The Star Grand hotel review where everything that was old is very grand again at Broadbeach on the Queensland Gold Coast.
Eat drink and be Kerry answers your questions in this review of the newly renovated The Star Grand, formerly Jupiters Casino.
The Star Grand hotel review
Almost every part of the 30-year-old property received a rework for this renovation which has put the sparkle back into this Gold Coast icon.
Pull up at the front for your weekend getaway or staycation, and the concierge will take your bags and get them to your room almost before you have even finished checking in. He also has directions to the parking area and how to get to reception. We divided the tasks and conquered both with ease which meant in a very short time we were kicking back and enjoying the view with a macaron in hand.
My room at The Star Grand
I stayed in room 1732 which overlooked Broadbeach Island and the Gold Coast Hinterland. On the other side of the hotel, there are views towards the ocean. Even on the 17th floor, I could hear happy parrots squawking outside at sunset.
The bed was very comfortable with a plush feel courtesy of The Cloud mattress topper and soft pillows in two sizes. K2 would prefer them a little firmer, but I was happy. The full-length mirror hides the wardrobe which has two very plush bathrobes with silver piping. At the entry level, there is a shop where you can buy the pillows, doonas, mattress toppers and bathrobes.
Chocolates and a rich and aromatic L’Occitane hand cream at turn down was a nice luxury touch as were the imported teas and house-made biscuits. There is a Nespresso machine for an early morning heart starter. It does have that weekend getaway feel.
Like many hotels, unfortunately, there is only one dedicated spot for a suitcase, so if you have two, there will be a fight.
What I like
What I do like is that this room is highly connected. Internet access is free and effective, plus it is easy to connect and log on again. You can stream from your phone to the television by downloading an app, but the television also has pay for view movies. Powerpoints and USB slots beside the bed make keeping everything charged simple.
The room comes with a desk with a stool as a dedicated workspace if you need it and there is a table with two comfortable chairs so you can watch the sunset.
How easy is it to turn off the lights? This room passed with a high five thanks to a master switch beside the bed. However, don’t dismiss the bedside light as a silver fixture as I did or your nighttime reading will be difficult.
I found the room quiet with no sound transfer between rooms but a little drifts in from the hallway.
Getting clean
The bathroom is compact but well designed. It has a toilet, double-sized basin, and a spacious shower with a screen, so water does not escape. Shower controls are near the entry so you can turn on your shower without getting wet.
There are a shower cap and tissues but couldn’t find any other little extras apart from the L’Occitane products.
Nice touches include a wall mounted makeup mirror and a high-powered hair dryer. I hate those hotel hair dryers that are stuck to the wall.
Unexpected but pleasant is the ambient under bench lighting that pops on when you enter the room. This is great during the night when you don’t want to turn on the big lights or can’t find the switch.
We would have liked more places to hang towels, but wall space is at a premium in a compact area.
Inside your minibar at The Star Grand
You will find fresh milk in the mini bar and a selection of soft drinks. There’s enough snack variety to keep the midnight munchies at bay and a standard range of spirits but strangely only Kirin beer.
What about the view?
My room had no balcony but did offer a fabulous view to the Gold Coast hinterland in the south-west. You just need to look over the vastness of Pacific Fair. However, this does show how close this shopping megalith is to the hotel. It is an easy walk, depending on how many shopping bags you are carrying.
Take a step outside the room
Downstairs is a large, temperature-controlled swimming pool but if you want to swim at the beach, it is about a 15-minute walk away (extra time is included for traffic crossings).
Broadbeach is a patrolled beach so you can swim safely and there is a wide park alongside the beach which is a nice place to relax.
Dining choices
There are 11 food and drink outlets inside the hotel, so there are plenty of choices.
For breakfast head to Garden Kitchen & Bar. When it comes to dinner, Cucina Vivo serves up authentic Italian favourites or sample mouth-watering Japanese food at Kiyomi. It’s like dining in Tokyo without the flight.
Never been to Las Vegas? Walk through the casino, and you will get a good feel for it.
There is some seriously good dining at Broadbeach just on the other side of the highway. Take the short route through the casino to The Darling and across the road. Broadbeach dining options Moo Moo and Social Eating House. For an inexpensive bite try The Lamb Shop.
Sigh with happiness factor
High
There’s a comfort factor here with plush chairs, a comfortable bed, good sound insulation, intelligent automation and it is all geared up for current technology. You will feel at home but also in the lap of luxury.
The Star Grand is a perfect weekend getaway or staycation if you like to play in the casino or you are attending a show or event at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
A room here will cost you from $226 per night. (Nov 19, 2018)
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Disclaimer
Ed+bK was a guest of The Star.
