A resort hotel by the sea.
The Star Grand is a large, polished resort hotel on Broadbeach Island, in the middle of the Gold Coast. Its 596 rooms look out over the Pacific Ocean or west to the green hinterland, and the hotel has been refurbished in recent years.
What sets it apart is how much is on site: a pool club reserved for hotel guests, a day spa and gym, and a wide choice of restaurants and bars, including a rooftop restaurant with skyline views. It's an easy base for a few days of sun, swimming and good food.
A hotel that rewards doing very little: pool by day, rooftop by night.
The beach at Broadbeach is a short walk away, and the G:link light rail connects the area with Surfers Paradise and the rest of the coast.
Broadbeach, between the beach and the hinterland.
Broadbeach is one of the Gold Coast's more relaxed neighbourhoods, with a lively dining strip, beachfront parkland and the Pacific Fair shopping centre close by. The hotel sits on Broadbeach Island, a short stroll from the sand.
Surfers Paradise is a few stops north on the light rail, Burleigh Heads is a short drive south, and the rainforest of the Gold Coast hinterland is around an hour inland.
Rooms with an ocean or hinterland view.
Rooms start with Superior Deluxe, at around 32 square metres, and step up through larger rooms to suites, including Club Suites with executive benefits and Ocean Terrace Suites with their own terraces.
The main choice is the view. Ocean-facing rooms look out over the Pacific and the coastline, while hinterland rooms face west towards the ranges, a lovely outlook at sunset.
Rooftop dining and Japanese flavours.
Nineteen at The Star, on level 19 of the neighbouring sister hotel, The Darling, is the rooftop restaurant and lounge bar, with long views over the Gold Coast skyline.
Kiyomi serves a contemporary Japanese menu, including a tasting-menu option, while a range of more casual restaurants and bars round out the choice for families and groups.
Pool days, surf and rainforest.
Some of the best experiences are on site; the rest of the coast is close at hand.
Isoletto Pool Club
A pool club on the level 6 leisure deck, reserved for hotel guests, with cabanas and skyline views.
Azure Spa & Fitness
Six treatment rooms, including a couples' room and an outdoor cabana, plus a well-equipped gym.
Surf & sand
Lessons for beginners and well-known breaks for experienced surfers, from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.
Hinterland escapes
Springbrook, Lamington and Tamborine Mountain offer waterfalls, rainforest walks and cooler air, around an hour inland.
