Review: The Star Residences Gold Coast, a new high in apartment hotels
Dazzling views, lustrous dining, and exclusive access to a private pool deck are just the beginning.
By Chris Ashton, October 4 2022
Country
Australia
City
Gold Coast
Hotel
The Star Residences
Notes
The Good
- Breathtaking views of the city
- Fully-equipped kitchen, plus access to room service
The Bad
- Parking a long way from the entrance
X-Factor
- Exclusive level 20 roof terrace, pool and gym
Introduction
Flooded with morning light and boasting an unbroken vista over Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise, the brand new apartments at The Star Residences are well-positioned to showcase the beauty of the Gold Coast.
Perched amid the upper levels of The Star Gold Coast’s latest tower, one shared by fellow hotel The Dorsett, The Residences is the complex’s freshly-opened apartment hotel offering.
While not a new concept for the Gold Coast, it is a first at The Star.
Access to an exclusive leisure deck is a big perk for guests at The Star Residences.
Travellers can check-in to a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments for short and long term stays, enjoying self-catering convenience and access to the wider amenities of The Star complex, with a few exclusive perks too.
Location & Impressions
Nestled in Broadbeach, on its own private island amid the labyrinth of canals and inlets that make up the Gold Coast waterways, The Star Gold Coast has long-held a stellar reputation. The eclectic bars, multicultural restaurants and show-stopping entertainment, not to mention the casino, have made it one of Southeast Queensland’s premier destinations.
The Star Gold Coast now boasts four distinct accommodation options.
What began as one hotel has now grown to four dotted around the complex, with a fifth on the way via yet another tower currently under construction.
Accessed via a discreet (and rather easy-to-miss) entrance alongside The Dorsett’s lobby, check-in at The Star Residences is a quick and easy affair.
Guests are provided with two electronic keys: one for your room and another for the lift. The latter also grants access to The Residences’ level 20 pool, gym and private terrace. More on that later.
The reception is easy to miss, located alongside The Dorsett's larger lobby.
Those arriving by car can roll into a space in a shared carpark before making their way through The Star Grand, past Uncle Su’s Chinese restaurant, outside and finally down the escalator to the dedicated reception. It’s not the most direct route. Unfortunately there’s no quicker access.
Valet parking is available for guests checking in at The Star Grand and The Star Residences, priced at $65 per day and subject to availability.
If you want to drop your bags at the front door before parking yourself, there is driveway access from the Gold Coast Highway, underneath The Dorsett and around to reception.
Once done, you’ll need to drive back to the highway and double around the block to reach the car park.
Night-time views from the Two Bedroom Apartment.
That said, once parked, you don’t really need to access the car again until check out. The G:link light rail has two stations nearby, while Pacific Fair Shopping Centre is just across the road and the bounty of Broadbeach is also close at hand.
Room
A feeling of calm washes over as you step inside; coastal decor and blonde timber flooring and cabinetry of its living areas give it a somewhat Scandinavian feel. Abstract artworks and soft furnishings add a few welcome splashes of colour.
A Nespresso coffee machine is an appreciated addition to the full kitchen.
A three-seater lounge laden with pillows, small coffee table topped with decorative bowls, and a four-person dining table make up the living room, with a balcony and the aforementioned Gold Coast view beyond.
Two balcony chairs are well-placed for you to appreciate it – highly recommended at sunrise.
The apartment is flooded with early morning light.
Back inside, you’ll find a television with over 90 Foxtel channels, plus access via Chromecast to your own compatible streaming platforms. A Bluetooth soundbar speaker is on hand to set the mood.
Angled to showcase the view, the kitchen is fully stocked with a stove, oven and dishwasher, large fridge, and more storage than you’ll need.
There’s also a good mix of high and low cupboards, though the choice of hinge and lack of a handle makes them a little difficult to open.
All the pots and pans you'll need to whip up a feast are neatly hidden away.
Bedrooms are more aesthetically restrained than the living area, with cream carpets and mirrored wardrobes, together with open bedside tables with an alarm clock.
On first encounter, it’s difficult to know which is the ‘master bedroom’, as they both have different features, like a balcony-view study nook with a desk in one and an impressive wall of glass in the other.
Both bedrooms come with a queen-size bed and ample hanging space.
Both rooms share a single, spacious bathroom. Inside you’ll find toiletries from Appelles Apothecary, a walk-in shower and a long vanity with ample storage above.
Both rooms share a single bathroom, though a 2 bed/2 bath option is available.
An awkwardly-placed glass shelf in the shower area can be easily bumped, and may have been better placed a little further away at the end of the cubicle.
In keeping with The Residences’ self-contained mantra, a well-equipped laundry is also neatly tucked away behind double doors alongside the entrance. Inside is a top loader washing machine and dryer, plus an iron and ironing board.
Work
Those planning to do a bit of work will be drawn to the study nook at first, but the dining table is probably the better option, as the desk is a bit narrow and claustrophobic.
One bedroom includes a small study nook facing the balcony.
It doesn’t have the greatest lighting either, particularly in daylight hours, with the desk lamp a bit weak.
An extra powerpoint for those with multiple devices would be an improvement too, otherwise a phone call to housekeeping may be able to yield a multi-outlet power board.
In the living area though, the dining table provides ample room to spread out, with several power outlets within arm’s reach. Plus, you can enjoy an even better view of the city and surf.
The dining table offers better space and lighting for work throughout the day.
Alternatively, cosy booth seating at Atrium Bar on the ground floor of The Star Grand – a sister hotel also well worth checking into – makes for an excellent meeting or workspace during the day.
There is no Executive Lounge access for guests at The Star Residences.
Eat
Dining is an area where The Star Gold Coast truly comes into its own, with nine restaurants and seven bars scattered throughout the complex.
Among them is Nineteen at The Star, a glamorous rooftop restaurant and bar perched atop The Darling along with the modern Cantonese of Uncle Su, specialising in fresh seafood and yum cha; and Kiyomi Japanese, an upscale venue from renowned head chef Chase Kojima.
Uncle Su dishes up yum cha at lunch, plus an à la carte menu for both lunch and dinner.
The latter caught my eye. With its buzzing atmosphere and menu stacked with fresh and inventive takes on classic Japanese dishes, it’s the closest I can get, in Australia at least, to dining akin to what one may find on the bustling streets of Tokyo.
Deliciously fresh seafood and sashimi are the stars of Kiyomi's menu.
A set menu of nine tantalising dishes – hiramasa kingfish (yellowtail) with crispy potato, seared tuna with pickled mushroom and leek aioli, and an incredible Moreton Bay bug tempura, to just name a few – is the one to pick.
Paired wine and saki are available on request.
Although located in The Star Grand's atrium, clever design results in an intimate feels.
If you’d prefer to dine in, guests at The Star Residences can order room service via a QR code displayed on the television in the room.
Isoletto Pool Club, ready to help you hydrate during an afternoon poolside.
Breakfast is not included when staying at The Residences. So, you’ll either need to pick up some supplies to DIY in your well-equipped kitchen, or head next door to The Star Grand.
Harvest Buffet and the more casual M&G Cafe and Bar, located in the Grand’s atrium, are both good choices. The cafes of Broadbeach are within eay reach too.
Relax
An exclusive perk for guests at The Star Residences is access to a recreation deck on Level 20.
Clad in greenery and gazing out to the city, its signature space is a sprawling open air terrace, complete with multiple lounges and tables, plus a barbeque and two private dining rooms which can be booked for functions.
There’s also a pool flanked by sun lounges, as well as a spa, sauna, steam room and a fully-equipped gym.
For a more resort-like experience, guests can settle in for a few hours of relaxation in one of the cabanas lining Isoletto Pool Club on Level 6.
The deck houses a sundrenched infinity pool, bar and viewing deck overlooking nearby Broadbeach, plus ‘wet lounges’ built into the pool itself. This space is open to guests at all four hotels at The Star complex, including The Star Grand, The Darling and The Dorsett.
Enjoy the renowned Gold Coast weather at Isoletto Pool Club.
When it’s time to hydrate or snack, there’s a convenient (though rather pricey) bar alongside the pool.
The Verdict
Aside from some minor teething issues (par for the course for a visit so soon after ribbon cutting) the room and experience are both top-notch.
It’s more than just an apartment hotel, especially when compared to some of the other apartment hotels in the area. It’s in another league.
Access to the hotel’s bounty of dining and entertainment options, coupled with the exclusive deck and a view that hits you as soon as you enter the room, are more than enough reasons to check-in, relax and indulge.
Combine the room and lift keys into a single card, fix up those hinges in the kitchen, and you have an escape worthy of The Star moniker.
The writer stayed as a guest of The Star Gold Coast
26 Mar 2020
Total posts 65
You forgot to mention the lack of lifts and nightmare parking - expect to wait 10 - 15 minutes for a lift during peak hour check in and check out (this is no Exaggeration)
Also if your staying over a weekend - make sure you return before 5pm otherwise it will be a 15 - 20 mins queue to enter the car park with spaces extremely limited and absolute chaos in their car parks.
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