Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Gold Coast Hotels: Versace or Sheraton Mirage

I will be in Australia later this month (Sydney and Melbourne) for business and would like to spend three nights at a beach resort at the end of the trip. I'm looking at the Gold Coast area simply for ease of returning to Sydney for my international departure.

Any comments on the Palazzo Versace or Sheraton Mirage? I'm also considering Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island, but that may be too much travelling given our three night time constraint.

My companion and I are middle-aged, no children and looking for an up-scale, quiet resort with good beaches and good food for a few days of R&R.

Thanks!

It might also be worth considering the Sunshine Coast or Port Douglas for places to get away - both have a range of resorts available, with their own beach frontage (and both destinations are definitely quiter and more laid back than the Gold Coast). Noosa and Port Douglas both have a good range of places serving quality food as well, so tick those boxes as well. Finally, both are well connected flight-wise with Sydney too - Port Douglas with Cairns (and all carriers fly from there to Sydney), and Sunshine Coast either direct (on Jetstar or Virgin Blue) or just an hour's drive to Brisbane (and then on Qantas from there).

Palazzo Versace does not have a beach front. You have to cross the main road/highway (theres an overhead bridge) to Sheraton Mirage and walk through the property to get to the beach.

It has been quite a few years since I stayed at the Sheraton Mirage. Nice grounds with a very casual and relaxed atmosphere but the rooms were a bit dated. Would be quite a nice place to stay if/when they have refurbished the rooms.

I would choose the Sheraton. I find anthing to do with Versace is a bit over the top and the hotel looks a little garish. The Sheraton has a much more warm welcoming feeling than Versace which looks more like a museum/art gallery. And for the price they expect you to pay you would hope to get beach access, which you don't.

I'd personally avoid the Gold Coast at all costs! Sunshine coast is MUCH nicer - and not half as crowded. Though at the end of this month you are liable to get schoolies on both coasts (think American Spring break but with underage celebrating end of 12 years of school). I'd head for Fraser (less chance of rabid schoolies at the resort) or Port Douglas.

I'd personally avoid the Gold Coast at all costs! Sunshine coast is MUCH nicer - and not half as crowded. Though at the end of this month you are liable to get schoolies on both coasts (think American Spring break but with underage celebrating end of 12 years of school). I'd head for Fraser (less chance of rabid schoolies at the resort) or Port Douglas.

Oh I just saw the OP is going later this month...in that case I would definatley avoid the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, unless your idea of a getaway is thousands of drunken 17 year olds on their first trip away. I'd try Port Douglas in that case or an island on the GBR. You should be safe up there. But I would avoid the GC and SC it really is chaos up there, drunken fights and generally antisocial behaviour....wow look at me just turned 25 and I sound so old!

Thank you for the valuable information (and the laugh :))! I will definitely avoid the Gold Coast and go to Port Douglas instead.

Much appreciated.

Have a good trip and let us know where you ended up staying!

Oh I just saw the OP is going later this month...in that case I would definatley avoid the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, unless your idea of a getaway is thousands of drunken 17 year olds on their first trip away.

Schoolies Week (for those who have just completed their High School education) usually starts by being quite calm and the Police coming on TV saying 'this years crowd have been well behaved...'. Couple of days later, you hear all about the damage and random fights.

Go with Port Douglas or Cairns, both beautiful. Or if you want something really relaxing, try Lord Howe Island (direct flights from Sydney).

I would choose the Sheraton. I find anthing to do with Versace is a bit over the top and the hotel looks a little garish. The Sheraton has a much more warm welcoming feeling than Versace which looks more like a museum/art gallery. And for the price they expect you to pay you would hope to get beach access, which you don't.

Versace is garish, but it is unique, unlike the Sheraton.

I only popped my head in the Palazzo Versace, but it did have an immaculate artificial beach, breakfast was superb the spa out of this world and staff couldn't have been more accommodating showing me round and the rooms etc. An experience, IMHO, not to be missed!

but it did have an immaculate artificial beach

But why go to an artificial beach when there are so many real ones right there ;)