Rydges Hotel Gold Coast Airport: Deal stuck to sell accommodation tower to Star Group

A big change has occurred at the Gold Coast Airport complex, which a deal being done ahead of its masterplan redevelopment and the arrival of the light rail. FIND OUT MORE

The Rydges-branded hotel in the heart of the Gold Coast Airport precinct has quietly changed hands.

The hotel, built in 2020, was doled by hotelier John “Foxy” Robinson, who built it, to Star Hotels in a deal brokered by CBRE Hotels national director Wayne Bunz.

Star Hotels is part of the Star Group which bills itself as “Queensland’s largest independently owned and operated pub and liquor retail group.”

Mr Bunz said the deal was secured after an “exclusive off-market, invitation-only sale campaign”.

The Rydges Gold Coast Airport Hotel has sold. Picture: Supplied

“The Gold Coast continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and growth as a top-tier investment destination,” he said.

“The region’s thriving tourism sector, coupled with the irreplaceable location of the Rydges Gold Coast Airport Hotel, were key drawcards for Star Group, guaranteeing strong, consistent demand from both domestic and international travellers.

“This investment aligns with Star Group’s strategic vision to expand its footprint in high-growth areas and will allow the group to capitalise on the Gold Coast’s dynamic hospitality market.”

Star, which is not related to the Star Entertainment Group, owns six other hotels, 115 bottleshops and 50 licenced venues across the state.

The deal was brokered by CBRE. Picture: Supplied

Mr Robinson also built both the Darwin Airport Inn and Darwin Airport Resort.

The Rydges hotel was under construction when Covid shut down the tourism sector but work continued despite the closure of borders.

The seven-storey four-star hotel has 192 rooms, a restaurant, bar a, swimming pool and gym facilities, plus 10 conference and events spaces.

Mr Bunz said the Gold Coast tourism market was benefiting from a surge in inbound travel, with CBRE’s research tipping domestic tourism remain steady.

He said that would be supported by the ongoing expansion of Gold Coast Airport, with the planned addition of a retail village, health and wellness hub and conference & tech centre.

The Rydges Gold Coast Airport Hotel is at the heart of the precinct, which is set to be redeveloped. Picture: Supplied

The expansion, unveiled in March, shows how the Bilinga site will be transformed by the 2032 Olympics, with the new masterplan revealing both the short and long-term plans for the airport, which welcomes 6.5 million passengers each year. A heavy rail station integrated with the light rail is in the long-term plan, which it’s hoped will be delivered by the mid-2040s. Under the masterplan, airport bosses want the 2032 precinct to include:

● A taxiway upgrade;

•An expansion of the existing terminal;

•A new terminal forecourt and arrivals experience;

•Planned Gold Coast Airport Light Rail Station;

•Relocated public bus stop facilities;

•A multi-deck car park and transport hub;

•Airport hotel expansion, with new office development and ‘Airport Village’ food and retail offerings;

•An expansion of Southern Cross University; and

•Travel Centre development, including electric vehicle charging station.

A response from the federal government is expected in December.

Originally published as Rydges Hotel Gold Coast Airport: Deal stuck to sell accommodation tower to Star Group