, so what you’re reading is 100% my personal, unbiased experience.
Why I chose the Sheraton Gold Coast
The Sheraton ticked all the boxes for me:
- A swim-up bar
- A massive lagoon-style pool with ample sun lounges
- Direct access to a quiet stretch of beach
The only real negative I kept seeing in these reviews was that the hotel felt a little outdated. And yes, it is an older resort. But it didn’t feel run-down or tired at all.
If you’re after that super-modern, ultra-luxury vibe, you might prefer The Langham (though the outdoor area there is nowhere near as big and spacious as the Sheraton).
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Review
Location
The Sheraton Mirage is on Main Beach, on the northern end of the Gold Coast.
It’s right next to Surfers Paradise, but without the chaos, schoolies crowds, or noisy nightlife. In fact, it felt pretty quiet.
This can be a pro or a con, depending on what you’re after.
I found that the main benefit of the location is that the resort has so much space. It doesn’t feel cramped like those oceanfront resorts in Surfers or Broadbeach.
The gardens are huge with wide pathways, and the rooms are spacious. And the direct beach access is a huge win for me.
The con of the location? It’s not a “quick” stroll to cafes and shops. Tedder Avenue (the Main Beach dining strip) is about a 20-minute walk. You could also drive 10-15 minutes to Surfers or Broadbeach.
For transport: Gold Coast Airport is a 45-minute drive, and Brisbane Airport is roughly an hour away.
Rooms
I booked the Ground Floor Garden View Room, and it was the perfect size for Gary, myself, and our toddler. I was actually surprised by how spacious it was.
The room had a separate lounge area, plus sliding doors opening up to a little garden spot.
The bathroom was huge too, with a spa bath big enough to fit all three of us.
Pool Area
The outdoor pool area is the reason I chose the Sheraton over other accommodations on the Gold Coast – and it did not disappoint.
There are two pool areas: one large lagoon pool with a swim-up bar and a separate kids’ pool with shallow water for little ones. Both are heated, and we spent hours in the pool during our stay.
Something I appreciated (and wasn’t expecting): it was actually easy to find sun loungers. And this was on a busy weekend in December! Many reviews from other resorts complain about people “reserving” chairs all day, but the Sheraton has plenty of spaced-out seating, so it never felt competitive.
Breakfast buffet
The breakfast buffet was another selling point.
They had everything from pastries and tarts to hot food (eggs benedict, bacon, mushrooms, hashbrowns, sausages). There were waffles and pancakes, yogurts and fruit. Vegan and gluten-free options. And even a DIY juice station – I loved my carrot, ginger, and apple combo.
They do offer an à la carte menu for an additional cost, but honestly, the buffet spread was more than enough.
My only complaint? The coffee.
It’s machine coffee – not terrible, but definitely not café-quality. If you want a proper espresso, you’ll have to pay extra.
Read more Sheraton reviews here.
The Beach
Having the beach right there was another huge perk.
The section of Main Beach in front of the Sheraton is quiet and mostly used by resort guests, so it never felt crowded. There are lifeguards on duty too, which is great for families.
It was pretty windy during our visit, so we didn’t spend as much time on the sand as expected — but the pool area was completely sheltered.
Family-friendly
The resort is extremely family-friendly, and we met lots of families during our stay. We were travelling with our 19-month-old toddler, and he absolutely loved it.
Despite how popular the Sheraton Grand Mirage is with families, it never once felt overrun with kids or babies. And that really comes down to the size of the resort. The pools, gardens, and dining areas are so spacious that everything feels spread out, even during busy times.
So if you’re travelling as a couple or with a group of friends, don’t let the family-friendly reputation put you off. We came across plenty of honeymooners, solo travellers, and groups of friends enjoying the resort just as much as we did.
Service
All the staff were amazing and so friendly, from the concierge to the front desk staff, waiters, and housekeeping. Every interaction was a positive one.
Check availability for the Sheraton Gold Coast here.
Cons of the Sheraton
Gary and I rarely treat ourselves to luxurious 5* hotels, so when I was doing my research, I took note of every review and comment. Below are a few things that made me consider other resorts in the Gold Coast.
Maintenance on Lagoon-View Rooms | A lot of the negative reviews I read here were from guests in Lagoon View rooms. The big selling point of these rooms is that they look over the lagoon pools, and hence, you pay a premium for them. Maintenance work can often mean these pools need to be drained and cleaned, and a few guests have been unlucky enough to have this done during their stay.
Older hotel | The resort isn’t brand new, and if you’re used to super-modern 5-star hotels, you might notice the older design. That said, nothing felt broken or neglected during my stay. If you’re after opulence and a fancier resort, check out The Langham in Broadbeach instead.
Is the Sheraton Gold Coast worth it?
For me? Absolutely, yes.
If you’re after a spacious, relaxed resort with an amazing pool, direct beach access, and a quieter location away from the chaos of Surfers, the Sheraton Grand Mirage Gold Coast is one of the best luxury hotels on the Gold Coast.
It’s not ultra-modern and not trying to be. But it’s comfortable, clean, family-friendly, and perfect for a chilled-out escape. Find out more here.
If you’re heading to the Gold Coast, check out my other posts:
- 10 Best Gold Coast Wineries
- Pros And Cons Of Living On The Gold Coast
- Best Weekend Getaways From Gold Coast
- Where To Stay In Brisbane For First-Timers
- Where To Stay In Stanthorpe
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