One of the Gold Coast's most iconic destinations continues to expand and evolve, as Jupiters Gold Coast (transitioning to The Star Gold Coast on March 30) remains focused on investing in the creation of a world-class integrated resort.

The initial transformation, currently underway, heralds a new era for the property and forms part of crucial investment in the region ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Six food and beverage offerings, 596 refurbished hotel rooms and a luxury poolside experience are among the newly-released features, with highly popular dining experiences Kiyomi, Cucina Vivo and Garden Kitchen & Bar already attracting a wealth of success.

At the front of the property, the Gold Coast's first six-star hotel in more than 15 years is also taking shape, and will form the centrepiece of the transformation. Comprised of spacious suites and rooms while also showcasing new signature bars and restaurants, private gaming rooms and butler service, the six-star tower will offer guests new levels of luxury and assist in driving broader domestic and international appeal.

Adding to the excitement of the current development is the addition of a new 200-metre hotel and apartment tower on Broadbeach Island. The 4.5 star tower is the first of up to five within a future master plan for the property as part of a joint venture with Queen's Wharf Brisbane partners Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium and takes the property's total transformation to a combined investment worth up to $850 million.

The Star Entertainment Group's Managing Director Queensland Geoff Hogg said the refurbishment of the existing facilities had laid the foundations for the future development, serving as a catalyst in providing the standards of product excellence, and guest services that The Star brand represents.

“The Gold Coast's reputation as a must-visit destination continues to strengthen with both leisure and business travellers, so we are working to create a broad offering that will help to support this well into the future,” said Mr Hogg.

“We see enormous potential for the region in terms of long-term tourism and economic growth, particularly as we near the Commonwealth Games, an event that will propel the Gold Coast onto the world stage.

“As a group we've put significant investment into ensuring we provide a premium product which will in turn, become a major driver in attracting vital economic benefits for the Gold Coast and Queensland tourism more generally.”

The six-star tower currently underway will open ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and the 200-metre hotel and apartment tower scheduled for completion in 2020, will increase the Gold Coast property's overall accommodation to almost 1,400 rooms, generate more than 1,000 construction jobs and increase Jupiters' workforce to around 2,300 employees once operational.

The long term master plan concept for the property provides future development options potentially worth multiple billions of dollars featuring:

• Up to five new hotel and/or apartment towers
• A world-class recreational deck with water features
• Tropical gardens, pools, and spa
• New entertainment facilities

LUXURY POOLSIDE EXPERIENCE

With the Gold Coast offering on average 300 days of sunshine each year, the property's poolside experience invites guests to indulge in that little extra touch of luxury.

Completed in December 2014, as part of stage one of the property's landmark transformation, the poolside experience was redesigned as a luxurious and relaxing oasis for guests.

Two lavish bungalows with outdoor spas offer a haven of comfort, providing panoramic views of the pool and bar. Equipped with spacious decks, plush lounge suites and stylish amenities to inspire endless relaxation, the exclusive Super Bungalows can be exclusively reserved for private use and provide the perfect retreat for small groups or families.

Nine discreet cabanas with deluxe chaise lounges also surround the palatial pool and include complimentary refreshments and amenities.

KIYOMI

Famed Japanese restaurant Kiyomi continues to go from strength to strength, with the multi-award winning venue recently awarded a prestigious chef's hat for the second year in a row. 

Opening in December 2014 under the guidance of Restaurant Executive Chef Chase Kojima and Chef de Cuisine Adam Lane, the restaurant gained industry recognition just six months after opening, claiming its first Chef's Hat at the 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide Awards.

In its first 12 months of operation Kiyomi won the hearts of the nation, being awarded Australia's Best New Restaurant at the 2015 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering National Awards for Excellence and Best Prestige Restaurant at the 2015 Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence.

The venue celebrates the experience of shared dining with an 'Izakaya-style' menu and a beverage menu including a wide variety of Japanese tap and bottled beers, sake, shochu cocktails and Japanese whiskies. 

Chase, who loves being creative and cooking with only the freshest produce, said the concept for Kiyomi was to have a restaurant that Gold Coast locals and visitors would like to come to, and come back to. 

“It needed to be cool and exciting, and have food to match the level of Sokyo in Sydney but with more of a relaxed feel,” said Chase.

"Kiyomi centres around the delicious flavour 'Umami'.  We celebrate unique yet simple flavour combinations which bring the natural flavours of the produce to life. It is all about using simple garnishes, simple sauces and simple combinations to create truly delicious dishes.”

Kiyomi is located on the Lobby Level and is open Monday to Saturday, from 5.30pm until late.

CUCINA VIVO

Launched in December 2014, Italian restaurant Cucina Vivo was the first indoor-outdoor dining venue to open as part of the property's landmark transformation, offering a stunning balcony overlooking the newly renovated pool.

Inspired by cliff-top restaurants along the Amalfi Coast, Cucina Vivo draws on traditional Italian food culture which celebrates good company, great food and beautiful surrounds. 

The centrepiece of the restaurant is a two-metre long wood-fired oven, with the property's own Pizzaiolo cooking delicious pizzas, alongside the menu which features traditional favourites as well as inspired interpretations of the classics.

Its authentic Italian cuisine, fresh ingredients and vibrant atmosphere saw it claim the title of Best Restaurant – Accommodation in its first year at the 2015 Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence.

The Lobby Level restaurant, which features a 16-seat private dining room, is open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday from 5.30pm and is also available for group bookings.

GARDEN KITCHEN & BAR

Embracing the Gold Coast's enviable climate and luxurious laidback lifestyle, Jupiters' largest new restaurant Garden Kitchen & Bar opened in January 2016 to reveal a quintessentially Queensland design.

Its striking design and stylish palette saw Garden Kitchen & Bar secure a place as one of seven Australian restaurants, and one of only two restaurants from Queensland, to be shortlisted for the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards' Best Australian & Pacific Restaurant. 

The impressive modern fit-out features a generous dining and lavish bar area bathed in natural light, an open kitchen equipped with Chef's Rotisserie, a semi-private dining room for more intimate celebrations, and a sundrenched deck complete with its own outdoor bar that overlooks the property's lush tropical gardens.

The indoor/outdoor dining venue was also celebrated as Best Restaurant – Accommodation Hotels at the 2016 Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence, having cemented its place as one of the Gold Coast's most popular destinations since opening.

A mouth-watering array of seasonal dishes are expertly crafted by Garden Kitchen & Bar's team of talented Chefs, utilising only the freshest produce and a selection of garnishes and herbs hand-picked from an onsite herb garden.

The modern communal dining area is complemented by an exquisite 13-metre indoor bar, serving a selection of handcrafted beers, wine on tap, a variety of signature cocktails and shared pitchers full of fresh flavours and local ingredients.

Garden Kitchen & Bar is located on the Ground Level and is open for lunch and dinner daily, from 11am until late.

ATRIUM AREA

Jupiters Gold Coast's culinary offering continues to grow and evolve with the opening of another two outlets, Mei Wei Dumplings and M&G Café and Bar in December 2016.

Boosting the property's gastronomic diversity, the new additions follow the success of award-winning restaurants Kiyomi, Cucina Vivo, and Garden Kitchen & Bar, and offer more relaxed dining alternatives for visitors and guests.

With a name that translates to 'delicious', Mei Wei Dumplings serves quality dumplings and noodles for dine in or take-away. A 2.6 metre viewing panel into the dumpling assembly area appeals to the senses of visitors and guests as chefs expertly craft fresh mouth-watering creations onsite daily.

The menu, which saw chefs introduce 120 ingredients to the property, features more than 50 unique options including Xia Jiao (Prawn Dumplings), Xiao Long Bao (Mini Soup Buns), and the Shanghai Noodle with Taiwanese Style Beef which is made from 31 ingredients.

Next door, M&G Café and Bar features a classic café-style menu offering a range of light and more substantial options for a quick and easy breakfast, lunch or dinner – perfect for those looking for a bite to eat, or a no fuss meal before a show.

The newly unveiled venues are key to the property's extensive atrium area upgrade, which includes a new-look Atrium Bar, refreshed Lobby Level and replacement of the 2,612 square-metre sail roof.

Mei Wei Dumplings and M&G Café and Bar are located on the Ground Level.

Mei Wei Dumplings is open for lunch and dinner daily from 11am until late, while M&G Café and Bar will offer breakfast from 6am daily, and an all-day menu from 11am until late.

NEW SIX-STAR TOWER

The Gold Coast's first six-star hotel to be built in more than 15 years is taking shape at Jupiters, as the iconic property continues work on the centrepiece of its transformation.

Comprised of luxurious spacious suites and opulent rooms, while also showcasing new signature bars and restaurants, private gaming rooms and butler service, the six-star tower will offer guests new levels of luxury and assist in driving broader domestic and international appeal.

The luxury development promises to continue to strengthen the Gold Coast's reputation as a must visit destination through the creation of spaces that cater to the specific needs of individual travellers, including:

• Luxurious spacious suites and opulent rooms
• Only the finest amenities and finishes
• Butler service
• New VIP gaming facilities
• Exciting new signature restaurants and bars
• High-end lounge bar overlooking the infinity edge pool
• True six-star service

Work began on this exciting new development in August 2015, and it is expected the hotel will be completed in time for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

NEW HOTEL AND APARTMENT TOWER

In another exciting step for The Star Entertainment Group, the Queensland Government has approved the construction of a new 200-metre hotel and apartment tower on Broadbeach Island.

The new tower is the first of up to five within a future master plan for the property as part of a joint venture with Queen's Wharf Brisbane partners Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium.

Subject to successful apartment pre-sales, construction of the new 700-key complex is expected to start in 2017 and will include an exciting new restaurant and bar concept, and a luxurious day spa.

An eighth floor recreation deck with ocean views will include a resort pool for hotel guests and quality residential facilities, while a range of flexible open spaces surrounded by tropical gardens will leverage the enviable Gold Coast climate and lifestyle.

The 4.5-star hotel will ensure a range of price points for guests, adding to the refurbished five-star facility and the new six-star, 17-storey luxury hotel tower underway at the front of the property.

Construction of the new hotel and apartment tower will be in addition to the property's current $345 million transformation which will see construction of the six-star tower continue to take shape ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The two projects will take the property's total transformation to a combined investment worth up to $850 million, and with a planned for completion date of 2020, will:

• Increase overall accommodation to almost 1400 rooms,
• Generate more than 1000 construction jobs, and
• See Jupiters Gold Coast's workforce increase to around 2300 employees once operational.