Review: The Star Grand Gold Coast, now shining brighter than ever

Introduction

Back in the 1980s, The Star Gold Coast was the place to be for well-heeled locals and visitors to Broadbeach – a destination to see and be seen, not simply dance with Lady Luck. The same remains true today, and then some.

Following major renovations in recent times, the reinvigorated icon now combines the opulence of a world-class hotel with the thrill of captivating live shows, award-winning dining and a 24-hour casino, plus a few welcome surprises too.

Location & Impressions

Tucked away on its own little Broadbeach island, across the road from Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Pacific Fair and Oasis Shopping Centre, the Star Grand (formerly Jupiters Hotel & Casino) caters equally to business and leisure travellers.

The property is a 30-minute drive from Coolangatta Airport and just over an hour from Brisbane International Airport. 

The Star Grand has punctuated the Broadbeach skyline since the 1980s.

Those arriving in their own vehicle can make use of the hotel’s undercover car park, which is shared among two other towers - home to The Darling Hotel and Dorsett Gold Coast.

Exploring further afield is easy too. Though the once-popular monorail loop over the Gold Coast Highway to the beach may be gone, there’s a convenient light rail station nearby which runs north to Surfers Paradise and beyond. There’s no shortage of taxis either. 

Guests are welcomed to a bright and expansive lobby.

Upon entering you’re greeted by a glamorous lobby with a fresh colour palette of bright white, enhanced by natural light entering from a glass atrium roof and backdropped by zebra-like carpets and giant silver chandeliers.

Room

The Grand offers a variety of accommodation options, ranging from Superior Deluxe to an Ocean Terrace Suite. Our keys opened the doors to one of its Executive Deluxe rooms.

Interiors were sleek yet sophisticated in a light neutral palette, but our eyes were instantly drawn to the large windows at the back. Equipped with automated curtains, they parted to reveal a postcard view of the Gold Coast Hinterland extending far to the horizon.

Executive Deluxe rooms overlook the beach or the Gold Coast hinterland.

Guests can choose between a king-sized bed or two doubles, each adorned with premium Egyptian cotton bedding and down comforters.

Looking around the room, there is also a spacious wardrobe – tucked away behind a mirrored sliding door – offering ample hanging space for a short trip, an iron and ironing board, a pair of slippers and a safe. 

All the amenities you need for a comfortable stay are easily found.

There’s also a well-stocked minibar, along with an espresso machine and a selection of teas.

A marble-clad bathroom features a wide vanity with plenty of space for personal toiletries. Provided for guests are monogrammed towels, bathrobes and a small makeup mirror on the right side of the sink.

A shower with dual rain shower head paired with an indulgent selection of Appelles amenities completes the space, although the water pressure was a little on the timid side.

The marble bathroom featured plenty of space for your personal effects.

High-speed WiFi is included in all guest rooms and public spaces - great for everything from basic browsing to data-intensive tasks like HD and 4K video streaming - as well as a 65-inch LCD TV, which comes with premium satellite channels and on-demand movies. 

When you need a snack to go with your movies or work, there is an all day in-room dining menu, which in our experience was surprisingly quick, tasty and excellent value.

Work

Work-wise you’ll find an in-room desk nestled below the TV, which delivers an adequate space with accessible power outlets and a padded seat.

While the desk was spacious enough to comfortably fit a laptop, the lack of additional lighting and a backrest makes it more suited for a quick email check but a tough sell for longer working hours.

For a longer working session, it might be better for your back to set up at the dining table.

As an alternative, there is a round dining table with two comfortable chairs that can be used as a quiet spot to send some emails and catch up on the nine-to-five.

Conveniently placed by the window, it was large enough to fit two people working on their laptops.

The Executive Lounge features plenty of seating and an excellent assortment of snacks and drinks.

Our Executive Deluxe Room included access to the Executive Lounge – open from 10am to 7:30pm – together with additional benefits such as light pressing service for two garments and complimentary valet parking for one vehicle.

If you're looking for a quiet spot to read, the lounge also serves that purpose well.

There’s no breakfast in the Executive Lounge. Instead, you’re directed to the main Harvest Buffet restaurant.

Afternoon tea presents a wide selection of tasty morsels.

We found the Executive Lounge to be quiet after breakfast. And while it can be a great place to work, it’s also a nice spot to relax with plenty of comfortable seats coupled with snacks and drinks.

An afternoon selection of canapes is a great way to round out the day.

In the later part of the day, the savouries give way to a selection of cakes and sweets to tempt your sweet tooth for afternoon tea, coupled with white, red and sparkling wine choices during cocktail hour in the evening. 

Eat

The hotel’s nine dining outlets ensure there’s something for every taste, with options ranging from casual quick-bite eateries to award-winning fine-dining venues such as Nineteen At The Star and the renowned Japanese restaurant Kiyomi - boasting one and two hats respectively.

Nineteen at The Star blends the freshest seasonal produce with a side of glittering skyline views. Upscale dining at Kiyomi features a five-course tasting menu of delicious Japanese flavours and freshly shaken cocktails.

Whether your taste for the evening is a steak grilled to your liking, traditional Italian fare or indulgent Cantonese favourites, there’s something sure to tickle your fancy.

With a restaurant and bar scene buzzing with holiday-makers and Gold Coast locals, reservations for both Kiyomi and Nineteen at the Star are absolutely essential for your chosen night of the week.

We liked that there were plenty of casual dining options within the complex such as dumplings, a burger or even just a pizza to share. 

With seven different bars scattered throughout the resort, options are equally plentiful when it comes to grabbing a drink - frosty beers, signature cocktails, designer drinks - you name it, they’ve got it.

Relax

If it’s a truly relaxing break you crave, the Azure Spa is your sanctuary. It offers a multitude of treatments designed to iron out sore muscles, rejuvenate the skin and leave you feeling new.

The Star's fitness centre will get the heart racing.

Alternatively, the spa also offers a large and well-equipped fitness centre decked out with the latest Technogym equipment and weights, for those who prefer to work up a sweat,.

Outside are an heated pool and several whirlpool tubs open from 6am to 9pm all year round.

Take your pick from poolside loungers through to fully catered cabanas.

The recently opened Isoletto Pool Club is worthy of attention too.

Isoletto Pool Club overlooks the Gold Coast skyline.

Exclusive to hotels within The Star complex, including The Darling and Dorsett Gold Coast, it features an impressive infinity pool with views of the Gold Coast skyline with comfortable cabanas and elegant ‘wet lounges’ built into the pool itself - ideal to catch up a couple of hours of sun, cocktail in hand.

The Verdict

The Star Grand Gold Coast has established itself as one of the leading destinations in the Gold Coast, offering a stylish hotel with plenty of bells and whistles, plus loads of entertainment options. Being such a large complex, service was not overly personalised, but it was fast and friendly. 

Business travellers won’t be disappointed either, when considering the combination of service, amenities, conveniences and proximity to the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre across the road. 

For the best experience, we’d recommend booking one of the Executive Rooms to make full use of all the additional privileges.

The writer stayed as a guest of The Star Gold Coast.