I have stayed at this hotel over 25 times. I never really wanted to try the restaurant as the reviews were mixed, and most hotel restaurant's are normally below par.
Apart from been given a sub standard table and enquiring about others, the restaurant was fully booked. Ironically, or rather obviously those better tables were still empty when we left.
I digress, The oysters were fresh and fantastic. For the main we opted for the Wagyu and the fillet steak. The steaks and peppercorn sauce were faultless and cooked to order. Unfortunately, the mash had a certain prepared warm up before serving taste and texture, which was shame, otherwise it would have been perfect main course.
The desert of Sticky date pudding was exceptional.
In summary, everything apart from the mash hit the mark. The service was attentive and efficient, and yes, I would return.
In fact I did return a few days later.
The service was terrible. The steak was still excellent. But, two grilled Prawns for $28?
Bottom line $236 for 2.
Second time $197 for 2
AJFrankie Noble
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September 14, 2024
We had a birthday celebration. At first the service was good, we were offered a complimentary sparkling wine. We ordered our meal… 10mins maître Dee told us the main lamb was not available, although our booking was 6.30pm? It’s still early? We ordered the steak which was average, the sirloin was more like medium than med rare. The service after getting our mains went downhill. We’d finished our mains, then waited over 30mins to get any service for drinks or dessert? Very disappointing.. we left & had dessert and drinks somewhere else. It’s definitely not five star dining! Broadwater Tavern in Hope Island do better steaks than The Fire Place! And forget trying to get out of the sanctuary cove area.. it’s hard trying to get an Uber. First Uber got lost! 2nd attempt went to intercontinental reception to order a taxi, only to be left waiting 20mins out the front. Went back to reception only to be told it happens all the time?! And suggested to bring your car next time? Are you serious? 3rd attempt an Uber finally arrives, by that stage we just wanted to get home! Sanctuary Cove is a Dead zone in the evenings.. apart from Destino & a couple of others open after 9pm. Very dissatisfied evening.
JDT
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August 11, 2024
Yikes. $700 bill for four of us and I left hungry. The bread was lovely. All four of us at the table had different entres, they were all awful. The prawns tasted weird and were so over cooked and stringy. The burrata was average at best and lacked any finesse, I could have made that dish at home and presented better.
The mains were better. I had the rump with chimichurri and it was nice, if a little cold, but well seasoned.
The biggest let down was desserts. Again, the whole table ordered something different and they were all well below average. I had the white chocolate mouse. It was not mousse it was a gelatinous pannecotta, the texture was terrible - like hard jello without flavor. My husband had the sticky date, it was so dry and the sauce was so burnt that it was bitter.
As to service, the wine menu was excellent, however it was really hard to get a glass. I waited twenty minutes for my glass whilst the others at table had theirs. My husband asked the waiter three times. Eventually the manager took over at our table- he was lovely and excellent.
The restaurant was really average, such a shame as I was really looking forward to something special.
Nic Wright
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May 24, 2024
This was my favourite restaurant on the Gold Coast until this evening. We took interstate guests to The Fireplace based on previous experience. We’ve dined at this restaurant many times.
But tonight the set course menu was basically a ‘rip off’. $90/head for 2 courses of low standard food, tiny desert portion of which we waited over an hour for and generally very inept service. The wine side was also lean and overpriced.
A dining experience in this restaurant used to be amazing and special. This is no longer the case.
The Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove has stooped to a new low. Very very sad, and I’m embarrassed to have taken guests there.
Try a pub meal instead. It will be more satisfying at ⅓ the price!
Damien S
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April 21, 2022
Attended for dinner on a Tuesday night. We arrived about 25 minutes early and we seated easily.
Ordered the eye fillet (medium) and the scotch fillet (rare) along with roast carrot and parsnips and the sauteed green vegetable sides.
Vegetable sides were very nice. The eye filet was also well cooked and very tasty. The scotch fillet however was overcooked (for rare) and the quality of meat was not good (poor enough for me to tell the waiter).
Finished off with the dark chocolate parfait which was very good as well.
Overall a nice restaurant although possibly a little too pricey for what it is.
I have stayed at this hotel over 25 times. I never really wanted to try the restaurant as the reviews were mixed, and most hotel restaurant's are normally below par. Apart from been given a sub standard table and enquiring about others, the restaurant was fully booked. Ironically, or rather obviously those better tables were still empty when we left. I digress, The oysters were fresh and fantastic. For the main we opted for the Wagyu and the fillet steak. The steaks and peppercorn sauce were faultless and cooked to order. Unfortunately, the mash had a certain prepared warm up before serving taste and texture, which was shame, otherwise it would have been perfect main course. The desert of Sticky date pudding was exceptional. In summary, everything apart from the mash hit the mark. The service was attentive and efficient, and yes, I would return. In fact I did return a few days later. The service was terrible. The steak was still excellent. But, two grilled Prawns for $28? Bottom line $236 for 2. Second time $197 for 2
We had a birthday celebration. At first the service was good, we were offered a complimentary sparkling wine. We ordered our meal… 10mins maître Dee told us the main lamb was not available, although our booking was 6.30pm? It’s still early? We ordered the steak which was average, the sirloin was more like medium than med rare. The service after getting our mains went downhill. We’d finished our mains, then waited over 30mins to get any service for drinks or dessert? Very disappointing.. we left & had dessert and drinks somewhere else. It’s definitely not five star dining! Broadwater Tavern in Hope Island do better steaks than The Fire Place! And forget trying to get out of the sanctuary cove area.. it’s hard trying to get an Uber. First Uber got lost! 2nd attempt went to intercontinental reception to order a taxi, only to be left waiting 20mins out the front. Went back to reception only to be told it happens all the time?! And suggested to bring your car next time? Are you serious? 3rd attempt an Uber finally arrives, by that stage we just wanted to get home! Sanctuary Cove is a Dead zone in the evenings.. apart from Destino & a couple of others open after 9pm. Very dissatisfied evening.
Yikes. $700 bill for four of us and I left hungry. The bread was lovely. All four of us at the table had different entres, they were all awful. The prawns tasted weird and were so over cooked and stringy. The burrata was average at best and lacked any finesse, I could have made that dish at home and presented better. The mains were better. I had the rump with chimichurri and it was nice, if a little cold, but well seasoned. The biggest let down was desserts. Again, the whole table ordered something different and they were all well below average. I had the white chocolate mouse. It was not mousse it was a gelatinous pannecotta, the texture was terrible - like hard jello without flavor. My husband had the sticky date, it was so dry and the sauce was so burnt that it was bitter. As to service, the wine menu was excellent, however it was really hard to get a glass. I waited twenty minutes for my glass whilst the others at table had theirs. My husband asked the waiter three times. Eventually the manager took over at our table- he was lovely and excellent. The restaurant was really average, such a shame as I was really looking forward to something special.
This was my favourite restaurant on the Gold Coast until this evening. We took interstate guests to The Fireplace based on previous experience. We’ve dined at this restaurant many times. But tonight the set course menu was basically a ‘rip off’. $90/head for 2 courses of low standard food, tiny desert portion of which we waited over an hour for and generally very inept service. The wine side was also lean and overpriced. A dining experience in this restaurant used to be amazing and special. This is no longer the case. The Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove has stooped to a new low. Very very sad, and I’m embarrassed to have taken guests there. Try a pub meal instead. It will be more satisfying at ⅓ the price!
Attended for dinner on a Tuesday night. We arrived about 25 minutes early and we seated easily. Ordered the eye fillet (medium) and the scotch fillet (rare) along with roast carrot and parsnips and the sauteed green vegetable sides. Vegetable sides were very nice. The eye filet was also well cooked and very tasty. The scotch fillet however was overcooked (for rare) and the quality of meat was not good (poor enough for me to tell the waiter). Finished off with the dark chocolate parfait which was very good as well. Overall a nice restaurant although possibly a little too pricey for what it is.