Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition — October 2017

The Star Gold Coast

BACKGROUND Originally opened as the Jupiters

Hotel and Casino in 1986, this expansive property was

rebranded earlier this year by the Star Entertainment

Group as The Star Gold Coast, after investment of

A$850 million (US$671 million). All its rooms have been

completely renovated, and the rest of the facilities, from

F&B outlets to event venues, will be finished before the

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games next April.

WHERE IS IT? Located in the Gold Coast’s

Broadbeach suburb, the hotel is connected by covered

walkway to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition

Centre, and is close to the Pacific Fair shopping centre

housing more than 300 retail stores. It’s a 30-minute

drive from Gold Coast International Airport, and an

hour from Brisbane International Airport.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Slightly inland but with easy

access to the beach, the property is surrounded by tall

trees and stands on an “island” surrounded by canals.

The hotel’s main entrance on level C is shared with

that of the casino, though advertising for the gaming is

thankfully subtle. Despite arriving three hours ahead

of the normal check-in time, the concierge helped to

check that my room was ready, and I took the escalator

to the level L lobby where check-in was smooth.

ROOM FACILITIES The 596 guestrooms are split

between three room types and four suite types. I was

in a Superior Deluxe room, which features dark wood

and deep-blue furnishings and has nice modern design

touches like the TV turning on automatically when

you open the door. The work desk is directly under the

wall-mounted TV, and though there aren’t international

sockets, you can borrow adaptors from the hotel or use

the USB points to charge devices.

My room faced Broadbeach Waters, offering a

peaceful vista of canals and waterside residences – as

well as gorgeous sunsets. In fact it was probably better

than some rooms facing the ocean, whose views might

be blocked by the tall Pepper Broadbeach and Meriton

Suites buildings in front of it. With a large king-size bed

and a bright bathroom equipped with luxury L’Occitane

products, this was a quality all-round offering.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS There are ten: Food

Fantasy, a buffet restaurant popular with locals (and

the location for breakfast); Zen Chinese restaurant;

M&G Café and Bar featuring a classic café-style menu;

Mei Wei Dumplings, which serves dumplings, noodles

and dim sum; Garden Kitchen and Bar – which uses a

selection of garnishes and herbs from an on-site herb

garden; Cucina Vivo for Italian cuisine; and the award-

winning Kiyomi Japanese restaurant. Three large bars

include the refurbished Atrium Bar, J Bar and Sports Bar.

I tried Kiyomi, located on the lobby level, and was

very impressed by both the service and quality of

dishes, from koji karrage chicken to a generous

tempura selection of scallops, king brown mushrooms

and kakiage, and mains like wagyu tenderloin with

wasabi butter. The signature dessert Goma Street,

served with tempered dark chocolate, caramelised

white chocolate mousse and black sesame ice cream,

was another standout.

MEETING FACILITIES There’s a wide range of event

space, including a multipurpose theatre holding up

to 2,150 people; the 1,628 sqm Pavilion Convention

Centre; the Pavilion Marquee, which can accommodate

up to 52 exhibition booths and 600 guests for gala

dinners; plus a newly revamped 750 sqm lawn,

available for teambuilding activities, pop-up food

stations or outdoor movies for up to 1,000 guests.

LEISURE FACILITIES Casino aside, there’s a gym

and an outdoor pool where you can unwind in a

cabana and bungalow for A$55 (US$43) per half-day.

VERDICT A fresh new look

for its rooms, a range of

outstanding F&B offerings

and great flexibility for event

venues have given this

property a real boost. One

of the top hotels in the city

for both MICE and leisure.

Valerian Ho

PRICE Internet rates

for a midweek stay in a

Superior Deluxe room in

mid-November start from

A$270 (US$213) including

tax and surcharges

CONTACT Broadbeach

Island, Broadbeach 4218,

Queensland, Australia;

star.com.au/goldcoast

businesstraveller.com

My room offered

a peaceful

vista of canals

and waterside

residences – as

well as gorgeous

sunsets

24 I Tried & Tested Hotel

OCTOBER 2017