IF you don't go to Elandra Mission Beach for the stunning view, the beautifully comfortable and private rooms or the impeccable service, go for the food.

But first let me set the scene. You drive to Mission Beach and head to the mainly residential area of South Mission Beach. Eventually you turn off and head up a steep, narrow driveway, wondering if you’re going in the right direction. Then you pull up at the curved entrance and you catch a glimpse of "that" pool – the one that seems to be in most of the promotional shots.

A friendly check-in followed by a porter taking our bags to our room – leaving us to grab our first cocktail by “that” pool. We wander down through the rainforest-like gardens to find our room, step inside and wow. We look straight out the front door to the glorious ocean view. But first we check out our room – king-size bed, luxuriously appointed bathroom, thoughtful mini-bar.

Funky furniture abounds, including leather-upholstered chairs and outdoor bean bags for chilling on the balcony. Then it’s time to further examine the view – we look to the left and spot the extensive white sands of South Mission Beach, straight ahead we see Dunk Island and to the right, more unknown, vegetation-covered islands. But first, it’s back to the pool for another cocktail, before deciding to stop being sloths and go for a walk down to the beach. We keep an eagle eye out for the resident cassowary, but we didn’t spy him. Instead, we are blessed with plenty of fluttering butterflies, twittering birds and unspoilt nature.

Back up to our room and we “happen” to fall asleep before our dinner reservation – we figure we’d better rest up before our feast. The time arrives at last and we decide to lash out, opting for the Japanese tuna tartare to share. Then it’s on to mains – I opt for the Carpentaria Gulf bugs, while my partner salivates over the black angus eye fillet in its delicious sauce and the optional mash is divinely creamy. We go all out and share a deconstructed banana crumble with coconut sorbet and this is probably the piece de resistance of the meal.

Back to our room, and eventually we fall asleep to the sound of the ocean and wake to that view and spot parachutists silently sailing their way down from their drop to the beach. The continental breakfast is huge enough, with its choice of cereals, bowl of fruit with yoghurt, pastry selections, coffee and juice. But then you also can opt for an addition – we chose the eggs Florentine and the delicious lime in the sauce was a lovely, sharp counter to the traditional eggs.

We drove slowly down the driveway to return home, happy for our lovely stay there but sad to have to leave.

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