THE STAR GOLD COAST UNVEILS NEW HOTEL BRANDS – THE DARLING AND THE STAR GRAND

The Star Gold Coast has today unveiled the names for the two hotels located on its Broadbeach Island property, as the iconic venue continues its transformation. The new luxury suite hotel currently taking shape at the front of the property will be known as The Darling, while The Star Gold Coast’s existing hotel will now be known as The Star Grand. 

The Darling comes to Queensland 

The Darling at The Star Gold Coast is the second hotel in The Star Entertainment Group to adopt the boutique brand. The Darling at The Star Sydney is already an established and multi award winning hotel, and the first in New South Wales to be awarded a Forbes Five-Star rating – the most coveted recognition in the global luxury travel sector. 

At the helm of The Darling at The Star Gold Coast is John Autelitano, General Manager of Hotels. Mr Autelitano most recently led The Star Sydney’s hotel portfolio as General Manager Hotels, after a career spanning more than 20 years working with global brands across Asia Pacific, the Caribbean and the United States. 

The Star Entertainment Group Managing Director Queensland Geoff Hogg said John Autelitano brings with him an in-depth knowledge of luxury-tier hospitality. “John was instrumental in The Darling at The Star Sydney receiving its Forbes Five-Star rating,” said Mr Hogg. 

“We are delighted to have him join us on the Coast and leverage his expertise in delivering a premium product which will in turn, become a major driver in attracting vital tourism and economic benefits for the Gold Coast and Queensland more generally.” 

John Autelitano said The Darling brand signifies the incredibly high standard of luxury and service that will be delivered at its new Gold Coast location. “Properties awarded Five Stars from Forbes are considered the best hotels in the world and are synonymous with flawless service and facilities. 

By adopting the same moniker here on the Gold Coast, guests can be assured they will receive an impeccable level of luxury accommodation and service when they visit The Darling at The Star Gold Coast,” he said. “Even though this signifies an even stronger alignment between The Star properties, the Gold Coast venue will maintain a distinct, boutique design, with a uniquely Gold Coast spirit heavily influenced by its coastal location,” Mr Autelitano continued. 

The Darling at The Star Gold Coast will feature 57 luxury suites from 70 to 328 square metres in size, with butler service and only the finest amenities and finishes. New signature bars and restaurants and world-class gaming amenities will assist in driving broader domestic and international appeal, and the Gold Coast’s sub-tropical climate is taken full advantage of with expansive windows that let the natural light pour in. 

“The Darling at The Star Gold Coast has been designed as a stand-alone hotel, with its own arrival experience, amenities, and an alluring personality. Every aspect will be of an elevated standard – from bespoke fittings, to the service we’re able to provide our guests. 

It will be a level of sophistication the Gold Coast has never seen before,” said Mr Autelitano. The luxury hotel will offer nine suite types, including The Darling Suites, the largest at between 253 and 328 sqm and featuring two opulent king bedrooms, balconies from 80sqm in size, and all of the best features at your fingertips. Every entertainment indulgence has been catered for, with some suites featuring a billiard room, a karaoke room, or a private gymnasium. 

Existing hotel now known as The Star Grand 

Now identified as The Star Grand at The Star Gold Coast, the existing hotel has undergone an 18- month redevelopment to revitalise the property’s almost 600 rooms, one of the most comprehensive and highest value hotel refurbishments ever undertaken in Australia. An opulent Penthouse, lavish suites boasting spacious outdoor terraces, Executive Deluxe Rooms, and Superior Deluxe Rooms are among the enhanced offering, which are designed to align to the Gold Coast’s luxurious coastal lifestyle. 

By the end of December, The Star Gold Coast will also offer a refreshed property arrival experience, existing lift and escalator upgrade, additional meeting room space and new health and wellness facilities. The refurbishment taking place on Broadbeach Island also includes eight new food and beverage offerings, with a further five to open before the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Star Grand brand will also be adopted at The Star Sydney, with the newly refurbished five-star Astral Tower to rebrand to The Star Grand at a later stage, in a further symbol of the strong links between The Star properties under The Star Entertainment Group banner. The Darling at The Star Gold Coast Construction 

Facts 

• Custom-created Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC) bands, crafted using three-dimensional computer modelling, form the unique curve of the building. 

• On the top floor, a gravity-defying infinity pool perches 67 metres above ground and five metres beyond the side of the tower. 

• A new bridge, which meets the existing Gold Coast Highway and Elizabeth Avenue intersection, will form the main access point to The Darling. 

• The Darling Gold Coast will feature 57 luxury suites from 70 to 328 square metres in size. 

• At the top of the 17-storey structure will be a high-end restaurant and lounge bar overlooking the infinity edge pool complete with ocean views. The Star Grand at The Star Gold Coast Refurbishment Facts 

• 180km of electrical cable, which if laid end to end, would reach the Sunshine Coast.

• 50,000m2 of wallpaper; enough to cover the grounds of Metricon Stadium two times over. 

• 23,000m2 of tiles; the equivalent of 90 full sized tennis courts. 

• 8,000 lights, with all existing 35W halogen downlights upgraded to 10W LED downlights to provide 450,000 kWh in annual electricity savings. 

• 15,000m2 of carpet; the equivalent of 2.5 million playing cards. 

• And 7,500 lineal metres of fixed joinery; enough to reach from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads. 

The Star Gold Coast Redevelopment The Star Gold Coast’s current transformation heralds a new era for the property and forms part of crucial investment in the region ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Eight new food and beverage offerings, 596 refurbished hotel rooms at The Star Grand and a luxury poolside experience are among the already completed offering, while The Darling - the new luxury suite hotel – will form the centrepiece of the redevelopment. 

A further two food and beverage experiences, Food Quarter and Sports Bar, will also open in the coming months when the existing building connects to The Darling. Adding to the excitement of the current development is the planned addition of the first mixed use residential apartment and hotel tower on Broadbeach Island. 

Pending successful pre-sales of The Star Residences, the 53-storey tower could be the first of up to five within a future master plan for the property as part of a joint venture with renowned Hong Kong-based partners Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium. The existing refurbishment at The Star Gold Coast, and the build of The Darling, has already delivered 600 construction roles. 

The new apartment and hotel tower will create around 500 construction roles over the next three to four years. Together, the refurbishments of the existing property, and the development of both the new suite hotel and the proposed hotel and residential tower would involve an investment of up to $850 million.