3rd August 2017. The Marriott- Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland

We completed our checkout at the Sebel following 2 great days in Coolangatta.  The weather has returned to its beautiful best.  We spend some time in the Twin Towns Club having coffee and cake then relax before driving to Surfers Paradise, but we are delayed as to checkin until near 4.00pm. 

We decide to have lunch in Coolangatta nsitting beside the beach, overlooking the vista from Rainbow Bay back toward Kirra Beach and then the Gold Coast skyline of Surfers Paradise is in the distance.

Early afternoon, about 2.00pm we begin the drive up the highway toward Surfers Paradise using the Tom Tom GPS.  We arrive at the Marriott in Surfers Paradise at 3.15pm and are checked in through reception by 3.25pm and our luggage is brought to our room and the car is valet parked.

We are in a one bedroom time share on 16th floor with superb views over the Ocean, but away from the many high rise buildings of the true Surfers Paradise precinct.  The rooms have recently been re fitted out and are very well equipped. 

Dinner tonight is internal at the specialty seafood buffet restaurant named Citerique.  We initially decide to have one course ala carte but subsequently decide to have the full buffet and it is a good choice.  The food is beautifully prepared, is of a wide variety.  Ken has a seafood plate as a starter prior to a dozen oyster kilpatrick.  The oysters are delicious and to his liking.  We each enjoy a main course of  meat (lamb and pork) together with a topping of "bugs" all superbly cooked and presented. 

We concluded dinner with a mixed dessert.  Decide to have coffee later in our suite.

It has been a delightful dinner and the highlight of our several days holiday to date.  Tomorrow morning we have the "mandatory " timeshare presentation from Marriott at 8.30am following breakfast in our suite.

We both sleep extremely well awaking at 7.00pm.  We then enjoy breakfast of Weetbix and yoghurt topped with banana.  The sun is glistening upon the ocean and the beach lloks superb. 

Our timeshare presentation commences on time and we enjoy the whole presentation but also find that most of their scheme is very similar to Hilton Grand Vacation Club, although they probably do Europe better in terms of availability of resorts.  It helps that we have stayed in some 12-15 different Marriott resorts in the USA. 

Following the tour and presentation we decline to purchase.  We finally believe that with Hilton GVC and Spinnaker that we have the right mix for our needs.  We also hear that Hilton timeshare is coming to Australia.   

The morning has passed oh so quickly, but we are keen to catch the light rail or bus from here in Broadbeach into the heart of Surfers Paradise and visit the Pacific Fair shopping centre which has been totally refurbished over the last 2-3 years.  We spend a couple of hours walking around and are amazed at the changed situation with many upmarket shops and significantly larger footprint. 

We stop for lunch and enjoy a Subway 12 inch roll to share. 

Then the challenge of finding the bus #705 and return to the resort.  All goes well we return to the Marriott at 2.45pm.  Ken has an afternoon nap until 4.30pm, then a walk .  Dinner tonight is in the acclaimed Japanese restaurant here at the Marriott and we will enjoy Teppanyaki.  Upon returning to the room following our lunch we receive a gift of chocolates and a bottle of wine. 

We have enjoyed our two days here very much, totally different to the Sebel at Coolangatta and with all the glitz of a world class 5 star hotel group in a perfect location. 

This afternoon the weather has clouded over a little but the wind has diminished further and the beaches look sensational. 

From our balcony we can see preparations down below in the lagoon where there is a private flight nation of USA / Australia with increased security. There are coloured lights and set up for food , drink and entertainment.  We will watch with interest from the comfort of our suite. 

the most beautiful sunset! 

the lagoon here at the Marriott has its own private  beach, tropical fish in the lagoon ad full facilities.

The afternoon passes quickly and whilst we had initially intended to eat out we change our mind and book the internal Japanese restaurant named Misono, where we enjoy an excellent meal of Teppanyaki with a cheery Japanese chef, who prepares our food at the hot plate in front of us.  

The food is exceptional and the format of entertainment with the preparation makes the night even more enjoyable.  The presentation and ambience is first class.  We are seated at a table around the hot plate with a family of 5 celebrating twins' birthdays.

Just a great evening.  We have thoroughly our stay here at Marriott.