Being a regular customer at another Indian restaurant my boyfriend and I decided to try somewhere new. Having heard great things about Anand Sagar we were enthusiastic about having dinner there. Upon arrival there were only three other tables occupied; we took a two seated table in the back near the TV. The atmosphere was authentic and beautiful, they had Indian music playing on the TV and decorations lining the restaurant. The only waitress working that night came over and half-heartedly asked if we wanted anything, we ordered our meals (which were pricier to the usual places we dine), and drank some complimentary water. When the meals came out we were extremely disappointed, the serving sizes were quite small and the quality average. Being Summer the room quickly became hot with our steaming meals and I noticed that the ceiling fans had only been turned on near the counter and kitchen, the ones above us and fellow diners were all off. I tried numerous times to get the waitresses attention but she remained oblivious and daydreaming at the front counter. Needless to say we were quick to finish our meals and leave, even joking about how we would tell our regular waitress at our old restaurant about the horrid dining experience.

Approximate cost: $17

I first heard about Adore Beauty through my friend. Being in a residential area it is a bit daunting trying to find the address at first, but nestled in the heart of Varsity Lakes Adore Beauty is worth the find. Upon entering the Parlor you are presented with a beautiful pink and black decor with a beautiful lounge to wait on and plasma tv mounted above the counter to watch whilst having your nails done. Nicole (the founder/owner, and leading nail technician) has amazing creativity and an eye for detail. Just looking at the website you can see the typical nails requested, however you can ask to have anything done. I myself went in with a picture of pacman nails I wanted and she did them perfectly. Prices vary on the set of nails, but are very reasonable. Previous salons I have been to range from $50-$70, whereas Adore Beauty ranges from $35-$50. The only concern I could offer about Adore Beauty is her pesky little Frenchie Bulldog. He runs around the Parlor chewing anything he can get his paws on. I leave my bag on the counter now after seeing makeup and credit cards of other customers being dragged out and chewed from their bags. Overall Adore Beauty Parlour is a friendly business with a great reputation and a bright future. If you are sick and tired of the big and impersonal nail salons I highly recommend giving Adore Beauty a try.

Approximate cost: $40

Since turning 18 Vanity Nightclub is definitely one of my favourite places to spend the weekend with my friends. With great prices and clean facilities I can't imagine going anywhere else. Most nightclubs have sticky floors and sweat soaked bathrooms, but Vanity has staff constantly patrolling the facilities to pick up spilt drinks. And for girls you will LOVE the bathroom! With mirrors almost everywhere and a white/gold interior it is a great place for a quick photo or a makeup touch-up. It has lounges and a full time care-taker who will happily mind your drink or give advice. Boys will love the atmosphere (as well as $1 beers on Thursday nights). Overall a fun and vibrant place to spend a Saturday night.

At first I was extremely hopeful about Stefan's Salon in Robina. I had been to many hairdressers before using them and upon arriving at the clean and stylish salon I was quite excited. I had a friend's birthday that night and decided to have my hair done a few hours before hand. I sat in the salon for 40 minutes before being attended to (even though there were hardly any clients). They finally put the foils in my hair and left me for another two hours. I kept asking if they were finished and was completely ignored. Then when it came to cutting my hair I explained that it is naturally curly and I didn't want it too short. The hairdresser nodded and then proceeded to cut one side shorter than the other prompting her to say "oops"... Something you never want to hear from a "professional". When I complained upon payment they still charged me full price (a ridiculous amount for a terrible haircut). I went back twice after that incident but there was no improvement and the service was still horrendous and rude so I have since changed hairdressers.

Approximate cost: $100-$200

Being a natural blonde I am very fussy about having my hair done; I have had terrible haircuts and my hair takes quite some time to grow back so I tend to be stuck with them. Hair Affair offered great advice along with their great service and I have had some of my best hair cuts and styles done at their salon. The moment you walk through the door you are greeted with a smile and a coffee. They offer a variety of services with makeup and waxing also available. For people with a more adventurous side, they keep in touch with trends as well as their own stylist's innovation. I have found their prices to be better than other salons that I have used, and being a small business they take their time with each client and care about the outcome.

With great prices and a huge range of products, Cosmetics Plus is my first choice for my makeup needs- it was also the business I chose to use when having my nose pierced due to its friendly and safe service. But with these great prices one has to keep in mind that quality of products are quite average. Whenever I go in the staff are always accommodating with my tedious shopping (comparing all the products).

The Sushi Train located in Varsity Lakes offers fresh food at reasonable prices. It has become a personal favourite between my friends and me, whether we are catching up over a plate of gyoza or sharing a Udon bowl with a date the atmosphere is perfect for any social situation. After having lunch at the Sushi Train in Coolangatta I have found myself only using the varsity establishment as the sushi they prepare are in more decent proportions with better taste. The service has improved a lot, with more experienced staff working the counter (I had an encounter with an employee that barely spoke English that annoyed me quite a bit). Overall the Varsity Lakes Sushi Train is a fun and fresh establishment with great service and reasonable prices.,

Approximate cost: $5

The Indian Cafe & Restaurant is a wonderful and authentic restaurant located on the Gold Coast. With delicious food at great prices and exquisite service it has become a local favourite. I personally recommend the Beef Madras as it is not too spicy, but if you're looking for something with a bit of zest then the Chicken Masala is a great choice. With generous portions and great taste it makes sharing a meal with friends a breeze. Whether I'm with my family, friends, or boyfriend if I get to pick the restaurant this is the one that I choose!

Approximate cost: $15