Dorsett Gold Coast: Inside the Glitter Strip’s most glamorous stay

Laser-focused on instilling calm among the chaos, Dorsett Gold Coast invigorates before popping you at the foot of round-the-clock action.

Countless water sports, top-shelf restaurants and Australia’s most prolific theme parks – the Gold Coast guarantees a good time, every time. I live here and the options still astonish me, particularly in the city centre where Dorsett Gold Coast dazzles like a rhinestone-studded bikini strutting down Cavill Avenue. What I didn’t know prior to check-in, however, was just how peaceful a stay could prove. Scattered with spoils, Dorsett Gold Coast encourages mental and physical revitalisation while keeping you in the heart of an iconic holiday haven.

Where is Dorsett Gold Coast?

an aerial view of Dorsett Gold Coast — The stylish hotel is set within The Star Gold Coast’s leisure precinct.

I’m a southern Gold Coast resident so I take back streets to avoid a construction-riddled Gold Coast Highway (the city’s Light Rail project is set to wrap by mid-2026) and cruise from Palm Beach to Broadbeach’s The Star Gold Coast complex – home to Dorsett Gold Coast – within 30 minutes. If you’re coming from Gold Coast Airport in Coolangatta, expect an Uber to navigate the roadworks (or back streets, if you request) in about 45 minutes. Once I’m there, I’m across the road from the city’s most tempting retail therapy, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre , plus a short walk away a patrolled section of Broadbeach’s Main Beach, plenty of bars and eateries, and the G:Link light rail up to Helensvale where connecting to the city’s alluring theme parks is a cinch.

What is the style and character of Dorsett Gold Coast?

inside the lobby of Dorsett Gold Coast — The metallic-gold ceiling reflects Gold Coast glitz.

The lobby envelops me in signature Gold Coast glitz, including a partially metallic-gold ceiling with dozens of pendant lights, small gold-hued tables with plush leather chairs and gold-painted elevator doors. It’s bold yet restrained as marble check-in counters, soft marbled artworks and warm white walls bring the bling into the modern era. Dorsett Gold Coast is coastal-cool throughout, while never neglecting its notorious razzle dazzle roots.

What are the rooms and suites at Dorsett Gold Coast like?

city views from the deluxe king room at Dorsett Gold Coast — Take in sweeping Gold Coast panoramas from your room.

I enter Executive King Suite 1721, on the 17th floor, and immediately love what I see. While touches of gold continue through sleek light fixtures and a side table, the palette is significantly warmer than Dorsett Gold Coast’s grand entrance. A fluffy carpet nods to palm leaves in subtle blue and caramel (it’s far less intense than the rich ocean hues of the lobby’s statement rug) while the hotel’s tropical surroundings are also reflected in above-the-bed artwork. It mixes in soft pink walls and pops of turquoise to create a playful yet soothing space.

From my balcony, I can see the ocean between other skyrises and a crystal-clear outdoor pool (more on that below) dotted with holiday makers, while the other side offers glimpses of the Gold Coast Hinterland. Back inside, the bed is firm and sheeted to white downy bliss. The room is somewhat tight – just one drawer to unpack my belongings  but an enormous bathroom wins points for its ultra-spacious shower fitted with a rain showerhead (with excellent pressure) and wall-fixed Elemis body wash, shampoo and conditioner.

city vistas from the Executive King Suite Balcony — Level up the luxe at the Executive King Suite.

A generous vanity kit is spread in the corner of my single-sink vanity, offering a toothbrush kit, nail care kit, shaving set, shower cap, sanitary bag, sewing kit and more. As for creature comforts, I spy a Vittoria Coffee ‘Espressotoria’ machine with pods above the bar fridge, two complimentary bottles of drinking water, tea and tea-making facilities, fluffy white robes, slippers and a wall-mounted TV in the room, while unlimited wi-fi flows. My every need catered for means I seamlessly sink into total relaxation. And did I mention check-out time is 11am? No alarm necessary.

What facilities does Dorsett Gold Coast have?

the Executive Lounge at Dorsett Gold Coast — Indulge in a bespoke buffet breakfast in the Executive Lounge.

I take the elevator up two levels to find the Executive Lounge on level 19 – one of the highlights of my stay. Sliding in just in time for sunset canapes (though missing out on a coveted chair by the window to catch staggering skyline views), I pluck a few oysters, fresh prawns, cured meat cuts and soft cheeses off a marbled benchtop before a courteous team member pours me a glass of sparkling brut and I find a spot amid the crowd. As daily Canapé Hour (read: complimentary drinks) runs from 5pm to 6:30pm, I’m surprised by how delicious my bubbles are. There’s no skimping, evidently.

Additionally, once I dust off my nibbles, I tackle multiple sushi and fruit platters, a tier of mushroom tarts, and pork and prawn wontons. The Executive Lounge is a delightful bonus for guests who stay in an Executive room or suite, and it’s also home to a daily buffet breakfast which equally impresses. I recommend asking for extra mushrooms in your morning omelette – they’re next-level plump and juicy, and chefs go overboard in packing them in.

the Isoletto Pool Club at Dorsett Gold Coast — Enjoy sunny days at the sensational Isoletto Pool.

Then there’s that sensational pool. While the hotel’s famed submerged lounges had been stripped from the pool’s ground prior to my visit (I hear it’s due to planned maintenance), the Isoletto Pool Club remains a total vibe. I show it plenty of love in the morning before the sun gets too hot and a 12-metre viewing wall offers a great vantage point to the action below. There are enough pool lounges (and a scattering of highly sought-after cushioned daybeds) to satisfy thick crowds, and while the bar was shut during my visit, I was able to order snacks off QR codes placed beside seating throughout.

Elsewhere in Dorsett Gold Coast, there’s Jin Cafe and Bar located beside the lobby’s check-in counters, which opens during the day for tea, coffee and a small menu of toasties, wraps, breakfast cups and sweets. Don’t want to leave your room? Dorsett Dash invites you to phone or text through a snack order, spanning nuts, chips, chocolates, a cheeseboard and drinks, for in-room delivery, plus you can choose from limited menus crafted by The Star Gold Coast’s restaurants (external to Dorsett Gold Coast) for fast delivery. My pasta from Cucini Vivo arrived in less than 20 minutes and it was piping-hot delicious.

Other facilities include access to The Star Gold Coast’s Azure Spa & Fitness, which encompasses a fully stocked gym and day spa, plus secure underground parking for $20 per night.

Does Dorsett Gold Coast offer access for guests with disabilities?

It certainly does, including the Isoletto Pool Club which features both ambulant toilets and disabled bathrooms. Even better, the club is well-planned to ensure ample space as guests with access needs saunter from pool to lounge and back again. I saw several prams navigate the entire outdoor area with ease, and I also learned there was a wheelchair crane upon request. Additionally, Dorsett Gold Coast is home to six rooms that cater for mobility aids and wheelchairs, and feature fold-down seats in the showers.

Is Dorsett Gold Coast family-friendly?

the Isoletto Pool Club, Dorsett Gold Coast — Isoletto Pool Club is the ultimate kid magnet.

From newborns to energy-plus teens, kids and their parents were enjoying Dorsett Gold Coast wherever I looked, including the Executive Lounge which offered tailored children’s snacks. Impressive. Isoletto Pool Club is the ultimate kid magnet, however, as multiple shallow areas in the pool encourage safe splashing and gelato glistens on the food and drink menu. The best bit for solo travellers and couples? The communal spaces at this hotel are so big that even when little ones do invade, there’s no imposition on your Zen. As a parent who ditched the kids for an overnight of freedom, I mean solitude, I consider it arguably the highlight of this ridiculous restorative destination.

The details

city views from the Executive Lounge at Dorsett Gold Coast — Be at the centre of Gold Coast action in this ultra-stylish stay.

Best for: A slow stay in the centre of the Gold Coast’s action

Address: 5 The Darling Avenue, Broadbeach

Price: Rates start from $229 per night

From the moment you arrive in Moreton Bay, stunning natural vistas, fresh and tasty dining, history and more invite you to stay and play.

Untouched national park, mirror-like lagoons and endless stretches of beaches all make Moreton Bay experiences feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret Queenslanders collectively vowed not to tell. Yet it’s easily accessible. Explore further and discover hinterland farms, ancient rainforest, fresh seafood and more: there’s something on offer for every pace, interest and generation.

Just 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport, it’s hard to believe how underrated this Queensland getaway is. Here’s your ultimate guide to rediscover play with unmissable experiences in Moreton Bay.

1. G’Day Adventure Tours, Bribie Island

G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience should be your first agenda item in Moreton Bay. Take a 4WD journey through the sandy tracks of Bribie Island’s beaches to the still, glassy waters of the island’s lagoons. Glide over perfect replicas of paperbarks and fluffy blue clouds mirrored in the lagoon waters in your kayak. Listen as native birdsong echoes around you.

Then, it’s on to Fort Bribie. During the Second World War, these concrete bunkers – now slowly being enveloped by the dunes – were the last line of defence for Moreton Bay.

End the day with a sun-dappled beach picnic of locally caught Queensland prawns and famous Moreton Bay bugs. As you head home, watch the dolphins playfully dart in and out of the surf.

2. Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough

Right on the Scarborough Boat Harbour, you’ll find Morgan’s Seafood . Between the luxury yachts, you’ll also spot trawlers and fishermen delivering their day’s catch right to Morgan’s. The family-owned and operated spot is one of the best places to try the region’s eponymous Moreton Bay bug. Or, sample more of the area’s direct-from-the-boat seafood fresh at their oyster and sushi bar. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a day they’ve caught tuna.

Picture fish caught that day, prepared and then served to you as fresh sashimi as the sun sets over the unique silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains.

3. Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

On Bribie’s eastern coastline, you’ll find Woorim Beach : aka the closest surf beach to Brisbane. Find a place on the sand by the patrolled area or wander further south to find a quiet spot and while the day away between the shaded dunes, the pages of your book and the peaceful sound of rolling waves.

Ask any local where to grab lunch, and they’ll direct you to Bribie Island Surf Club Bistro . Tuck into a fresh, local seafood platter, just metres from the beach.

4. D’Aguilar National Park

D’Aguilar National Park is a 40,000-hectare slice of greenery that stretches from urban Brisbane right up to Woodford (home of the Woodford Folk Festival). The vast expanse of park is home to ancient rainforests, eucalypt forests and shaded swimming spots hidden within gorges and under waterfalls. The area is significant for the Jinibara and Turrbal people, with ceremonial bora rings and dreaming trails all found within the park.

Carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the park’s many trails. The Maiala day-use area is the perfect starting point for walks for all levels of ability.

5. Arcade Wine Bar

arcade wine bar moreton bay — Sit down to a menu inspired by Italy.

Opposite the Redcliffe Jetty and down a laneway, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar. Venture inside and quickly fall in love with Arcade Wine Bar , one of the region’s most beloved local haunts.

Owners Danilo and Matt have a combined 50 years of sommelier experience, which they have poured into the menu, styling and wine list. More than just a hole-in-the-wall wine bar, Arcade Wine is an enoteca (a wine repository), whose walls are lined with bottles upon bottles of Italian wine varietals from every corner of Italy.

Settle in with a wine and work your way through the menu inspired by Danilo’s native Italy: traditional meatballs, their quick-to-sell-out terrine, or a selection of Italian cheeses, charcuterie and arancini.

6. Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail

Away from the ocean, tucked in the hinterland, is the Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail . Perfect for cyclists or walkers, the trail was built to showcase the history of the Caboolture to Kilcoy rail corridor (last operating in 1964) and makes for the perfect family day out. The trail runs for 10.5km and connects Wamuran and Caboolture via an accessible path.

Pass through former railroad, bridges and shaded bushland as you cut from A to B. Plus, visit in winter for a detour along the way to one of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms.

7. Farm Visits

Beaches, mountains and history make an enticing combination. But Moreton Bay also brings hinterland, family-friendly farms to the table. Trevena Glen is one of the area’s most loved, with bunnies, ponies, sheep, alpacas (and more) available to visit for the kids. For the adults, book a horse-riding session and be treated to a grazing platter as you watch the sun set over the mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

At White Ridge Farm , find camels, putt-putt, train and tractor rides and all kinds of animals. The entire farm is paved, making it accessible for all.

8. Miss Sprinkles

Miss Sprinkles Gelato moreton bay — Pick your scoop at Miss Sprinkles Gelato.

An ice cream at the beach is one of life’s most perfect pleasures. While in town, stop by Miss Sprinkles for the locals’ pick of homemade gelato on the Scarborough foreshore.

The gelato here is made the authentic Italian way and scooped up just across from the beach. Or, settle in at their kitschy pink wooden tables for traditional gelato in the sunshine. Aside from the homemade gelato, you’ll also find tarts, pies and even doggie gelato.

To start planning your Moreton Bay trip, or for more information, head to visitmoretonbay.com.au.